OK, here's my 2 cents.
On both mechanics.
1) Did she go? - I always step out, point at my partner, loudly say his / her name (followed by) "Did she go". - I have never had any assignor or evaluator comment that I should do something different.
2) "timing play" ("unauthorized"
ASA mechanic)
Up until January of this year, I have always used this mechanic as did most everyone I remember. HOWEVER, in January, I was working an ASA sanctioned game and gave it to my partner in "C" and he shook his head no.
I gave him a quizzical look and repeated the signal and he again shook his head no. (I KNEW there were 2 outs - and I knew there were runners on 1st and 2nd
) He again shook his head no and pointed to the ASA on his hat.
We went on with the game and afterwords I asked him and that is the first I had heard about the signal "not existing" in ASA.....
I then inquired of a few others including a High School evaluator who commented that not using the "timing play" signal is one of the things he looks for when evaluating.
So this year, I have stopped using the "timing play" signal for HS or ASA games.
Any other tournament games, I start of not using it, but if I get a partner who uses it, I do also.
My philosophy there is, I really don't give a sh1t, let's play ball.
NCAA Games get the "2 out signal" from me
That is also my philosophy with those that use the IF signal and stick out one finger (to indicate one out - although I am always tempted to ask what the signal is with 2 outs!! - yuk, yuk, yuk)
I just do what I'm told.