I couldn't agree more. How the catcher handles those borderline pitches is a critical factor in helping me define my zone.


Tim.

This thread's been up for the better part of the day and I've yet to hear anyone try to explain why we don't verbalize "out" on a routine swinging strike three.


Tim.

Well, what are you waiting for?:confused: I'm sure you're just dying to tell us!

Yes Tim, please enlighten us.

I have a person i work with all the time that says "Strike 3 batter's out!" all the time and it annoys the heck out of me.

Lay the reasons down on us so i know what to tell him to stop him from doing it! haha

If reds on black or top on bottom I prefer the catcher to stick it
but if it's inside of that it's a strike regardless of what the catcher does.

Agreed.

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/8/8_13_6.gifhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/8/8_13_100.gif

It's been ingrained into me that we don't verbalize the obvious. Think about it. He just went down swinging. He knows it, his teamates know it, the defense knows it, and if the fans are paying any kind of attention they know it too. I also feel there is an element of showing the player up when he goes down swinging.

This is like screaming "foul ball" when a ball is hit straight back over the backstop. It's kind of a pointless exercise.


Tim.

I beg to disagree .......................
 

I have had several batters this season get back into the batter's box after what I consider an obvious "Strike Three". So, I have taken to quietly verbalizing "You're Out". I don't like it, but it has moved the batters along.


Doug

Yes, at the lower levels they sometimes think they get 4 strikes! The same thing happens to me. I usually look at them and say "that's 3, man!"

Doug:

Do you do it only when they're trying to step back in after strike three? I think thats alright. What I'm talking about is loudly verbalizing "out" like you're ringing him up.



Tim.

That's right. I want to give you the strike, help me by doing a good job of catching the pitch.:D

Right. The guy i work with seems to think that there's a difference between "strike 3" (uncaught) and "strike 3 - batter's out" (caught). He does that to differentiate between the two.

I don't like it, but i don't know what to tell him to change it other than "it's not the proper mechanic."

I don't verbalize "you're out" for the same reason I don't say "take your base" on ball four. There aren't all that many things a palyer is expected to know, but the number of strikes you get is certainly one of them. But then again, I don't go all acrobatic on a swinging strike three as I see too many times.

I agree. Pulling the chain on a batter on a routine swing strike three smacks of pure Smittyism.


Tim.

Either way, it's very difficult, for an experienced pitch caller, to call a ball on the ground a strike. Especially when the catcher had to reach for it. (Catcher set up outside, ball tails inside, per original post)

BALL