3rd Strike Caught on the Bounce

[etn_ump]

Originally Posted by CoachPaul

Verbalize called strikes and 3rd strikes not caught. We call it strike three because that's what it is. Instead of stating what it isn't, we say what it is. It's also not a home run, but we don't say "not a homer." There are a lot of things it isn't but only one thing it is....strike three.

Don't number your strikes or your balls. Simply call the pitch. As others have said it is the players and coaches responsibility to know situations. The only verbalization needed in this situation is "no catch" and a safe sign.

[bniu]

I hammer called strikes 1/2 and point for swinging strikes 1/2. I do whatever I'm in the mood for called strike 3. For a swinging strike 3, if it's caught, I let the batter leave and I casually record the out with the hammer. For a dropped strike 3, I just throw my right arm out to the side and say strike 3 loud enough for the batter and catcher to hear it. Haven't gotten any complaints for the many years I've used this combo.

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by bniu

For a dropped strike 3, I just throw my right arm out to the side and say strike 3 loud enough for the batter and catcher to hear it. Haven't gotten any complaints for the many years I've used this combo.

The only problem with this mechanic is that the catcher cannot see your extended arm. He can hear you say "Strike three" but that would not necessarily convey to him (the catcher) that you consider it an uncaught third strike.

Sure, oftentimes it's obvious that the ball was not caught. But, other times, the ball may short hop into the catcher's glove. Let's face it - the plate umpire has a horrible view of this - and often cannot see it at all. The plate umpire may be wrong that the ball short hopped into the catcher's glove. The catcher thinks he caught it ... he hears you say "Strike three" ... and he has no awareness that the batter is not out.

I think it's important to say "no catch", especially in those situations where it's not obvious that the ball was not caught. This gives the catcher the opportunity to tag the batter quickly and render moot whether you were right or wrong about the catch.

Most teams do not have a problem with the plate umpire ruling a third strike as uncaught, thinking it short hopped into the catcher's glove, when the catcher actually caught it - as long as the umpire makes this known to them immediately.

[refinks]

Here's my question, as the base umpire, if you have definitive knowledge that a third strike was uncaught, do you give your partner help right away? I've been told yes by some and no by some. I know this situation may depend on the umpire, but is there a mechanic that the base umpire should use?

[Matt]

Originally Posted by refinks

Here's my question, as the base umpire, if you have definitive knowledge that a third strike was uncaught, do you give your partner help right away? I've been told yes by some and no by some. I know this situation may depend on the umpire, but is there a mechanic that the base umpire should use?

We always have a sign that BU uses on this--have one sign for caught, another for uncaught. It's given on every 3rd strike that may have the question.

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by refinks

Here's my question, as the base umpire, if you have definitive knowledge that a third strike was uncaught, do you give your partner help right away? I've been told yes by some and no by some. I know this situation may depend on the umpire, but is there a mechanic that the base umpire should use?

I think this is a critical pre-game briefing item between the umpires.

Whenever I work the plate, another thing I brief my partner is that if he thinks the pitch hit the batter to go ahead and call it immediately - even if I do not call it; because, quite frankly, for those pitches in the dirt near the batter's feet, it's difficult to see whether the ball clipped the runner on the leg or may have hit his pants. The catcher often blocks the PU's view of this. If my partner sees the pitch hit the batter I want him to *immediately* call it in much the same way as he would call a foul ball off the batter's foot. I have had no complaints about this as most everybody accepts that the BU has a pretty good view of this - especially when he is in the "B" or "C" position.