When to signal, or not to...

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by ggk

how about routine fly balls? do you guys signal anything. as a BU i used to give a very casual out signal, but a college guy got on my case for even that. he said that i shouldn't do anything unless there is some question - catch below the knee, etc.
if i'm PU and i have the ball i will casually tell my partner (who is watching the runner) that the ball was caught ("that's a catch, bill') but that is it.
i have some partners who scream 'catch' on every can of corn and i think it is a bit much. thoughts?

PBUC mechanic is not to signal anything on a routine catch, ect. I was working this year with one of the better umpires in the state (worked HS Division I chamionships, regionals, ect.) and he got on my case about not signaling routine outs when in B or C on fly balls hit to the outfield.

[TussAgee11]

So, if there is question, do something. Always signal outs, not neccessarily safes.

Thanks for entertaining my question.

[aceholleran]

Tuss, I agree on the "no safe" call.

I use the Aunt Tessie logic (she was a character invented by my dad). When even Aunt T. in the stands knows he's safe, then don't bother. Too many "safes", IMHO, look amateurish. On the distaff side, cans o' corn on fly balls need no "out" call either.

Yes, I give a pianissimo verbal on swinging strikes. Dave Hensley beats me up about this, as will some of our other august members. I believe every pitch demands a verbal from PU, excepting obviously foul balls.

I also add a little emphasis to an unchecked swing or simpering bunt offer. I point with the left hand and say "He went," but not too loudly, more like mezzo-forte. I try not to overuse this, but I believe this can be a very good communicator.

In general, as age and level of players rise, less needs to be communciated by arbiters.

Gang, I saw Tuss (U3) put on a great show this year on a tetchy fair/foul down the LF line. I was U1 and needed his input as I cut into the infield to watch B-r touch 1B. It was a key spot in the game, and, if I recall correctly, a fair ball here would have changed the complexion of the game. Mayhaps he overdid it, but in sitches like this, I like overkill better than diffidence.

I think this is a really valuable thread. I'd like to see more of our members chime in on what mechanics they use and eschew.

Ace

[SanDiegoSteve]

I like a sotto voce on swinging strikes.

[David B]

Originally Posted by aceholleran

Tuss, I agree on the "no safe" call.

I use the Aunt Tessie logic (she was a character invented by my dad). When even Aunt T. in the stands knows he's safe, then don't bother. Too many "safes", IMHO, look amateurish. On the distaff side, cans o' corn on fly balls need no "out" call either.

Yes, I give a pianissimo verbal on swinging strikes. Dave Hensley beats me up about this, as will some of our other august members. I believe every pitch demands a verbal from PU, excepting obviously foul balls.

I also add a little emphasis to an unchecked swing or simpering bunt offer. I point with the left hand and say "He went," but not too loudly, more like mezzo-forte. I try not to overuse this, but I believe this can be a very good communicator.

In general, as age and level of players rise, less needs to be communciated by arbiters.

Gang, I saw Tuss (U3) put on a great show this year on a tetchy fair/foul down the LF line. I was U1 and needed his input as I cut into the infield to watch B-r touch 1B. It was a key spot in the game, and, if I recall correctly, a fair ball here would have changed the complexion of the game. Mayhaps he overdid it, but in sitches like this, I like overkill better than diffidence.

I think this is a really valuable thread. I'd like to see more of our members chime in on what mechanics they use and eschew.

Ace

I think and teach that the most important thing an umpire does is often his signals. Players and coaches can't always hear an umpire (especially when there's a big crowd etc., )

However, I use the signal when necessary approach on pick off plays and other obvious.

But for a young umpire, if he wants to signal that's fine, I can get away with it while he can't.

But if a play demands a signal it needs to be there. Catch no catch always needs a "selling" signal especially in the outfield. (I've seen this happen in a state championship HS game that cost a team two outs simply because the umpire did NOT give a catch/no catch signal.)

But I've also seen guys who "overkill" every signal. Kind of like yelling foul on an obvious foul ball. I saw a guy on TV this weekend (LLWS) who was in LF flying like a bird on a ball that wasn't even close to being caught! Everyone knew it was a base hit so it demands nothing from the umpire.

Thanks
David

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by David B

I think and teach that the most important thing an umpire does is often his signals. Players and coaches can't always hear an umpire (especially when there's a big crowd etc., )

However, I use the signal when necessary approach on pick off plays and other obvious.

But for a young umpire, if he wants to signal that's fine, I can get away with it while he can't.

But if a play demands a signal it needs to be there. Catch no catch always needs a "selling" signal especially in the outfield. (I've seen this happen in a state championship HS game that cost a team two outs simply because the umpire did NOT give a catch/no catch signal.)

But I've also seen guys who "overkill" every signal. Kind of like yelling foul on an obvious foul ball. I saw a guy on TV this weekend (LLWS) who was in LF flying like a bird on a ball that wasn't even close to being caught! Everyone knew it was a base hit so it demands nothing from the umpire.

Thanks
David

Dave -

I agree except one thing. If I was the LF Ump, I'd signal there, cause it may be my only chance in my time at Williamsport to do something!

Guy was probably bored out of his mind out there.

[LMan]

Gotta go with Hensley on the swinging strike. A silent finger-point is all I use.
Im a little on the opposite on the checkswing: I loudly say "yes, he did!" with an emphatic point for the benefit of the coaches and F2, since they other wise will be howling for an appeal if they dont know unequivocably that I already rung him up.

Otherwise I am right with you, Ace, on your comments.

[Uncle George]

For me:

Obvious foul ball, a verbal "foul" (however I wait until it comes to a dead stop, hits fence, goes over fence)

Called strike: Simple "strike" voiced followed by proper arm mechanic
Swinging strike: Proper arm mechanic
Foul tip: Proper foul tip signal followed by proper arm mechanic
Check swing when batter goes: Point to the batter with verbal "yes he did" followed by proper arm mechanic
Bunt attempt strike: Point to batter with verbal "he attempted" followed by proper arm mechanic.
Usually don't do the "pull the string thing". Here's my reason. I don't keep track of big situations as fall as when is a good time to "pull the string" thing.
When on the plate and afly ball is my responsibility, a simple visual "out" or "safe" call", whatever the play calls for. I also verbal it loud enough for my partner to hear it.

When in the field, on a close play I may voice the call a little louder.

On a pick-off, if there's a tag, a simple safe/out, depending on how close the play is.

If there is no tag or tag attempt by the fielder, I don't make a call/sign.

On an obvious play by the defense, a simple out/safe, again depending on the closeness of the play.

Fly balls (my responsibility), a simple visual out call or safe call on a no catch/trap of ball.

I was once told by a veteran ump who has done several HS state tournament championship games and college ball as well, signal (either verbal or physical) something on every call.

George