6.02 (a) (c)

[GarthB]

While working on a story for the paid portion of this site (don't worry, I don't try to recruit new subscribers...I doubt any of you would find anything I have to say to be of any interest), I was speaking with some people at the proschools. They described a new "approved" mechanic for 6.02 (a)(c) that is being taught this year, reflecting the rule change.

For starters, there is no "directed" pitch. There is now an "automatic strike" and the mechanic is:

The batter is given two verbal warnings to take his place in the box. If he still refuses, PU then calls "TIME". With his right hand he first points to the appropriate batter's box (not the batter) and announces "That's a strike". He then signals with his usual strike mechanic and announces the new count.

If the automatic strike was strike three, he simply says, "That's strike three." He does not use a strike three mechanic. (Since the batter is already pissed at this point, no sense in rubbing it in.)

Interesting.