I had this happen once, in probably my 3d or 4th game ever. I am PU, count is 2-1, R1. Runner is stealing on next pitch (which was right down the pipe and not offered at), I call "strike!", but F2 pops up, fumbles the ball on the transfer to throw down and ball dribbles a few feet away. Runner, for some unknown reason, aborts the steal and returns to 1B.

Scoreboard goofball assumes pitch was a ball from all the confusion and dropped ball (I assume) ..it says "3-1". I signal/announce 2-2 and we continue, scoreboard is never right, anyway.

Next pitch is a ball. Batter thinks its ball 4 and starts trotting to 1B. He's about 10 feet down the line when I ask 'where are you going?'. Once batter figures out its 3-2 he comes back.....

F1 notices that R1 has drifted 15 feet off 1B during this (thinking he is being forced to 2B, no doubt) and is just standing there when F1 fires ball to F3 and picks him off :D

You can imagine the coaches 'conference' I had then :D


"But it was ball 4!" "No it wasnt, coach"
"But MY scorekeeper in the booth had ball 4!!!"
"I'm the only one on this field whose 'count' counts, coach'

..and so on and so forth :D

Confusion, I bet.
 

"Runner, for some unknown reason, aborts the steal and returns to 1B."

Now there is a coaching mechanic problem. Coach, you have no argument to pick. Complain all you want after a play because if it doesn't stop, I will eject. The rest is simply predictable when your dealing with confusion.

Just to show you, AGAIN, what happens when you go looking for problems to complain about. It usually turns around by itself in the "spirit" of the game.

I suppose whatever the UMP does right, the eval guy properly blames him for something too.

sorry to bring up the old thread, but i saw an example of the pointing with the right hand confusion. smitty behind the plate in my brothers game down in st. louis used the point for his strike call, except he pointed more towards going up the line than the traditional out to the side call. so its something and 2 strikes, batter half swings, and smitty comes up pointing (which looks EXACTLY like he normally does) and the batter turns around and walks to the dugout.

smitty PU barks at him to pay attention, BU said he didnt go. BR laughs and says he just pointed like every other pitch and PU muttered something like 'nuh uhh'.

Serious Pointers Only
 

I have repeatedly asked for someone to describe the "clincally" accepted strike mechanic. No one on this thread had even offered a suggestion. I'm sure they don't want to face the onslaught of criticism from the peanut gallery. But I did find some interesting stuff in the following thread.

PRESEASON JITTERS – NEED HELP (Pages: 1 2 3 ) PAT THE REF

In SUMMARY: There were many different nuances to choose from. Each individual has one or more preferences. Nobody has put a definitive mechanic up and a democratic choice among baseball umpires prevails.

Right-hand Pointers, Repeated
10) To signal STRIKE --> To EACH HIS OWN
I also recommend that you turn with your POINTER when the bases are empty if you expect to hit your TARGET.

I would like to add one mechanic I saw on TV last summer between TEAM USA vs. JAPAN series in Norman, OK. The umpire(s) would signal a strike with a high open-hand CHOP and close the hand into a fist. It was consistent from game to game. I am sure my short description does not do it JUSTICE.

I also saw that TEAM USA's pitcher, A TX product, wore matching white sleeves below the TEAM USA jersey. NO one said anything about it at the time. There were several close plays made at the plate and TEAM USA lost the game. NO one commented on the professional rules allowing the catcher to block of the plate away from the baserunners either. None of Japan's baserunners took an open shot at the catcher. Each of them took their chance running around the much taller catcher.

Timing play, one run scores.

Thanks for the tips.....
 

Right hand..left hand..does it really matter in beeperball?:rolleyes:
SAump..your the man:p
griff

Bob P...whats up?

Hey Griff!!! Are you a right hand pointer???

Bob P.

Alabama HSAA specifies either a finger-point or the clenched fist, ump's choice.

Bob...
I'm so confused...which is my right? Who is right?
I feel left out.:o
griff

Look..3 posts in 3 years..I'm exhausted

You're fingers are worn to the nubs. Where are you working this year? I'm working for 3 different associations. Hope the rain stops sometime before December.

Bob P.

Bob
My hs ball is with the MVAL( Fremont) and summer ball with CCUA and FUA, a little jc ball... Oh and everybodys favorite...TVMSBL(as few as possible):o Who are you with?


griff

My HS is with Mid County Officials and North East Bay. Summer ball is with Mark Beller's Professional Officiating group. I also do a few Men's over 35 games in Tracy.

Bob P.