plate mechanic

[Dave Hensley]

Originally Posted by pdxblue

I call ball, even if the pitcher throws it over the back stop. But, I agree that on a "close" pitch, you need to make it more emphatic. I suppose that is why I don't get a lot of questioning on my ball calls. I hear groaning sometimes though!

I disagree with the concept of calling "close" balls more emphatically. To me and many of the rats I've observed, It conveys exactly the opposite message to "he's confident in that call." It's more of a "wow that was close; it was so close I better call it loud and emphatically; damn that was close; hmmm, I wonder why the pitcher's looking at me like that; maybe I should have called it a strike...."