Swinging 3rd Strike Call

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

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


Tim.

Yeah, like the goof they had playing the plate umpire in Major League in the AL Championship final game. What a maroon!

[NFump]

What a maroon! Hey! That's my line!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Actually, it is Bugs Bunny's line!

[NFump]

I knew I got that from a good source!

[left coast]

Originally Posted by LMan

Ummmm, interesting philosophy, but that's not the sitch here. It clearly says 'a 3d strike that is caught'

Go back and read the post by NIump50.

[LMan]

Originally Posted by Carbide Keyman

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

What do you mean? They swing at strike three, and then get back into the box?

Id advise not changing good mechanics to suit idiot or clueless batters...

[LMan]

Originally Posted by left coast

Go back and read the post by NIump50.

ok, a multiple thread hijack

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by LMan

What do you mean? They swing at strike three, and then get back into the box?

Id advise not changing good mechanics to suit idiot or clueless batters...

Yes, sometimes little Johnny is quite clueless, which is why I will say something pithy, such as, "you only get 3 in this league" or "that's 3!!!" rather than point out the fact that he's out. Usually at that point the light bulb above his head will come on and he will finally get it.

THE VERBAL SWINGING STRIKE MECHANIC

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I'm not going to call a cockshot a ball unless the catcher completely bails out and lets me catch it. But pitches that are on the extreme edges of the zone should be stuck by the catcher to get those calls. Their coaches will even tell them that that's why the umpire didn't call it a strike. "Catch that and it's a strike, meat!" or words to that effect are often heard from the dugout.

Sometimes that's the coach's (nice) way of saying, "Call the pitch, not the catch, please."

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Sometimes that's the coach's (nice) way of saying, "Call the pitch, not the catch, please."

I've never had a coach ever ask why I didn't call a botched catch a strike yet, and if one ever does question it, I'll tell him it takes a catcher and a pitcher to make a strike.

I am talking about extreme borderline pitches which I was considering calling a strike, but the catcher made it look horrible and way off the plate. I just feel that the catcher should have made a better effort to help his pitcher.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Tim,

You can find out by clicking on the poll result numbers, i.e. the "3" for the 3 voters who voted to verbalize.

While I voted not to verbalize, there is one exception. On obvious swinging 3rd strikes, no verbal. When it is questionable to the participants whether or not the pitch hits the ground, and it is unclear, I will nonchalantly say "he's out" in a conversational tone. No big production, just enough to prevent any unnecessary problems. I do the same thing when 1st base occupied with less than two outs and an uncaught 3rd strike. Just a "batter's out" is preventative officiating.

Exactly, Steve. If he is out and there is any question, what possible reason could anyone have for not saying out?

Joe