Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich Ives
But why? What's the point (to borrow a phrase)?
|
The verbal is to notify those participants in the general area of play of the call. It is made in a timely fashion.
Don't know of any umpire that doesn't offer a verbal "strike" and in most cases "ball" call that cannot be heard by everyone in the infield and dugout.
The signal is for the spectators and players not in the general vicinity of the play that do not need this information in a timely fashion to make an immediate subsequent decision.