NFHS "ball four" mechanic

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

Originally Posted by teebob21

I never give the count on 2-1, except after a delay. The next pitch (if taken) will bring the count to an action count, and I don't like giving the count on back-to-back pitches. If play is slow, or the players are young, I may say "2-1, ladies" in a voice loud enough for the batter and catcher to hear.

Exactly - except I almost always will tell batter/catcher the 2-1 VERY conversationally - they're going to ask anyways!

Another thing is that with a two strike count, and the batter starts fouling them off, no to continuously scream out the count. Same thing if a 0-2 goes to 1-2. 2-2....just quickly shoot the hands up and 1/4 volume with the count. Then when you go to 3-2, it makes it that much more convincing/important when you raise the volume to max for the 'three balls/two strikes' announcement.

For ball four around here, we have gotten to teaching the HP and 1B umpires to watch the runner down to 1B. HP takes off the mask, and goes around to watch down the line, 1B takes two-three steps in to watch him/her coming up.