The Official Forum - Left handed umpires mechanics

The Official Forum (https://forum.officiating.com/)

- Baseball (https://forum.officiating.com/baseball/)

- - Left handed umpires mechanics (https://forum.officiating.com/baseball/35-left-handed-umpires-mechanics.html)

Are the mechanics of baseball umpires different for left handed umpires (called 3rd strikes and things of that nature)? Thanks for the information.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Johnny C:
Are the mechanics of baseball umpires different for left handed umpires (called 3rd strikes and things of that nature)? Thanks for the information.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No.

For signals between umpires (number of outs, coverage, rotation, etc.) it doesn't really matter what hand you use.

For signals to the players / coaches / fans (out, strike, giving the count), it should be consistent.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Johnny C:
Are the mechanics of baseball umpires different for left handed umpires (called 3rd strikes and things of that nature)? Thanks for the information.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I once heard a trainer tell a student, "There are no lefthanded umpires".

1. Right hand = Strikes - Outs.
2. Left hand = Balls.

Same for all so the fans, for whom the signals where really created have a consistent set of signals.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by bob jenkins:
No.

For signals between umpires (number of outs, coverage, rotation, etc.) it doesn't really matter what hand you use.

For signals to the players / coaches / fans (out, strike, giving the count), it should be consistent.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bob:

What you say is accurate, but I've always taught that signals should be with the left hand if there is any possibility the crowd/scoreboard keeper, etc., will misunderstand.

Left hand on HBP. for example, because if you point with the right they might argue you actually called a strike, in which case the batter stays in the box.

I ALWAYS signalled the number of outs with my LEFT hand.

Naturally, outs and strikes are right-handed calls, unless you're that NCAA umpire who calls in about 500 CWS games and who didn't have a right arm.

------------------
Papa C
Editor, eUmpire