Dropped third strike

[bluezebra]

When all you paragons of virtue are done sniping at each other, please note, there is no such thing as a dropped third strike. The proper terminology is, a third strike not caught.

Also, rule books don't include mechanics. There is no specific mechanic for a third strike not caught.

1..The B/R attempts to reach 1B.

2..The catcher retrieves the ball, and throws to 1B in an attempt to retire the B/R.

3..The BU makes a 'safe' or 'out' call.

Fairly simple.

Bob

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by bluezebra

When all you paragons of virtue are done sniping at each other, please note, there is no such thing as a dropped third strike. The proper terminology is, a third strike not caught.

Also, rule books don't include mechanics. There is no specific mechanic for a third strike not caught.

1..The B/R attempts to reach 1B.

2..The catcher retrieves the ball, and throws to 1B in an attempt to retire the B/R.

3..The BU makes a 'safe' or 'out' call.

Fairly simple.

Bob

Okay,

Dan asked a legitimate question, one for which the answer lies not in the rule book.

He did not ask "what is an uncaught 3rd strike," but rather asked for the proper mechanic.

He was then told by someone that there is no such thing in Little League baseball. That person was wrong.

Then he was told by the Grand Puba Of All Who Umpire that he should go invest in a rule book, where, of course, he cannot possibly find the answer to his question.

Perhaps maybe he would like just a good example of an accepted mechanic for this play. Hmmmmmmm?????

Dan,

Just give the physical strike 3 mechanic of your choosing, then make a safe motion with your arms while saying, "No Catch!" Then, if there is no R3, trail the play up the 1st base line (straddling the grass/dirt) and watch for swipe tag/pulled foot. On uncaught 3rd strikes with 1st base occupied with less than 2 outs, simply give the physical strike 3 signal, with a verbal "batter's out" or "he's out" to avoid confusion.

Now, this is probably not the "official" mechanic, and other umpires will do it differently, and no doubt tell me I'm full of crap, etc. This is but one good method that works, and will not end up like the Eddings fiasco of 2005.

[aceholleran]

Tonight, Eddie Rap did the "no catch" mechanic after signaling a swing on strike three. He did it it swiftly and compactly. IMHO, it was good, crisp communication.

I am biased here, but I thought Rap did a superb plate job on Sunday's NYY/BOS marathon.

Ace

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Dan,

Just give the physical strike 3 mechanic of your choosing, then make a safe motion with your arms while saying, "No Catch!" Then, if there is no R3, trail the play up the 1st base line (straddling the grass/dirt) and watch for swipe tag/pulled foot. On uncaught 3rd strikes with 1st base occupied with less than 2 outs, simply give the physical strike 3 signal, with a verbal "batter's out" or "he's out" to avoid confusion.

Now, this is probably not the "official" mechanic, and other umpires will do it differently, and no doubt tell me I'm full of crap, etc. This is but one good method that works, and will not end up like the Eddings fiasco of 2005.

I would not give a safe signal in this situation. I would do anything. I also do not like the punch or "out" mechanic as my strike. I think the safe mechanic puts you in a bind. I would let the play go and if I clearly do not have a catch I will not "out" the batter. If a catcher is unsure, they should tag the batter and most of this is over. The Edding's situation was much more about what the catcher did than what the umpire called. If the catcher would have just tagged the batter, much of what had happen would have never taken place.

Peace

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I would not give a safe signal in this situation. I would do anything. I also do not like the punch or "out" mechanic as my strike. I think the safe mechanic puts you in a bind. I would let the play go and if I clearly do not have a catch I will not "out" the batter. If a catcher is unsure, they should tag the batter and most of this is over. The Edding's situation was much more about what the catcher did than what the umpire called. If the catcher would have just tagged the batter, much of what had happen would have never taken place.

Peace

Yeah, like I said, there are other ways. Rut has just given another. But, the safe signal was used by Ed Rapuano, as Ace pointed out, so at least it's getting some play in the bigs.

[socalblue1]

The mechanic advised by Steve is taught at the pro scholls and is expeted in MiLB and in most NCAA conferences. (The older mechanic was to raise the right are horizontal and verbalize "no catch")

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by socalblue1

The mechanic advised by Steve is taught at the pro scholls and is expeted in MiLB and in most NCAA conferences. (The older mechanic was to raise the right are horizontal and verbalize "no catch")

Not in the ones I've attended ... and neither has the other fake mechanic mentioned above.

As an aside to LLDan - isn't it interesting that even your supporters assume you are about 12 years old (calling you kid and new umpire, etc, despite some of the assertions to your own experience you've made elsewhere.) That tell you anything?

Dan - what's the proper mechanic for signaling that the 2nd baseman is about to field the ball. That's the same mechanic you should signal for a dropped 3rd strike, if you are PU.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

Not in the ones I've attended ... and neither has the other fake mechanic mentioned above.

And just what pro school did you attend? I've read many of your posts, and nothing in them indicated the knowledge acquired at a pro school.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Yeah, like I said, there are other ways. Rut has just given another. But, the safe signal was used by Ed Rapuano, as Ace pointed out, so at least it's getting some play in the bigs.

The signals, in my opinion, are important but not as important as the verbal. The catcher and batter should get a verbal OUT when there is an out or no out.

This is a similar situation, is it not? A pulled foot at 2nd base at the beginning of an apparent double play. The BU should make a safe signal AND verbalize something. Would anyone suggest to remain mute in this situation?

Joe

[socalblue1]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

The signals, in my opinion, are important but not as important as the verbal. The catcher and batter should get a verbal OUT when there is an out or no out.

This is a similar situation, is it not? A pulled foot at 2nd base at the beginning of an apparent double play. The BU should make a safe signal AND verbalize something. Would anyone suggest to remain mute in this situation?

Joe

Joe,

Good points! The pro schools and most clinics teach to verbalize anything out of the ordinary or when something unexpected happens. I have found this to be very good advise over the years.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

The signals, in my opinion, are important but not as important as the verbal. The catcher and batter should get a verbal OUT when there is an out or no out.

This is a similar situation, is it not? A pulled foot at 2nd base at the beginning of an apparent double play. The BU should make a safe signal AND verbalize something. Would anyone suggest to remain mute in this situation?

Joe

The signal is made up. Use it if you like. I'll ding you if I'm evaluating...

I agree, however, on the verbal. If it's close, call it an out verbally. If it's not an out, or it's not close, say nothing.

[ctblu40]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

The signal is made up. Use it if you like. I'll ding you if I'm evaluating...

Its funny you mention a ding at an evaluation because just this past spring, I was dinged on an eval during an NCAA game for not using the mechanic described by Steve. I was told that the reason we do this is to avoid confusion on the field. I guess it must depend on what your evaluator wants.

I equate this to giving a 'safe' mechanic when a batted ball passes close to a runner but there is no interference. By initiating these mechanics, don't you think it heads off any questions like, "He caught that pitch." and "That's interference."

[LLPA13UmpDan]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

This is but one good method that works, and will not end up like the Eddings fiasco of 2005.

better not, I dont wanna earn the nick name Doug Eddings