curious--- question about PU in CWS tonight

[Tim C]

I have written about this before.

I verbalized the VERY close pitches. I did this as it cut the amount of chatter from people who could not recognize if the pitch was "just off the plate."

I would NEVER verbalize "up and down" . . . just inside/outside.

And, in closing, I would comment that 90% of my verbalized calls were "Inside!"

T

[jicecone]

Not being deragatory here but, I realize sometimes were not dealing with rocket scientists as catchers and as an ex-catcher myself I understood that there were only two reasons a pitch was called a ball.

1. It was outside of the umpires zone.
2. The umpire missed it.

A good catcher, after about 3 or four batters is always very capable of figuring this out. So I really have never bought into that adjustment stuff but, thats just me. In fact, many good catchers will set the scenario up early to get a feel for your zone. No questions necessary.

Having said that I always reply if asked and again if this works for others, go for it.

[kylejt]

Some umpires, for whatever reason, feel the need to say up, down, inside or outside. This happens at all levels. I've never understood it.

A great instructor once told me it was insecurity about their own calls. The needed to, somehow, justify their judgement.

Lots of umpires use a touch of "body english" to let folks know where it missed. A slight tilt one way, or another, just after the ball is caught. I've always thought that was very effective.

Good catchers know where you thought it missed, even if they don't agree. So do good coaches. No need to bother with the not so good ones, as they're not going to see the light anyways.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by kylejt

Some umpires, for whatever reason, feel the need to say up, down, inside or outside. This happens at all levels. I've never understood it.

A great instructor once told me it was insecurity about their own calls. The needed to, somehow, justify their judgement.

Lots of umpires use a touch of "body english" to let folks know where it missed. A slight tilt one way, or another, just after the ball is caught. I've always thought that was very effective.

Good catchers know where you thought it missed, even if they don't agree. So do good coaches. No need to bother with the not so good ones, as they're not going to see the light anyways.

I'm baffled as to why they point across their body to signal a strike to a left handed hitter. What's that all about?

[BEAREF]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

I'm baffled as to why they point across their body to signal a strike to a left handed hitter. What's that all about?

I do that...but don't have a reason as to why...I just do it.

[Publius]

Originally Posted by BEAREF

I do that...but don't have a reason as to why...I just do it.

That's the consensus among my partners who point across their bodies on lefties. I don't do it, and when I ask them why they do, they just shrug.

Verbalizing pitches--I find those who do are generally like Tim C. I did it on three pitches last night; two outside, as opposed to low, and one low, as opposed to inside. Three in one game is about average for me.

It seemed to be a fad around here a few years ago, when it was all the rage and everyone (except me ) was doing it on every ball. Then it died down and only a few are still doing it on most balls.

Sorta like patent leather.

[David B]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I have written about this before.

I verbalized the VERY close pitches. I did this as it cut the amount of chatter from people who could not recognize if the pitch was "just off the plate."

I would NEVER verbalize "up and down" . . . just inside/outside.

And, in closing, I would comment that 90% of my verbalized calls were "Inside!"

T

Very well put and I agree, "inside" is the most questioned call.

Thanks
David

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by David B

Very well put and I agree, "inside" is the most questioned call.

Thanks
David

Not sure it's the most questioned: a pitch outside is more likely to get called a strike, and so need no explanation!