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Originally Posted by SamG
Speaking as a fan, I don't understand how the left is the "balls" and the right is the "strikes". Even from the stands, I'm picturing how that looks to someone FACING the PU. From someone in that position, the strikes are on the left and the balls on the right... since you would verbally say balls then strikes, it looks wrong to me.
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I believe someone else has already mention call a strike with right hand, indicate a strike with the same. Of maybe, it is for the same reason we all read from left to right, so we understand. Not much is more annoying than an umpire who uses the wrong hands. I've seen teams go crazy over this.
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Did run into an PU at a couple tournaments this year who did it as a number... 1 & 2 was "twelve". 3 & 0 was "thirty". It was very distinctive. I just don't remember what he did for "no balls" .
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Yeah, I've done this, but only with close communication with catcher or batter. It works if they understand. If you get a silly look, just repeat the count in a manner they can understand.
BTW, because we all understand the number of balls is announced first followed by the number of strikes, it is not uncommon for an umpire to respond to a request for the count simply with numbers and not identifiers (i.e., one-two, three-one, zero/ohh-two, etc.).