One thing I thought of, and I teach to others, is on a check swing appeal, I verbalize "that's a strike/ball" whatever the case may be. then I immediately give the count again. My feeling is that you have your partners back and demonstrate control of the game.

This is the timing prescribed by the Alabama High School Umpire Manual.

That confirm's Tee's post, then. Thanks.

???????? What ???????

I'm not giving the count at 1-0 or 0-1.
If you feel the need to give it after 2 pitches then what stops you from feeling the need to give it after 4? Then good decorum requires you to show it at 3-2. Now you've given the count three times in one at bat. Now that could qualify for a dumb thing.
If you don't want to look like a first grader learning to count on his fingers after every pitch then after 3 and full count is a good rule of thumb.

We've gone 3 pages talking about base umpires and counts.
I think the 3-5 and after dead balls was the first real practical post for newer umps on this thread.

Maybe you should remember that not everyone on the board has been umping for 30 years.

2-1 count ,check swing appeal.

Me: John, did he go?
John: Yes, he went.
Me: That's a strike. 2 balls, 2 strikes

Anything else?

I remember watching Jim Evans umpire. He gave the count after just about every pitch. Kills your theory.

This is just proper mechanics, nothing more.

The line is, "Then it's a strike."

No point in reiterating the ball call, though, since it's what you called in the first place.

????
 

WHO really cares about SOFTBALL?

I thought CO ump provided a decent rule to work by for when to give the count. I prefer to give the count once the pitcher reaches 2 strikes, 3 balls, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2 or 3-1, and after that I won't announce it for another two pitches.

1. It's not a theory, it's a practice.

2. Are you suggesting that all umpires should give the count after every pitch? Sounds like you are.

3. Brand new umpires need a little direction on when to give the count or else they just might be popping it up on every pitch.
3rd and 5th is easy to remember, effecient and quite appropriate. Certainly not the dumbest suggestion on the board

Then you have never umpired in San Diego, California, the cheapo capital of the United States.

We have the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines next month, and this city was too cheap to hire 24 hour security for the course, and it was badly vandalized last week. Totally stupid. It could only happen in America's Cheapest City (but not to live in, mind you...).

What's wrong with saying the count when it's 2 and 2?:confused:

I'm with TimC on this one!

Brand new umpires who need direction on something like this need a lot more help than this.

Who cares if they give the count after every pitch as long as it doesn't seem clunky or robotic?

How so ?