Verbal Mechanics

[BigUmp56]

We've been discussing using the "no catch" verbal mechanic in the last couple of days and I thought I would ask what other verbal announcements you use. Of course I'm not asking about the obvious ones, just the little extra ones used in certain situations.

Things like:

"Off the bag"

"On the tag"

"Show me the ball"

"Safe, Ball's on the ground"

Do you use some of these?

What others do you use?

Tim.

[RPatrino]

A really helpful "non verbal" signal is the "thats nothing" signal, like the safe sign, closed fists.

For example, a base runner is stealing second, catcher raises up and "double pumps", as the batter is moving in the box. You might want to give the "thats nothing" signal, telling everyone that 1) yes you saw it, and 2) its not intereference. Saves a few arguments, just a few.

Bob

[DG]

Originally posted by BigUmp56

"Off the bag" - I do this with hand signals

"On the tag" - I generally point to where the tag was made with left hand while calling the out with the right.

"Show me the ball" - I have used this one, if unsure that the fielder still has it.

"Safe, Ball's on the ground" = I generally signal the safe and point at the ball on the ground.

Verbals I use:

"Yes he did" - on a check swing that wasn't (while pointing with my left hand and banging a strike with the right)

"No catch" - while signaling a safe, anytime it matters

"That's obsruction" - while pointing

That's about all the verbals I can think of.

[RPatrino]

Hand held in the universal "stop" signal, "thats enough coach".

bob

[David B]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DG
[B][QUOTE]Originally posted by BigUmp56


I used DG's post and added my take:

"Off the bag" - only need at first base and done with hand signals

"On the tag" - I like the non-verbal signals on this play

"Show me the ball" - only needed if doing what I call "small ball" - kids that don't shave

"Safe, Ball's on the ground" = I simplify this to SAFE! Then if needed I pont to the ball

Verbals I use:

"Yes he did" - I like to say "he went"

"No catch" - while signaling a safe, anytime it matters (good mechanic)

"That's obstruction" - while pointing. I know some guys don't like to use a signal but I like to use the obstruction signal still.

thanks
David

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

"No catch" - while signaling a safe, anytime it matters (good mechanic)

I humbly disagree. "Catch" and "No Catch" sounds very similar - there is no need to say this. I was watching a high school ball game a year or two ago. The back end of the double header had the better umpire on the bases. He was being critiqued by one of the state evaluators when I we both saw him do this mechanic. R1 and R3, ball hit to right-center field for a decent sacrifice fly. He drops back and lines up R1 with the fielder and yells "Catch" when the ball was caught. He doesn't signal anything and immediately starts moving with the runner for the play at second. The game ends and we are all walking through the parking lot - Illinois' best locker rooms - and the evaluator asks him why he announces the catch. He says that he does it to let his partner know and for the timing of the tag. I ask him if he does this on every sacrifice and he proudly says that it is his habit. That habit kept him from getting a decent evaluation.

I've worked with guys who will say "Ball's down partner" loud enough to let me know that a catch has not been made. The calling umpire always uses the "safe" signal to indicate that no catch has been made. In a heated game and a lot going on, I enjoy this banter more than trying to figure out whether he said "Catch" or "No Catch".

I've also witnessed high school umpires say "Ball Four - Take your base." or some such nonsense. I always ask them, "Do you say, 'Strike three - go sit down.'?" It makes as much sense to tell them what to do then.

[briancurtin]

"i got 3" or "i got third," the communication with a base umpire, is one i assume will pop up in this thread, but id like to hear from some people about their thoughts on this.

im pretty sure something along the lines of "i'm up, john" or just "i'm up" was the better option coming from a few discussions i've read on this. what do you people use?

[briancurtin]

Originally posted by PWL

Good to discuss at pre-game. Pro clinics teach to run up the line in foul territory, and shout, "I got third, if he goes." When you see the runner is going to third, cut inside to fair territory and shout, "I got third, I got third".

