Thanks for all the tips guys, sorry I missed the earlier thread on abandonment. On my mechanics, I show a raised fist on any swinging strike, which is what I did in this case. I tried doing the "safe" call after that earlier in the year and found it strange - like I had changed my mind on whether the batter swung or not. I do remember reading though that this is now the accepted mechanic in the majors.

Think the best thing is to verbalize the "no catch" (using the same rationale about fly balls dropping in the outfield) and then signaling the safe sign.

I did not know, however, about the new 26'/dirt circle rule - sorry I missed that new entry into the rules. Since virtually all of the summer leagues I do have all dirt around home plate (a couple of grass infields), I guess I will call the batter out once he gets close to the on-deck circle to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Yes or no....would you answer a hypothetical question if I asked one?

Yes, or no.

:eek: To say "throw the FED manual away when you get it" is the same as to say "throw the MLB away when you get it" or any other ruleset.

When you work those games, use those rules, or don't work them! I work FED, ASA, USSSA, and a lot of other alphabet rulesets. I try to use them to the best of my ability as they are writen, not as I choose. I study those rulesets every day so that I know the different ones and know which ones to apply when I "put on the shirt". Since I don't work LL in my area anymore, I stopped taking the certification test every year and I am not up on the current ruleset for them, but for the rest, i look on it as a challenge to be current.

No, they're talking about the crappy FED Umpire Manual, not the rule book or case book. But thanks for playing.

Chill Charlie.

The FED Umpire Manual is NOT the rule set...it is their mechanics book.

Our association has replaced Fed mechanics with CCA mechanics.

:D OK, sorry, we use the "red" book and other "PRO" books.

We get our State Manual here, instead of the FED manual. I'd like to get a copy of the FED book, just to compare FED mechanics with Alabama State
mechanics.

That's a shame. It would look MUCH better in a +POS two-tone bag !!!! :D

In all the years I worked FED baseball, I had never heard of nor seen a "FED mechanics book." Our association probably threw them in the garbage before we ever got a chance to be brainwashed by them.:) Pro mechanics were all we were ever taught, plus the obligatory "delayed dead ball" signal.:eek:

The next one I get, I'll throw out in your direction.

Send me your address and I will send you mine. It is in NEW condition since I have not looked at it since it came. By the way, comparing to any other mechanics manual is a waste of time.