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Fri May 28, 2004, 11:17am
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When I call the strike I use a sort of ML style: I get up, turn my head to right and indicate with my finger an undefinited point in the air.
I copy this style from a lot of experienced umpire of ML as Randy Marsh, Joe West, and many others. Yesterday I was calling behind the plate for a sort of LL game (9-12 years old). I made a mistake with a call: Full count, the batter foul tips into the catcher's glove. I called the strikeout but I shouldn't because the catcher dropped the ball on the ground so the scenario should call a foul ball with the same count. But I didn't see the drop because I was calling the K turning my head at my right side. At the end of the game, my clinician said to me "NEVER TURN YOUR HEAD AWAY FROM THE PLAY!!!". What do you think? 
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Fri May 28, 2004, 11:37am
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The younger the players are, the more the unexpected happens.
For players below the age of 13 on a 60' diamond, I would not completely turn my head. Try to keep your eye on the ball. But more importantly SLOW DOWN ! If you missed the dropped ball, you are calling your pitches too quickly. Especially on a 3rd strike, you have to wait until you are sure the ball was caught. Your supposed to be looking the ball all the way into the glove. If you missed the dropped ball, you did not wait for the ball to hit the glove before you started your strike move. Otherwise, you would have seen it start to drop, and the catcher scramble for it, as you were coming up. (but even that is too fast) For players 13 and up on a 90 diamond, its OK to be a little showy with your calls. But for the younger kids, the last thing you want to do is send one running back to mommy crying because the umpire did an MLB strike three punch-out move, that made him feel stupid or embarrassed. At least that is what I was taught when I was working the younger players, and I never had a parent angry at me for showing up their kid.
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Have Great Games ! Nick
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Fri May 28, 2004, 11:41am
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I used to do the same thing (turn the head to make the call). Three years ago, I adopted the method of facing the pitcher and using the "hammer stroke" (used in calling outs on the runners) for signaling the strike. My called third strike is similar to that of Ed Rapuano (pulling the bow while facing the pitcher).
I did it your way for many years but more and more, I read about people who missed plays because they turned their heads. I never missed anything (lucky, I guess) but I tried the "new way" and I can tell you that it is much better facing forward than turning to either side.
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When in doubt, bang 'em out! Ozzy
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Fri May 28, 2004, 12:30pm
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I announce ball or strike, stand up make sure the play is complete and then signal. This usually happens right after the catcher has released the ball back to the pitcher. I use this for a called strike only. Otherwise, for a swinging strike I stan up and just make an out signal to the right, less dramatic with no verbal. No need to announce the obvious. This method of not being in a hurry has help me stay down and see the pitch completely into the smack of the glove. I then take my time to stand up which gives me a second or two more to see if any action occurs. It will also help in making sure you don't miss that late swing, batter interference, throw to a base, etc, etc. See, I also gain a second or two because I don't have to look at myfingers as the change the indaclickercounter, because I don't use one.
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Fri May 28, 2004, 12:39pm
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I punch out even the younger kids 3rd strike if they take it without swinging. (and they are girls in FP Softball! - I know i'm infiltrating your perimeter here)... I've had a few discussions with umps and coaches - they like it. I've never had a complaint on my "sell out" on a took 3rd strike.
I say punch em out if they dont swing. If they swing just do a normal 3 out. most of all.. dont get impatient with your call.. watch! especially on 3rd strike. [Edited by wadeintothem on May 28th, 2004 at 01:41 PM]
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Fri May 28, 2004, 12:51pm
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In this post, the problem was one of timing. It's a fouled pitch that has the potential for being a foul tip -- that requires a catch and means that the umpire has to verify a caught ball before signalling anything. Even so, it's a third strike swinging -- there's nothing to be demonstrative about here -- I give an out signal about head high on strike three looking straight ahead even though on most called strikes 1 & 2 I do turn to the right.
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Fri May 28, 2004, 01:11pm
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This is what I do - I changed it this year because I missed calls as Klooking did. I wait for the pitch to come in and hear the smack, stand up, signal and make call. I had to slow it way down this year. I caught myself last year making a few calls before the ball crossed the plate. Whoops
As for showy, I punch out the kids that look at the third strike. I give a little one-two punch to the side. I have done this with all ages and never had a single complaint.
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Fri May 28, 2004, 01:13pm
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I'm and ASA ump just reading some of these baseball posts. Curious to know if there is a strike signal outlined in your rules book as it seems there are different techniques discussed in this thread? We have a specific strike signal in ASA.
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Fri May 28, 2004, 01:17pm
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I don't know if there is a set signal, I just do the basic point to the right side with 1 finger thing. As far as I know, called third strikes are just preference or something you do because it looks cool. I stole mine from a lot of pro's that I have seen.
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Fri May 28, 2004, 02:10pm
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Fri May 28, 2004, 02:14pm
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There is a proscribed mechanic in all organizations. But it's not like football where if you do a signal slightly wrong, people will misunderstand what you're signaling.
Even in ASA - you see a lot of different signals for strike or out. (Except, of course, when the spotlight's on!  )
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Fri May 28, 2004, 03:08pm
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Fri May 28, 2004, 03:09pm
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I think you just have to get the proper feel for your own position and strike mechanic, and take your time to make your calls.
I set in my scissors position.... with both hands resting on my thigh area.... the pitch comes in, I keep my head still and read it as it crosses the plate... I wait to hear the smack in the catcher's glove... then I use the OBA mechanics they like up here.... That is, as I am still set, I firmly bark out "strike!"... then I come up out of my set position, point to the side which saying "one!".... I do take my head away from the play, but I have never had a problem... just watch when there is a runner on 3rd.
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