Mechanics

[briancurtin]

• called first and second strike: i use the hammer and verbalize the strike
• swinging first and second strike: point to the right, head doesnt move
• called third strike: right hand flat (palm down) straight in front of me, then i rip it back and punch forward with my left hand, and verbalize 'strike three'.
• swinging caught third strike: point to left, followed by hammer out signal and verbalize 'out'
• swinging uncaught third strike: i take a step to my side and point with my left hand down towards the catcher, verbalize 'no catch', and point to my right while still keeping my eyes on the play. ive become better this season with this, from all of the discussion that came from the doug eddings situation

[Tim C]

" . . . swinging caught third strike: point to left, followed by hammer out signal and verbalize 'out' . . ."

I cannot say that I have ever, or would ever, verbalize "out" on a swinging strike three.

Your mileage may very.

Regards,

[pdxblue]

Originally Posted by Tim C

" . . . swinging caught third strike: point to left, followed by hammer out signal and verbalize 'out' . . ."

I cannot say that I have ever, or would ever, verbalize "out" on a swinging strike three.

Your mileage may very.

Regards,

It was bound to happen that we would agree on something!

I say "strike.......... three". Mik Hendrickson, ex pro umpire, and current PAC-10 umpire who does the training in our local college association tries to get guys to NOT even say "strike three", but rather just "strike", but to use a different mechanic for strike three.

fonz, there are already some good descriptives on how to do the mechanic, so I don't need to offer any more on that. What I will add is that you should really practice in front of a mirror. Look to make your signals crisp, smooth, athletic, and authorative. I give this advice to umpires that I mentor, and you can tell the difference between the guys that actually do this and the ones that don't. The ones that don't usually have sloppy looking mechanics, and are usually too "laid back", and don't look very authorative.

You need to watch other umpires do this, and figure out which style YOU want to try. But, be willing to try the one that looks best on YOU. There is nothing worse than an umpire that could look great doing a hammer, but goes out to the side, and vice versa. Generally speaking (and this is really just the way I see it....nothing more), I think shorter/stockier umpires look best doing the hammer, while taller/lankier umpire look better going out to the side. This sort of coincides with stance too though. Taller guys generally NEED to work out of the scissors, and certainly, if you work out of the scissors, you will always look better calling a strike pointing out to the side. Shorter guys generally work in the box stance, and I really think the "hammer" looks best out of the box stance.

Be willing to try both ways. Be honest with yourself on how each looks, and also get some opinions from other umpires who you respect the opinions of (and trust me, you SHOULD NOT TRUST the opinion of every umpire!!!).

Good luck.

[kylejt]

I disagree.

I like the Haaaaaaaaaaaaa!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by PWL

Hey Blue, what's the count?

Two balls and two haaaaaaas.............

Many pro umpires use the "Haaaaa" for their called strikes. I'm not sure how many "a's" to put in. I guess that's a matter of personal preference.

PWL, you should watch a pro game once in a while. You'd be surprised what you might learn.

[waltjp]

Mostly good advice here. I agree, calling balls and strikes takes practice and you'll eventually develop your own style. Do what you're comfortable with.

Timing is the real key. Don't be in a hurry. It was mentioned earlier - see the pitch, see it again in your mind, then announce the pitch. It will give you time to see those close ones again.

Also, in addition to practicing in front of a mirror (wait til the wife isn't home!) I'd suggest trying to find someone to run a video camera so you can review the film. Often time what we think we're doing looks totally different when we get to see it.

HRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by Tim C

" . . . swinging caught third strike: point to left, followed by hammer out signal and verbalize 'out' . . ."

I cannot say that I have ever, or would ever, verbalize "out" on a swinging strike three.

Your mileage may very.

Regards,

you know i know better than that tim, from reading your exact opinion that you just posted. it was a typo.
im not sure if this is accepted, or right, but i do say 'strike three' or 'three' loud enough for only the catcher to hear.

[DG]

Originally Posted by briancurtin

• called first and second strike: i use the hammer and verbalize the strike
• swinging first and second strike: point to the right, head doesnt move
• called third strike: right hand flat (palm down) straight in front of me, then i rip it back and punch forward with my left hand, and verbalize 'strike three'.
• swinging caught third strike: point to left, followed by hammer out signal and verbalize 'out'
• swinging uncaught third strike: i take a step to my side and point with my left hand down towards the catcher, verbalize 'no catch', and point to my right while still keeping my eyes on the play. ive become better this season with this, from all of the discussion that came from the doug eddings situation

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"

[RPatrino]

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.