[EsqUmp]

The issue of pointing came up in another thread, but didn't want to clog up that conversation with this topic.

For the most part, I have used the point to indicate that a necessary act occurred to get a strike or an out. For example, I would point to the bat to indicate that the batter swung. I would point to a swiped tag to show that the defender did in fact tag the offensive player. I would point to a base to indicate that the defender either kept her foot on or got it back on in time for the out.

I would also use the point to indicate that an offensive player committed an infraction (out of the base path to avoid a tag, leaving early on the pitch, interference). The point would be preceded with either a delayed dead ball, dead ball or no signal at all, depending on the infraction.

I wouldn't point at a bat and say "she held up" so I wouldn't point to a base to indicate that the defender came off the base or that a tag was missed.

I welcome any discussion on this matter. I would be interested to hear what "you were taught," "what you do" and "what you think might actually be best, despite what you may have been taught or what you currently do."

Thanks!