Strike Mechanic

[NJumpire9]

I've worked a number of clinics with Matt Hollowell (MLB/AAA) Justin Klem (AAA) and WebbTurner (AAA).
They ALL emphasize...SLOW DOWN! IT"S NOTHING UNTIL YOU CALL IT!..I read in an earlier post about some who made up their mind on a pitch BEFORE it crosses the plate. What looks good 2 feet in front , may look like crap by the time it's caught! Most important is to lock in and FOLLOW PITCH with just your eyes all the way to the glove. That means NO head movement, NO body lean, NOTHING..JUST EYES.
The obvious..stay down to call balls, ( and one DOES call them ) and up and out stong on your strikes has already been stated. The Fist is used in the "newer" mechanic ala FRANK PULLI, with a front facing "tommahawk
chop". The pointer is used for those of us still coming out to the side and voice and mechanic happen simultaneously...The strike three mechanic should be different than your others.

[Edited by NJumpire9 on Mar 13th, 2003 at 02:30 PM]