dropped third strike

[David Emerling]

Originally posted by ump1955
Let me ask you a question. If the batter had stood still and not checked his swing, would there have been a question on the pitch? The correct mechanic is for the umpire to make a decision and then the correct signal for the decision. In reference to the infamous World Series call, I believe the ump had a faulty mechanic- something he himself questioned in a later interview. The strike signal should not be the same as the out signal. But whatever mechanic is used, the key here is still whether or not the plate ump thought there was a swing. If not, the pitch is a ball. If yes, the pitch is a strike. Want to avoid problems with coaches? Don't complicate things. If the ump thinks there was a swing, say "YES HE DID". If there is a question on the ball hitting the dirt, say "BALL DOWN".

Keep something else in mind. Ballplayers are also supposed to know the rules and something about how to play the game, especially at the major league level. We teach Little League batters to run and catchers to throw the ball if there any question on a dropped third strike. If the Angels catcher had simply stood up and tagged AJ, we'd have nothing to talk about.

I don't think I would ever use the term, "Ball down!"

If the ball is in the dirt and the batter failed to check his swing I would ...
1. Point at the batter,
2. Say "Yes he did,"
3. Signal a strike

... and leave it at that.

I simply wouldn't say "Out!" The absence of my saying out means; he's not out. I don't think there is any need for the umpire to get verbal diarrhea and engage in a play-by-play regarding everything that is happening. The nature of the play clearly indicates that the players bear some responsibility.

I called it a strike.

It is exactly as I've said ... it's a strike, and nothing more.

If he was out, I would have said so.

I've read where some recommend giving a Safe signal after the strike, emphasizing that the batter is not out. I could see that as a reasonable mechanic, also.

I just don't like the term, "Ball is down!", mostly because it is unusual and not common in baseball parlance with regard to an umpire's communication with the participants. It sounds more like something one umpire would say to another umpire. It also sounds too much like the umpire is giving guidance to the defense.

Just a personal opinion. I think it would probably work, though.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[officialtony]

I don't believe that just because the BR takes off for 1st when the ball goes into the dirt means it is a 3rd stikre. Many teams are taught to run to 1st at that time and let the umpires sort it out. If the catcher throws the ball up the right field line - his mistake.
I think the real concern occurs if it IS ball four/strike three and the runner runs past 1st base. A heads up F3 may tag the runner after he passes 1st. Now if you appeal to your BU immediately, and the BU says " no he didn't go ", you have ball four and runner is out on the tag. If you appeal immediately to your BU and he says " yes he went " and the runner has beat the ball to the bag but got taged by F3 after he overran the bag, he is safe. The immediate appeal allows the BU to make a correct call at 1st when all this happens in a second. If he calls him safe on the tag, then you appeal and he says " no, he didn't go ", he is now out on the tag - and the conversations begin. I agree 100% with Bob J. If you call ball as PU, immediately go to your PU if the ball ends up in the dirt. You're not throwing him under the bus, you are doing the right thing for the sake of the game.
Windy way of saying make the immediate appeal to your partner. Job done right.

[JJ]

If I thought the batter offered, I'd say, "Yes, he went". If I did not think he went, I'd say, "Ball" and IMMEDIATELY go to my partner, without being asked. The sooner the game gets his input the more smoothly things unfold. Lag time isn't good in this situation. I'm with previous posters who say the ball in the dirt isn't nearly as relevant, and will actually take care of itself as long as I don't indicate "out".

JJ