Quote:
Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA
Not aware of any rule set which even suggests an umpire point toward an awarded base at any time.
|
For better or worse, on a HBP that needs selling, I will point to 1B (if I am awarding) or the batter's box (if the batter is staying at bat). I don't point for walks. I say "Ball Four."
I will point at a foot that is pulled, or a foot that was off the bag but made it in time for the force. I will point at the front end of a double play when I don't think I will have time to hammer properly and turn to 1B, or on a brush tag, or a check swing strike...you get my "point".
I don't point at anything routine, ever, nor do I point at coaches, even when they are getting ejected.
An old-timer who was one of my earliest mentors called the point our "six-shooter". He liked to remind us that after a half-dozen uses, it loses most of its effectiveness. When in doubt, keep it holstered. It may not be a book mechanic, but it is an effective timing and selling tool. With that in mind, I have not yet been given feedback from an evaluator that I point too often.