dropped third strike- new mechanic?
 

While working an adult league game tonight with the former rules interpreter of my college association. He mentioned that in the minor leagues now they want the PU on a dropped third strike to say "strike three- balls live" or something to that effect. He mentioned this was started because of the playoff situation a few years ago on the controversial dropped third strike.

Has anyone heard this? Those with the minor league contacts could you possibly check on this for me?

Strike and balls in the same sentence. YGTBKMOA. :rolleyes: :)

can someone tell me how this ignore thing works?

It's "Strike three - no catch!" while signaling the strike followed by the safe signal is the mechanic taught by both schools and PBUC.

Some have used "Strike three - balls down", which could easily lead confusion on a pitch (Unlike fly ball a catch / no catch situation)

Thanks, exactly what I was looking for.

I have a question on this regarding dropped third strike.

It has been said it is an advanced mechanic, but as BU, should you confirm a check swing before being asked by PU during any continuous action?

As BU I will make a call on a half-swing without being asked only when:

1. PU does not immediately say he went, and
2. he went, and
3. he can run to 1B (strike 3 with 1B not occupied or 2 outs).

If any of these conditions is not met, I wait until PU asks me.

Me, too, but I add:

4. We've discussed it in pre-game.

As PU, I'll ask BU without me beign asked by F2 or the coach on any such situation.

As taught to this year's crop of new MiLB umpires:

Give the strike signal to the side, even if using the hammer for normal strike calls, to avoid the appearance of an out signal.

Then, while giving the safe signal, use the verbal, "No catch."

However, in practice, several new MiLB umpires have explained that most times the catcher has tagged the batter before the umpire can give the "no catch" mechanic. In that case, they simply go from the strike mechanic to the out mechanic.

This mechanic is many years old now. It was being taught in the pro schools starting about 7 or 8 years ago or so. Immediately upon seeing it for the first time at a AAA Pawtucket Red Sox game, I incorporated it into my own mechanics. It works quite well, but Garth is right. The vast majority of the time you won't get to use it because the play will be over before you have the chance. It took a long time between when I decided to use the mechanic, to when I actually got to use it.

Another thing that complicates this mechanic is that, quite often, you are opening the gate to let the catcher by on a passed ball. You also have to make sure you are clear of the throwing lane from the catcher to first base. That can delay the mechanic.

I also think it is far preferrable to the old mechanic that was taught years ago -- the, "unfinished out," signal. Essentially, you started an out signal with your hand going up, but stopped and held it unfinished without bringing down the hammer until after the out was recorded. Although that worked just fine too, there is something about the new mechanic that looks polished and proper.

I can say conclusively...that it is at least 10 years old.

Thanks for pointing out that this is not a new mechanic. I attended Evan's in '04 and did not recall this mechanic. Things do take some time to get into this part of PA.

Appreciate the input.

Accordiong to PBUC, the relatively new part is using the point to the side for the third strike, regardless of how one signals strikes one and two. When first introduced, using the hammer for the third strike was appropriate...no longer. It's too easy to confuse the strike sign with an out sign.

This came about after Doug Eddings' difficulties in the ALCS a couple years back.

Ah, I didn't think about that. I always pointed to the side for my strike mechanic. I always hated the hammer because it does look too much like an out call. I was ahead of my time. :D

Jim, that is exactly why I do not hammer on strikes also.
 

Several of my partners this past high school season hammered and one of my evaluators suggested that I use the hammer even though he doesn't. For some reason he thinks my voice, presence, etc. needs the hammer. I tried it one game but I am old school and went back to pointing for strikes one and two and then hammering/pulling the bow for called strike three. I simply say strike three without any extra emphasis and then hold up the hammer and say batter's out except on a swinging strike three that is dropped then I say strike three without any visual signal at all until there is a tag or a throw then I say in command voice "batter's out" and hold out hammer for a tag. I say nothing more than the "strike three" for a dropped third strike on throw to first unless base umpire does not signal-it sometimes does happen- then I say batter's out and hammer for the throw beating the runner.