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Originally Posted by Don Mueller
It appears I misspoke. The actual punch out doesn't take more than a second or two, certainly not over dramatic.
Are you saying that pointing and looking at the batter during the mechanic is wrong? It might be, that's why I threw it out here.
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The only time you should point at the batter is when you say "yes, he went" on a failed check-swing attempt. I don't feel that pointing at a batter who just struck out looking is an appropriate mechanic, and can be interpreted as saying, "HA HA LOOK AT YOU, YOU JUST STRUCK OUT THERE BUDDY!" That might not play too well. With shaving age players, they will get pissed, and with kids, they might get upset and start crying because the mean old umpire was making fun of them.
I would wait to look at them until they keep standing there in disbelief, or start arguing with you. Then, by all means, feel free to stare them down. But not while you are making your initial call. It is just intimidating.
JMHO/YMMV