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

[kcg NC2Ablu]

I have in the past done this as my signal : in the modified gerry davis I use I see the pitch stand turn open slightly and give the "old school" point as I verbally call the pitch. I have been since told that I should be using the hammer... then told it didnt matter but to not turn my head from the field for even a second. Just to preface that this is in rgaurds to a 2 and 3 umpire crew.
Yet when we go out to break up the conference they still want us to beat the catcher back to the plate which leaves our back to the field and let our partner handle it from there.
I ask what is the MAJOR difference between the first turning of the head (the field is actually still in decent view) where as when I turn and hustle back I have NO view of the field.
I know the first response is going to be that the ball hasnt been put back in play yet... but I just want to understand the method behind the madness so to speak.

(I have changed to just the straight up hammer similar to Ed hickox)

[David B]

Originally Posted by msavakinas

time is out when you are running back after a conference at the mound...

if you point and turn head it's not a big deal, in fact most around here do it.

But i think pointing while looking straight forward looks kinda dumb in my opinion. People will tell you different things about this just go with what works for you and looks the most crisp.

I agree, people in different levels have told me different things, but I just don't think it's that big a deal.

Just what are you missing? Don't know.

Thanks
David

[SanDiegoSteve]

For the majority of my 21 years umpiring, I worked the scissors and pointed to the right for both left and right handed batters. I always turned my head with the point, and never missed a thing on the field. My peripheral vision never left the baseball, and my timing was such that if the catcher were to make a snap throw, I would be all over it. No problems, no worries.

That doesn't mean you should do a Dutch Rennert exaggerated, prolonged point to the side, where you are looking away from the field for a good 5 seconds like he used to do. Just a strike call and point, then back to facing front.

[Nigel Tufnel]

I agree with Steve. You can go the side as long as you have good timing.
You have all the time in the world to make that strike call, and you should use it to get that borderline pitch correct.

I am a hammer guy, so I get the bonus points on my evaluations for keeping my eyes on the field at all times.

BUT, I agree with above. As long as you are using good timing, you aren't missing anything by turning your head.

[kcg NC2Ablu]

thanks for the input!!! I agree with what alot of you are saying just wondered why the people in charge are saying what they are saying. I have been complimented on my timing several times so Im pretty sure there is no issue there..... but thanks for all the input

[ozzy6900]

It all depends on the game situation. Normally, I point and turn right for a RHB and left for a LHB. However, if R1 is stealing, I point right and keep my head on the play (likewise with R2 stealing). I tried the forward facing and the hammer and never liked either. I agree also with the "proper timing" school of thought.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

It all depends on the game situation. Normally, I point and turn right for a RHB and left for a LHB. However, if R1 is stealing, I point right and keep my head on the play (likewise with R2 stealing). I tried the forward facing and the hammer and never liked either. I agree also with the "proper timing" school of thought.

I point also, but right only regardless of the batter. With runners on base I'll concentrate more on keeping my eyes on the field.

I've also tried the hammer but felt rushed. I guess it's because my tendency is to hammer as I was coming up from my stance while when pointing I'd be fully standing before the point. I guess I could make it work for me with practice but I'm happy with the point.

Pace and Timing are the biggest factors that have always kept me pointing. I had someone try to move me over to the "point, no look" method and it just never felt right (plus it just felt odd). On the occassion that I switch to a SB field during the HS season and MUST use the hammer I always get a feeling of being a little rushed, but that may be a personal quirk.

I'm really with everyone else here, that quick look to the side isn't going to leave you "missing" something, and if your game awareness is where it should be you've got the outside boundaries of your vision watching for a breaking runner somewhere and if that happens you got a whole new bag of tricks and a point mechanic is moot because you hopefully have an out happening somewhere else!

[Rcichon]

but proper use of the eyes.

Always remember 'Proper Use Of The Eyes' and you won't miss a thing. Mostly.

[kylejt]

I'm a pointer, but I've never understood the need to look at my finger as I point, as I'm pretty sure I know where it is. I keep my eyes on the field, as that would be the logical thing to do. Now, if you have no runners on, fine, look wherever you wish to call your strikes. But with runners, you need as many eyes on the field as you can get.

If you've got a runner at third, and are looking to the right to call strike two, bad things could happen. They probably won't, and you can get away with it for many years, but I don't take that chance.

I'd equate it to having an indicator in the field. Not a big deal, but it could get in you trouble some day. And understand that some folks will think you look goofy too. (where is he looking?)

[mick]

Originally Posted by waltjp

I point also, but right only regardless of the batter. With runners on base I'll concentrate more on keeping my eyes on the field.

I've also tried the hammer but felt rushed. I guess it's because my tendency is to hammer as I was coming up from my stance while when pointing I'd be fully standing before the point. I guess I could make it work for me with practice but I'm happy with the point.

I hammer. Although I rise from my stance, I do not always move my feet.

[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.