[SanDiegoSteve]

There is a huge difference between a casual punch out mechanic and the lazy-looking "I couldn't care less" example's that West and McClelland employ on a regular basis. Nothing wrong with a good old standing banger on a close play. Most professional umpires use it to differentiate between close and not really close plays. A very close or exciting play deserves a little more than a "ho-hum, I'm bored" style of call. I'm not talking about an old-time "dagger down through the heart" ridiculous theatrical production, but a standing fist punch on a nut cutter is still appropriate, IMO.