Strike/out signal

[bniu]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I don't think it matters an iota how you call strikes, provided your timing is good enough to know that something odd isn't going to happen when you turn your head to the side.

For most young umpires, this is a problem. I find it useful to teach the hammer to young umpires for this reason. As they get experience and develop solid timing and awareness, then they can feel free to do whatever they want.

this is one of the beauties of baseball that i like, no one cares how you make your call as long as you can still be aware of what's going on and not be too much of the next ron luciano. i guess softball likes the hammer since the field is smaller and plays happen quicker, but most softball umpires make calls way too fast for my taste, and yet, the 60 foot version of baseball sees many umpires calling it the same style as the 90 foot game...slow and relaxed on routine calls, makes your sell outs more effective...