Strike three, Ball four

[cbfoulds]

Originally posted by Carbide Keyman
I believe that some of our veteran members of my association do not subscribe to the belief that you should call out "Strike three" or "Ball four". The argument is made that you don't call "Strike one" etc., etc. and that the players should know what the count is.

I have seen two major league game in person this past week and watched several on television, and to a man the umpires have vocalized "Strike three" and "Ball four". I also was at a AA game and the PU also vocalized "Strike three" and "Ball four".

I would like some feedback from the more experienced members as to their take on this.


Thanks,


Doug

Don't know if'n I'm "qualified", but that hasn't stopped me yet:

"Ball Four", if I do say it [rather than just "Ball"], you won't hear it unless you are B or F2.

"Strike 3": Called - yessiryoubetcha.
Swing-&-Missed - nope, just the hammer or point. 'Course, I also don't say "Strike" for S-&-M 1st or 2d strikes, either.

FWIW: I FORMERLY said "TWO" on a called 2d, esp. if it was the pitch right after a called 1st, or was in the exact same place as Strike 1. Evaluators didn't like that: I don't do it any more.