[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by Justme


My high school baseball association (I work both SB/BB) has adopted the Voluntary Strike Mechanic (used at higher levels of baseball) for just this situation. Here it is:

In a situation where the batter is permitted, by rule, to advance to first base on a dropped third strike, the base umpire in a two man crew, or the appropriate umpire in a three or four man crew, may immediately and voluntarily, make a strike call IF the base umpire intended to reverse the plate umpire if the plate umpire has asked. This mechanic gives the batter an immediate opportunity to run.

Example: With first base unoccupied and a 3-2 count, the batter checks his swing and the ball eludes the catcher. If the first base umpire intended to call a strike on appeal from the plate umpire, the first base umpire may make the call immediately.

The mechanic is for the base umpire to raise his right arm above his head, fist closed, and loudly and emphatically announces “The batter went, the batter went.”

Do us a favor and keep such absurdities in baseball. This is the exact type of stuff (automatic appeal, automatic base on OBS, etc.) from which Fed softball moved away and, IMO, made it a better game.