[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Dan,

Just give the physical strike 3 mechanic of your choosing, then make a safe motion with your arms while saying, "No Catch!" Then, if there is no R3, trail the play up the 1st base line (straddling the grass/dirt) and watch for swipe tag/pulled foot. On uncaught 3rd strikes with 1st base occupied with less than 2 outs, simply give the physical strike 3 signal, with a verbal "batter's out" or "he's out" to avoid confusion.

Now, this is probably not the "official" mechanic, and other umpires will do it differently, and no doubt tell me I'm full of crap, etc. This is but one good method that works, and will not end up like the Eddings fiasco of 2005.

I would not give a safe signal in this situation. I would do anything. I also do not like the punch or "out" mechanic as my strike. I think the safe mechanic puts you in a bind. I would let the play go and if I clearly do not have a catch I will not "out" the batter. If a catcher is unsure, they should tag the batter and most of this is over. The Edding's situation was much more about what the catcher did than what the umpire called. If the catcher would have just tagged the batter, much of what had happen would have never taken place.

Peace