This one is the closest to what I do so I will start with it.[*]called first and second strike: I use the hammer out front and verbalize the strike[*]swinging first and second strike: I use the hammer out front and don't say anything[*]called third strike; fist toward the pitcher, pulled back as the left fist replaces the right, verbalizing "strike"[*]swinging caught third strike, a "little" hammer out front, no words[*]swinging uncaught third strike; a "little" hammer out front, and I say "no catch"[*]swinging uncaught third strike when there was an attempted check swing; I point to the batter with left hand, say "yes he went", followed by "no catch"

I stopped using the 'hammer' at all, either for a swinging or called strike. It looks too much like you are calling an out, and ala Eddings, we know what that can do to an otherwise calm, well run game.

For all strikes, called or swinging, I use the point. On an uncaught third strike, I signal the swing with a point. If everyone is acting confused I will signal "no catch". I will not verbalize anything, and if the BR is tagged at the plate I will then signal an out with a hammer.

The only time I will verbalize, "batter is out" is on an uncaught third strike where the BR is not eligible to advance to 1st, and this is merely to avoid mass confusion on a grand scale.