why is the hammer strike taking over?

[ozzy6900]

Called strike - Crisp turn & point to right for RHB, left for LHB with verbal.

Exception: R1, F2 coming out of the crouch for a throw down - Face forward and point to the right - all batters.

Swinging Strike - Casual point to right for RHB, left for LHB

Called 3rd Strike - Face forward, right hand extended then "ripping the book".

Third Strike Not Caught - Pumping point to right for all batters while keeping eyes on the ball.


As far as training new umpires, I train with what is required by the Association at the time. Right now, they want all the recruits to us the hammer and face forward, so be it.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by bniu

Does anyone know why the hammer is being used more widely in baseball? I'm an old school guy and I feel that strikes should be exclusively signaled with the point and the hammer should be reserved exclusively for outs. And besides, doesn't everyone remember the doug eddings controversy?

That contorversy has nothing to do with using the hammer or the point and everything to do with not making a clear "no catch" (or "balls on the ground") call *after* the strike.

[JPaco54]

Now I am really confused as to what is right. I guess from these posts it depends on your local association. Two years ago when I stated we were taught the Hammer for all strikes, called, swinging and dropped 3rd strike. The swinging strike is a more casual hammer no verbal, called third strike is a sharp hammer with verbal and dropped third strike is a sharp hammer no verbal. But out of 45 umps there are only two of us that use the Hammer. Everyone else uses the point with turning head. I just want to be able to communicate clearly to the players and coaches. But I can see with diverse styles and mechanics players and coaches have to adapt to the umpires.

[johnnyg08]

If you're not directed to do a specific mechanic by your assn' try them all and see what works for you.

[dash_riprock]

I was taught not to change my called or swinging 3rd strike mechanic on an uncaught 3rd strike. Just add a "no catch" mechanic, if relevant.

[kylejt]

Tim's knees were bothering him, from so many years of working from a knee. The box allows him to make his calls even slower than ever, and every announcer in baseball hates when he calls games, as they have no idea what the pitch is.

[zm1283]

I was taught to use the same call for swinging and called strikes, so if you use the point for called strikes, use it for swinging strikes as well. Same for the hammer.

I use the hammer for everything. On a dropped third strike, I'll give the left-handed point to show that I have a swing, then give the "safe" signal to show that I don't have a catch.

Speaking of the safe signal, I have a good story. On Friday, I had a bases loaded situation. Two outs and two strikes on the batter. He strikes out on a curveball in the dirt. F2 blocks it and I give the safe signal as the batter takes off for first. F2 picks it up and steps on home plate for the force. Some loudmouth from the batting team right behind me starts jawing about "Well why would you call him safe then out...Ye can't do that!" After the inning, I casually walk near him and quickly explain that it's a safe signal because there was no catch on the third strike. He shut up pretty quickly.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I was trained by a guy who told me to adopt a style that has me facing the diamond. I adopted the Pulli Punch for called strikes, and the delayed, casual hammer for swinging strikes. I never look away or turn away, even on punch outs. Once, I had a turn-and-step-and-point-at-the-first-base-dugout partner, and the catcher made a quick throw back to the pitcher that got through and rolled toward the second baseman. While my partner was recovering from his elaborate strike call, a runner from third was about to slide into home as the second baseman scooped and fired on the run. My partner barely saw the play, which was pretty close, and of course, he got it wrong because it exploded on him. I've never even considered using the point since that play.

[UMP25]

I use the Frank Drebin strike. A few twists and turns with a little moonwalk thrown in.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by zm1283

then give the "safe" signal to show that I don't have a catch.

IMO, it needs to be accompanied by a verbal indication because the two players most involved in the play (F2 and BR) are facing away from the plate umpire.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

IMO, it needs to be accompanied by a verbal indication because the two players most involved in the play (F2 and BR) are facing away from the plate umpire.

F2 will know that it wasn't caught and most H.S. catchers will instinctively tag the batter if they know it hit the ground. Just speaking from experience as a former catcher.

Good point though, as the batter doesn't always know, made evident by the fact that a lot of them start walking back to the dugout while all the coaches and teammates are yelling at him to run.

Here's the Drebin strike call....

YouTube - Naked Gun - Strike - I Love LA

Hilarious...

[Fritz]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

IMO, it needs to be accompanied by a verbal indication because the two players most involved in the play (F2 and BR) are facing away from the plate umpire.

Agree 100%; some people (even coaches if you can believe it!) seem to get confused when I signal/call a strike three and then signal the "safe" sign for a D3K. "Did Blue change his mind or something?"

Verbalizing "No Catch, No Catch" confirms what I am signalling and removes all doubt.

[johnnyg08]

I think the kids should be coached to do what they're supposed to do and be taught by their coach to understand baseball and not depend on the umpire to tell them what to do.

I did all of "what you're supposed to do" on a D3K on a play this year and had the batter/runner run to 1B and F2 throw to F3 and I had R1/R2 < 2 outs.

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

Since the SB people have been sold a bill of goods, that there is a perfect mechanic and this is how you do it, it won't be too long until the baseball people try to do the same thing.

I am a softball person as well as a baseball person. I do not feel this way at all. The only thing the softball authorities want is for an umpire's signals to communicate a clear meaning to everyone watching. That is why softball umpires appear to be deliberate with their signals. No softball organization demands that every umpire do the mechanics exactly as written. Every softball umpire I have worked with signals differently, but the meaning is clear, just like a baseball umpire with good signals. I just wanted to explain here why softball does what it does.

As for baseball, I use a different hammer there because (surprise) it's a different game, and I think it's still obvious I'm calling a strike. I also want to keep my eyes on the field. But as with lots of other things in baseball, I think you should do what works for you. It's not a big deal to me as long as I can tell what the call is.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by JPaco54

Now I am really confused as to what is right. I guess from these posts it depends on your local association. Two years ago when I stated we were taught the Hammer for all strikes, called, swinging and dropped 3rd strike. The swinging strike is a more casual hammer no verbal, called third strike is a sharp hammer with verbal and dropped third strike is a sharp hammer no verbal.

Sounds like softball mechanics.