The first shout you can also use, "I got third if he goes, (insert first name). I prefer this one as not to get confused with player's shouts.

thats what i used for a while, but working older levels of baseball, talking about third can get confused in the heat of a play as a player-to-player conversation. ive had a few partners early on not realize i'm covering third when using that line. i mean they know the coverage (most of the time), but they cheated over towards 3B and looked surprised i was there. since my change to saying "i'm up, [name]" there hasnt been anything wrong or any mix ups.

also, i forgot about the first comment about pre-game. even when i mentioned "i got third" as the communication, it was sometimes still not heard/interpreted with fan noise and lots of people yelling "third." maybe its just me, but i feel that i am definitely loud enough on the field and it still caused troubles here and there.

[Edited by briancurtin on Jan 19th, 2006 at 12:41 AM]

[BigUmp56]

Maybe there's hope for me after all. I'm actually going to agree with PWL. You need to let your partner know when your taking third if a runner comes. I would also add to his statement that you should announce where you will be in a run down with something along the lines of "I've got this end."


I also agree with Windy. You should just say something like "That's down, or it's down." In expanding on that thought, I also believe you should choose your words carfully when you go out to cover a fly ball while on the bases when working a three or four man rotation. If you feel the need to announce that you're going out, you should just say "That's me."

You don't want to anounce something like, "I'm out, or that's mine." Both of these announcements have the potential to confuse the defense.

The last thing two outfielders need when their bearing down on a fly ball is an umpire clouding the play by yelling "That's mine."

Tim.

[Tim C]

We no longer say "I've got third" . . .

We use "I'm up!" and that eliminates, in our opinion, any confusing reference to the defense.

ANY verbal comments by the BU from "A" (when he is gpoing out) are never heard by anyone but maybe F9. We follow CCA mechanics and the BU is simply supposed to raise one arm into the air.

BTW, anytime I have a verbal signal (ex: "I got the line or I'm staying home!") I have never been smart enough to include my partner's name. As we do not have "crews" that work together more than once or twice a year I am not good enough to first remember who my partner is, then remember his name and then include him in my call-out.

Tee

[Edited by Tim C on Jan 19th, 2006 at 09:55 AM]

[DownTownTonyBrown]

Originally posted by Tim C
...I have never been smart enough to include my partner's name. ...I am not good enough to first remember who my partner is, then remember his name and then include him in my call-out.

But Tim, these guys are still young and can get up...

They are up...?

get it up...?

Where are they? Who are they? They're up though!

I sometimes take ibuprofen before my game. Sounds like they may have gotten viagra in their ibuprofen bottle.


Players probably stay clear of you when you're yelling "I'm up, Bill!" Don't let that guy get behind you.

Just adding a little humor. Tony

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by BigUmp56
Maybe there's hope for me after all. I'm actually going to agree with PWL. You need to let your partner know when your taking third if a runner comes. I would also add to his statement that you should announce where you will be in a run down with something along the lines of "I've got this end."

Just a small point of clarification -- you shouldn't (imo) announce where you will be in a rundown, you should annouonce where you are when you first get there.

[David B]

Originally posted by bob jenkins

Just a small point of clarification -- you shouldn't (imo) announce where you will be in a rundown, you should annouonce where you are when you first get there.

Was doing an evaluation last year and the PU was coming to third (on a rundown) and saying I've got third, when runner going to third made a great hook slide going to third.

PU was stuck making a call from 50 feet while BU had a great angle on the play and should have made the call.

PU missed the call.

Thanks
David

[Tim C]

PWL wrote:

"Why was he leaving home uncovered?"

Tee queries:

"What is the difference between the PU taking this play at third compared to the PU rotating up to take R1 into third on a normal base hit coverage . . . it appears that, according to you, the plate would be 'uncovered' in both examples?"

Tee

[David B]

Originally posted by Tim C
PWL wrote:

"Why was he leaving home uncovered?"

Tee queries:

"What is the difference between the PU taking this play at third compared to the PU rotating up to take R1 into third on a normal base hit coverage . . . it appears that, according to you, the plate would be 'uncovered' in both examples?"

Tee

Uncovered, not quite, when PU takes third, BU easily moves to back of the mound, prepared to take home if needed.

Once BU takes home, PU moves out to the infield for any other plays.

Anyway, I don't want my PU covering up the plate anyway, I want him doing something useful ... (g)

Thanks
David