Verbalizing the Count?

[DG]

Originally Posted by Freddy

We post-gamed it, agreeing on the clarity of using fewer words, skipping the "and" between the TWO's, and omitting the words BALL and STRIKE.
Partner on Thursday commented to me, "You're supposed to say "TWO BALLS...TWO STRIKES", not just the two numbers." He said, "That's what the book says."

Must have been a dull game to post-game this.

Throw that book away.

[SAump]

But there a preferred Fed mechanic for verbalizing the count?

I give everyone the preferred FED finger mechanics.
I am not there to discuss the count.
I might let the catcher know aloud between pitches.
I might let the batter know aloud before he returns to bat.
I might say it every now and then to clarify things for the pitcher.
I always say it correctly, if it is important enough to mention aloud, "Two balls, two strikes."
I don't want to appear rude and impolite to those who may not be paying attention to the game.
I was raised that way.

[jkumpire]

SA,

What is a FED Finger?

[SAump]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

SA,

What is a FED Finger?

Humor Alert

I prefer to signal three balls using a closed "okay" signal {pinky, ring and middle fingers up} over the FED "boy scouts" signal {ring, middle and index fingers up}. But I never really understood why the hand signal for three balls, two strikes was preferred over the hand signal for a full count. No one signals the count before the first pitch. Something to do with high handlebars or it means something ugly in a foreign country. I guess that confused or startled some of the participants.

End of Humor Alert

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by SAump

Humor Alert

I prefer to signal three balls using a closed "okay" signal {pinky, ring and middle fingers up} over the FED "boy scouts" signal {ring, middle and index fingers up}. But I never really understood why the hand signal for three balls, two strikes was preferred over the hand signal for a full count. No one signals the count before the first pitch. Something to do with high handlebars or it means something ugly in a foreign country. I guess that confused or startled some of the participants.

End of Humor Alert

Being so alerted, we're waiting for the humor.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting.

End of waiting.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Being so alerted, we're waiting for the humor.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting.

End of waiting.

Dear Mr. Umpire:

Please do not wait up for me. I'm running late tonight.

Signed,

Humor

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Being so alerted, we're waiting for the humor.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting.

End of waiting.

Does that count as the humor?

[BnThereDnThat]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Partner on Wednesday verbalizes the count, when necessary, as I've been accustomed to do, that is, "TWO...TWO", signalling with fingers, of course, with one hand for the balls and two for the strikes. We post-gamed it, agreeing on the clarity of using fewer words, skipping the "and" between the TWO's, and omitting the words BALL and STRIKE.
Partner on Thursday commented to me, "You're supposed to say "TWO BALLS...TWO STRIKES", not just the two numbers." He said, "That's what the book says."
I thanked him for his input, since I'm always willing to yield to "the book" in order to comply with Fed mechanics. But I can't find anything specifying one way or the other.
I know different officials have different habits and preferences, and I come down on the side of clarity with the fewest words necessary. But there a preferred Fed mechanic for verbalizing the count?

As for proper use of words behind the plate I would ask this..."In your last plate job, how many pitches did you miss?" If you say zero, we all know you're lying. If you say three, then worry about what caused you to get them wrong. The coaches, players and fans don't give a rat's behind if you use the word "and" or not when giving the count. Concentrate on what matters.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by BnThereDnThat

As for proper use of words behind the plate I would ask this..."In your last plate job, how many pitches did you miss?" If you say zero, we all know you're lying. If you say three, then worry about what caused you to get them wrong. The coaches, players and fans don't give a rat's behind if you use the word "and" or not when giving the count. Concentrate on what matters.

Rarely do I agree with a new poster, but you are absolutely right. What an asinine, anal thing to worry about.

[w_sohl]

What about these...

If the count is...

0-1 say O and 1
0-2 say O and 2
1-0 say 1 and O
2-0 say 2 and O
3-0 say 3 and O
1-1 say 1 and 1
1-2 say 1 and 2
2-2 say twenty-two
3-2 say Count is full or 3 and 2 or thirty-two

Mainly asking about saying twenty-two, I use it, never had a problem. I do not, however, say thirty-two, count is full is what I use.

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by w_sohl

What about these...

If the count is...


2-2 say twenty-two
3-2 say Count is full or thirty-two

Mainly asking about saying twenty-two, I use it,

I've heard those used. Usually by guys in need of a shave and wearing rumpled uniforms and a sweat-stained hat. They normaly show the count to the 12 year old pitcher, then to each dugout.

[jicecone]

Talk about making little things out of nothing. I once worked with a guy that believed that every time he signaled the count, I was supposed to also signal the count in the field. We are in the second inning and he calls time out to come into the field and tell me this. (true story) My reply was your kidding right? He said "No, I take this stuff very seriously. I then told him that based upon what I have seen of his strike zone so far, I didn't want to embarass him by showing the correct count.

We didn't talk the rest of the game and fortuanely never worked together again either.???????????????????

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by w_sohl

What about these...

If the count is...

0-1 say O and 1
0-2 say O and 2
1-0 say 1 and O
2-0 say 2 and O
3-0 say 3 and O
1-1 say 1 and 1
1-2 say 1 and 2
2-2 say twenty-two
3-2 say Count is full or 3 and 2 or thirty-two

Mainly asking about saying twenty-two, I use it, never had a problem. I do not, however, say thirty-two, count is full is what I use.

Don't say "Twenty-two," and don't say "Count is full," and definitely don't say "Thirty-two."

They're seen as lower-level.

[dash_riprock]

Publicly - numbers & fingers directed at F1. one-oh, two-two, three-two, etc.

Privately (to B and F2 only) same except 1-0 = one ball, 2-0 = two balls (same for strikes), 2-2 = twos and 3-2 = full. No fingers.

I've been to a bunch of NCAA clinics and no one has told me to change. However, it could be because they were too busy correcting everything else.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by w_sohl

What about these...
If the count is...
0-1 say O and 1
0-2 say O and 2
1-0 say 1 and O
2-0 say 2 and O
3-0 say 3 and O
1-1 say 1 and 1
1-2 say 1 and 2
2-2 say twenty-two
3-2 say Count is full or 3 and 2 or thirty-two
Mainly asking about saying twenty-two, I use it, never had a problem. I do not, however, say thirty-two, count is full is what I use.

Is there a scoreboard operator in the park? {HeHeHeHe}

Despite numerous attempts for conformity here after the OP, people who count twenty-two, or Full Count or 3 and 2 or thirty-two or 3 - 2 are not helping matters. Most of us conform by the time we get to two balls, two strikes. I will allow others to say 2-2 or 3 and 2. There is always going to be one in nine.

All nine are NO-brainers, but the those first five are especially O-brainers, and those last three will get mentioned in my post-game too. I do signal after contact or a swing and a miss. I try not to signal after a first ball or first strike call. I do not verbalize the count every single time, mostly w/ runners on base, or request. I never say never. I believe the umpire should not take on scoreboard or announcing duties. I believe it should remain quiet, like in golf, a moment for concentration. YMMV.