Strike/out signal

[pastordoug]

IMO the only problem I might possible see for someone who does the hammer for strikes and outs (which I have been doing for 6 years) is a 3rd stike foul tip... But even then your first signal is the FT followed by , in my case, the hammer for the out...

Otherwise the hammer strike is used with the verbal called "strike" which is clearly different from the called "third stike out" (or should be). Although I seem to remember a MLB Ump who had the same signal for all 3 strikes?

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Mxyzptlk

It's inconsequential in a world of officiating that has so many, more important issues.

The only inconsequential thing in this thread is your post. Begone, Troll!

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Rita C

One of the critiques he got from the high school observer today is that his
strike and out signal are too much alike.

Is this a valid critique?

Rita

How does somone that ignorant get to be an obsever?

[DG]

Originally Posted by Rita C

One of the critiques he got from the high school observer today is that his strike and out signal are too much alike.

Is this a valid critique?

Rita

I hammer strikes. My outs are unmistakable from the standard strike hammer. Some of my partners point. None of them point the same way for a strike as an out. If the difference is unmistakable no problem. If they look the same I agree.

I don't know any partners who do not have an unmistakeable out signal regardless of hammer or point.

[johnnyg08]

batter/batter-runner, catcher does not see the hammer or point anyway.

I used to point strikes and hammer my outs. Now I hammer both. Haven't had an issue with it. When I pointed, I didn't turn my head which is especially important when working 1-man. Whatever you teach him, teach him to pick one and stick with it. Mixing them up during the game is what confuses people.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

batter/batter-runner, catcher does not see the hammer or point anyway.

I used to point strikes and hammer my outs. Now I hammer both. Haven't had an issue with it. When I pointed, I didn't turn my head which is especially important when working 1-man. Whatever you teach him, teach him to pick one and stick with it. Mixing them up during the game is what confuses people.

Last year at my plate clinic, I did my strike three mechanic of a hammer-like thing to the side, while looking that direction. I was told by a trainer to not look away from the play or the field, in case something happens. I practiced it a few more times, and finally became comfortable with it in my second game of the year.

This year, I went to the plate clinic and did what I learned the year before. THE SAME TRAINER told me, "If you're going to hammer the third strike to the side, you have to look that direction. It looks stupid if you don't." I informed him that I was told last year to keep my head facing the field (I didn't inform him that HE was the one that told me). His response: "That person didn't know what he was talking about."

With that said, I changed my mechanic to take a step backward and hammer it toward the catcher. It keeps my eye on the play, and, to be frank, looks a lot better.

As for the OP, the observer's observation is crazy. The only way I can see a problem with it is if the kid isn't voicing his strikes and outs. In that case, a strike can look like an out. If that is the case, then the observer should have noted that instead of the mechanic: "Verbalize strikes and outs loud enough to be heard by the players." or something similar.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by Rita C

A young man who will be umpiring with my league is also working games for the
local high school association. I worked with him some on signals and pivot
yesterday. For his strike signal he had a point to the side. Since he was
turning his head to follow the point, and since he will be doing a lot of games
solo in that association, I suggested that he do a hammer signal for strike to
break the habit of looking to the side. So this means he has a hammer for
strike and out.

One of the critiques he got from the high school observer today is that his
strike and out signal are too much alike.

Is this a valid critique?

Rita

Young ump may tend to be too tight.
Perhaps, a good rip or tear was required.
There is a huge difference in style points.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Rita C

One of the critiques he got from the high school observer today is that his
strike and out signal are too much alike.

Is this a valid critique?

Rita

Our association suggests that new umpires use the hammer. When I evaluate them and I see that the strike is very similar to their out signal, I usually suggest that they make a slight change. I suggest that the strike hammer be exaggerated more, bending the elbow from 90° to around 45°. then make the out signal (for the PU only) a little higher. this eliminates the similarities between the two and is very easy for the new umpire to change.

[David B]

Originally Posted by Rita C

A young man who will be umpiring with my league is also working games for the
local high school association. I worked with him some on signals and pivot
yesterday. For his strike signal he had a point to the side. Since he was
turning his head to follow the point, and since he will be doing a lot of games
solo in that association, I suggested that he do a hammer signal for strike to
break the habit of looking to the side. So this means he has a hammer for
strike and out.

One of the critiques he got from the high school observer today is that his
strike and out signal are too much alike.

Is this a valid critique?

Rita

To each his own as long as it works. I have looked to the side for my entire career with no problems.

Had college guys try and correct, but I never could get them to give me a valid reason why to change.

If there is a reason to be looking at the ball, I'm looking. If its a problem, the umpire will find out because coaches will be questioning it.

Thanks
David

[justanotherblue]

With no runners on, I usually turn my head and point, keeping my eyes on the batter. With runners on, especially with a runner on third, I try to keep my head forward and/or look at the runner on 3B as I point. If it's a DK3, I point the strike, then give the safe signal. If the batter swung at the pitch, and it's caught, I simply hammer him out. Personally, I like the point for my strike call, and the hammer for my out call, there's no confusion IMHO that way. However YMMV.