The Point , The hammer, turning your head from the field

[Fritz]

I'm a pointer as well - always to the right, and I turn my head when I do it unless it is a dropped third strike. Then I am pointing while tracking the ball, and following with a safe sign to indicate the dropped ball (or out if the situation dictates).

And this may seem petty, maybe because I keep hearing in my head my mother nagging "never point at someone," but I always try to make sure my "point" is about halfway between the 1st base coach and the home dugout - so my mother would be happy that I'm not pointing directly at someone!

My observation of "most" pointers is that their timing is too fast. No, when they actually vocalize the call is timed well, but they usually come out of their stance too soon. It is one of the reasons I dislike the point.

If you move to the hammer and think your timing is "rushed", then you are probably one of those guys that comes out of your stance too soon.

[johnnyg08]

This works for me, but maybe not for you...but when I hammer my strike, I try to remind myself to stay down while hammering...so I don't come up too quick...I'm not perfect at it by any means...but it seems to help keep my timing consistent.

[L.A. Umpire Guy]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

This works for me, but maybe not for you...but when I hammer my strike, I try to remind myself to stay down while hammering...so I don't come up too quick...I'm not perfect at it by any means...but it seems to help keep my timing consistent.

I know a guy who stays semi-hunched (from the GD stance) and hammers, and his timing is excellent.

I stand up to hammer, which I do more like a short right to the nose than an uppercut to the chin. But I pause a beat while I'm still down, and then stand up and pump just as I get stood up.

I was trained by a guy who said that you should never look to the right and point, which I was inclined to do because it's more visible to everyone involved in the game. But this guy was against it, so when it came time to call my first strike (and he was my base partner), I punched straight out. It felt cool, so it became my strike call. And then a punchout is the short right with a drop-step and a left hook.

A punchout should be a little fun, but quick and not too showy. (A kid just struck out, and he doesn't need his nose rubbed in s---.)

[johnnyg08]

(A kid just struck out, and he doesn't need his nose rubbed in s---.)

Sometimes when the hitter starts walking back to the dugout on a called third (yes, those obvious ones)...my called 3rd is very tame in an effort to not show him up. Others may disagree...but I figure he knows he took a cock shot...why rub it in?

[L.A. Umpire Guy]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

(A kid just struck out, and he doesn't need his nose rubbed in s---.)

Sometimes when the hitter starts walking back to the dugout on a called third (yes, those obvious ones)...my called 3rd is very tame in an effort to not show him up. Others may disagree...but I figure he knows he took a cock shot...why rub it in?

Well said.

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

(A kid just struck out, and he doesn't need his nose rubbed in s---.)

Sometimes when the hitter starts walking back to the dugout on a called third (yes, those obvious ones)...my called 3rd is very tame in an effort to not show him up. Others may disagree...but I figure he knows he took a cock shot...why rub it in?

There is another element at play though. Fans. They like the show on the strike out.

I have never heard a player complain about the ump "showing me up" on a called strike three. I have heard many say "I sure deserved that!".

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by rei

There is another element at play though. Fans. They like the show on the strike out.

The pitcher deserves a good punch out as well, in appreciation of his fine efforts.

[Jim Camp]

If you track the baseball with your eyes (not by moving your head) all the way to the glove whether on the plate or the bases and player has firm and secure possession of the ball you WILL HAVE PROPER TIMING. Jim Evans teaches proper use of eyes is the only way umpires will have timing. Any other timing is contrived.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by Jim Camp

If you track the baseball with your eyes (not by moving your head) all the way to the glove whether on the plate or the bases and player has firm and secure possession of the ball you WILL HAVE PROPER TIMING. Jim Evans teaches proper use of eyes is the only way umpires will have timing. Any other timing is contrived.

So, we're not supposed to count "One Mississippi" before we make our call?


Tim.

[kcg NC2Ablu]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

So, we're not supposed to count "One Mississippi" before we make our call?


Tim.

I use alleghaney.... mississippi is over used and I am a rebel ....

[RPatrino]

I use supercalifragilisticexpealidooucious... course i'm slow.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by rei

My observation of "most" pointers is that their timing is too fast. No, when they actually vocalize the call is timed well, but they usually come out of their stance too soon. It is one of the reasons I dislike the point.

If you move to the hammer and think your timing is "rushed", then you are probably one of those guys that comes out of your stance too soon.

One thing I've never been accused of is rushing my calls when working the plate. I'm down, track the ball, judge ball or strike and either announce 'ball' and pause before rising, or rise and verbalize 'strike' (or something like that) while pointing.

When I say I feel rushed it's because I'm hammering as I'm rising, not waiting until I'm upright.

[mick]

Originally Posted by waltjp

One thing I've never been accused of is rushing my calls when working the plate. I'm down, track the ball, judge ball or strike and either announce 'ball' and pause before rising, or rise and verbalize 'strike' (or something like that) while pointing.

When I say I feel rushed it's because I'm hammering as I'm rising, not waiting until I'm upright.

I verbalize [or not], then rise, then signal [or not.]

[JRutledge]

The only problem I have ever had with the hammer, it looks like you are calling an out when you just have a strike. And in my opinion that caused a lot of the confusion when the umpire in the ALCS with the White Sox and Angels and the "Did the ball hit the ground...." conversation.

I have only used the "point" and never had a problem missing plays.

Peace