Dropped 3rd strike

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Stripes1950

Varsity Fed rules. Had a catcher last night catch the third strike on a bounce which would have been the third out if caught cleanly. I called and signaled strike three. The batter started toward his dugout. The F2 asks me, "Do I have to throw him out?" I remained silent. The batter continued to the dugout and the defensive team was coming off the field when the defensive coach awoke and told the F2 to throw to 1b. They did so and I made the out call. The batter was probably 10 feet from his dugout. Large playable territory at this field. Make sure that you don't assist either team in this situation. I couldn't make any comment to the catcher even though he asked me a direct question.

IMO, this is just like the Doug Eddings debacle. I think you should have signaled "no catch" along with a verbal "no catch." I do this every time now, ever since the World Series snafu. This lets both the batter and defense know the situation. It is not "assisting" either team, just making the proper call. I have noticed that more big league umpires are now emphatically signaling "no catch" these days.

[TwoBits]

What is the "no catch" signal?

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

What is the "no catch" signal?

The "no catch" signal on an uncaught third strike is similar to a safe signal. The PU steps back away from the plate while holding both arms extended to his sides parallel to the ground. Some umpires do this with their fist's clenched. This let's your partners know immediately that you didn't have F2 gloving the ball cleanly.


Tim.

[LMan]

This is a good idea, well worth doing in light of the Eddings episode. As you would call the batter out if he were ineligible to run to 1B on a D3K, then its just as important to let him know he's eligible to run.

[Stripes1950]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

The "no catch" signal on an uncaught third strike is similar to a safe signal. The PU steps back away from the plate while holding both arms extended to his sides parallel to the ground. Some umpires do this with their fist's clenched. This let's your partners know immediately that you didn't have F2 gloving the ball cleanly.


Tim.

I agree. I will use this mechanic in the future. I felt really uncomfortable when I made no call or signal on that call. Thanks. This forum has really helped me become a more complete umpire.