Ball Four
 

Do you verbally announce "ball four", or do you simply say "ball" on ball four. I've been taught that by making the verbal announcement that it's ball four we can help to eliminate unnecessary confusion. I know that the game's participants and our partners should know the count at all times, but we all know that isn't always the case.


Tim.

i only say "Ball" on balls 1-3, I say "Ball 4" for ball 4 just to eliminate confusion by the batter who perhaps didn't know what the count was.

I say "ball 4". and same thing with strike 3 looking. other wise on 1,2,3 i say "ball".

"Ball FOUR."

#56, jpc and LLdan both say ball 4.

Tim C doesn't.

If this was a poll, it would be tied.:D

i say 'ball four', but as with other calls of 'ball', its really only loud enough for the catcher and batter to hear.

Baseball Canada wants Ball and # on each call, and Strike and # on each call. So that is what I attempt to do. Been working for 2 yrs on Ball and #, , I'm close to verbalising the vast majority now. for some reason this has been one of the trickiest habits for me to re-train.

The more I hear about Baseball Canada, the more I'm glad my ancestors stayed on this side of the border and fought the British.

"Ball four"
Sam

Ball!

It's not my job to tell you it's ball 4.

You tell everyone it's strike THREE, don't you?

Question based on OP.
If "ball four" is verbalized, do those same umps verbalize "strike three" when it applies?
Sam

I like "strike 3" :D

I hate "ball 4" :eek:

I like strikes and outs!

I guess it's not really our job to make sure everyone knows it's ball four, but it can sure help to avoid a $h1t storm if there are runners forced by the award.


Tim.

Do you mean you don't yell "BALL FOUR. TAKE YOUR BASE!" and then point to first? How's a batter to know he's just been "walked"?:D