Help on dropped 3rd strike

[shickenbottom]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

okay, I can see your point about PU and BU having two different thing...but only if PU has strike or swing and BU has ball or no swing...but what about your partner only signaling if he has a "swing" or "strike" a ball is a ball right? if your partner has ball who cares right?

If you are the base ump, you are only giving information on the catch / no catch. Whether the swing is checked or not is something entirely different. Don't confuse the two. On a check swing you only give information when asked, don't rule unless asked because now you are putting one team at an advantage. On those close ones that are possibly checked, a quick point down with a question of "Did he Go" should occur immediately. Then if you've got a dropped K3 you can rule on that.

The point of the open / closed fist is to subtly assist the plate ump if they get screened, which should be rare if not at all. If done properly as the base ump, no one knows you've done it except your partner who just glanced down with his eyes. Example, you're in hands on knees set, pitch is made, you're following the pitch also watching for ck'd swing, batted ball, ect. You see ball cleanly into glove, however, you see it bounce out and the catcher is on it quickly, you slowly stand up and hold your right hand next to you hip with an open palm toward home. It looks natural, and no one sees you do it except your partner.