[Steve M]

I had a batter this weekend in one of my plate games who wasn't aware, so I thought I'd pass it along here. I was a bit amused - more so after a few beers that evening.
I am not one who announces "Ball Four, take your base.". Each "Ball" is said with the same intensity, same inflection & all that. And the only pitch that is said differently is a called third strike. I'll announce the count when something - walk or out - could happen as a result of the next pitch or when something has happened (steal, pick-off, ...). But they all sound pretty much the same.
This weekend I had a batter who had heard my "Three Balls, One Strike" announcement. The next pitch was "Ball". She turned around and looked at her 3B coach to get whatever sign she was to get. The coach looked kind of puzzled, but gave her a sign and she stepped back in. Before the catcher could give a sign from her coach, I announced "Four Balls, One Strike". The look on her face could have been on one of those "priceless" ads.
These were high schooled aged players - varsity or better skill level.