Uncaught Third Strike Mechanic
 

PBUC is now teaching the following mechanic for the uncaught third strike:

1. Indicate strike with right hand pointing to the right, even when normally utilzing the "hammer" for strike calls. (New pro umpire candidates at PBUC are all using the hammer as their strike signal.)

then

2. Give "safe sign" while saying: "No catch"

By indicating the strike with the point instead of the hammer, there will be no confusion as to whether an "out" sign was given.

Seems like a good move-Never liked the hammer for a strike, anyway
 

That is why I never liked the hammer for a strike. Too confusing on dropped third strike. Not sure I like the safe sign and "no catch" either. No catch seems good but using the safe sign seems confusing and too busy.

A saw a D1 umpire use the safe sign in a game Saturday on a steal of 2B, when the batter was close to interfering with the catcher. I assumed he was indicating "no interference".

You'll see that whenever there might be something that the umpire judges to be nothing (nearly interference, nearly obstruction, etc.) It's the umpire telling the participants that he saw the play and made a ruling on it. Usually accompanied by the vebal, "That's nothing."

This is a good mechanic and seems to help stave off complaints and questions from the participants. I just started doing this about 3 seasons ago, and I found it very hard to adapt. Give it a try, and you'll see the decline in discussions over possible interference and/or obstruction right away.

I heard from an instructor at a clinic (when and where escapes me at the moment) that an easy way to distinguish the "thats nothing" call from a "safe call" is to use clenched fists on the "thats nothing".

I do not use this mechanic myself, has anyone else heard of this?