[greymule]

IrishMafia certainly knows all the signals. I guess they are universal, and I suspect he sees them often. I did see some umps from the Jersey shore indicating "flat" by extending the right hand with the fist straight out to the side (like the obstruction sign). We give the "Egyptian" sign. In fact, virtually every umpire in our two-county territory gives those signals, and the players at this point expect them. One guy, whom the players often cite as the area's best ball-and-strike man, routinely announces every close pitch: short, deep, inside, outside short, deep out, plate, etc.

In baseball, modified pitch, or fast pitch, I just say "ball" or "strike." But as for slow pitch, though I admit the signals are contrary to official mechanics, they have become part of the game (at least in New Jersey). Not that an ump who just said "ball" or "strike" would have a problem—the players would just be asking, "Where was it?" on the close pitches.