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Originally Posted by TussAgee11
What I do, and this is in accordance with other MLB umps, is hammer it in if it is caught, and give a low verbal to the catcher saying "catch".
If the ball hits the dirt, give a safe sign (before any strike is indicated). Also verbalize no catch so the batter and catcher can know what you have called.
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I'll add a comment on the "ball in the dirt" call.
As described by a MLB umpire addressing our local association, here is a little twist on the uncaught third strike play. First point: always signal the strike. If you are normally a hammerin' kind of guy (hammer signal on strikes), on this play use a point to first signal the strike, then do your verbal "no catch" and give the safe signal.
In fact, more than just a typical point, he demonstrated an exagerated and prolonged point, holding the right arm straight out to the side a bit longer than you pointer's would normally point a strike.
This clearly differentiates between a "strike" signal and a hammer "out" signal. And the reason he gave us for this method was the Doug Eddings play.
As I recall that play, Eddings did not use a point to signal the strike- he made a hammer signal. In post gamme interviews and explanations, Eddings was pressed about having signalled the batter out (hammer). He explained that was his normal strike signal and he was merely signalling the strike.
Hence the "point this one" mechanic. The umpire that realyed this to our group did so in the spring following Eddings call in the ALCS, and noted that this mechanic was devised to specifically address such a situation.