Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu (Post 1009983)

So you also give a verbal "NO!"? I guess I've been more fortunate in that regard. I don't really recall ever having a problem with that.

Originally Posted by teebob21 (Post 1009991)

Example on a check swing: Mask off, point to partner, and "SWING?" I still haven't gotten that entirely out of my system.

Originally Posted by CecilOne (Post 1010008)

Isn't that correct? :confused:

Originally Posted by CecilOne (Post 1010008)

Isn't that correct? :confused:

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA (Post 1010047)

And you were correct, I meant what is stated is not what the players/coaches claim to have heard. Same with "NO CATCH". Players claim to hear catch, which is true, they just don't hear the "NO".

Originally Posted by Manny A (Post 1010053)

FWIW, my verbals on fly balls to the outfield are more for my partner's sake than that of the players. I'll either say, "Catch!" or "On the ground!" to let him/her know the ball's status. I don't like saying, "No Catch!" to avoid my partner missing the "No" in that.

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu (Post 1009843)

During a recent tournament I compiled some inputs for a newer umpire that was working with us. The tournament was a USA sanctioned event.

After composing the tips, I looked up references in the USA Umpire Manual.

Now I have a question about the mechanic for the PU to verbalize the out on a fly ball to the outfield. I also checked my NFHS Umpire Manual to see what they had.

The NFHS covers it under Movement from the Plate in item 4.

“On fly balls to the outfield not near the foul line, move to obtain a good angle to the catch versus straight at the fielder catching the ball. If the ball is caught, give an out signal and a verbal ‘out’ call.”

The USA version is similar, on fly balls not near the foul line: B.1.d.2)

“If the ball is fair and not caught, no signal is needed. No verbal call is given. If the ball is caught, give an out signal.”

There are multiple passages within this section that are greyed out, indicating that these were updates this year.

I have always verbalized (and signaled) even the most can-of-cornish catches. If I have a plate partner who doesn’t verbalize, I’ve always asked that they do.

Is this a change for USA or was something inadvertently omitted?

Four or five years ago, I asked a plate partner why he wasn’t verbalizing fly ball outs. He said he worked “college ball” and the philosophy was no verbal call so as not to (further) embarrass a girl who made an out. He also gave a very weak little fist turn over near his belt. My BS antennae started twitching, but since I don’t work “college ball” I couldn’t refute the statement.

Anyhoos… Comments?

Originally Posted by Skahtboi (Post 1010406)

Okay...I'll play devil's advocate here.

Do you feel a need to verbalize all calls that are obvious to everyone in the ballpark?

A lazy fly ball to the outfield, like an obvious foul, doesn't require a verbal call, IMO. A simple routine out call, just like one used on a runner who is out by 15 feet at first base, is all that is needed. No need to be overly officious. Everyone knows it is an out, just a simple acknowledgement is all that is needed. This way, on closer calls, the verbal has more power. More weight.

Originally Posted by Skahtboi (Post 1010406)

Okay...I'll play devil's advocate here.

Do you feel a need to verbalize all calls that are obvious to everyone in the ballpark?

Originally Posted by blue06 (Post 1010451)

Some of the best baseball umpires are good softball umpires.

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu (Post 1010495)

If I'm doing a HS game in NH, absolutely. I always verbalize regardless, even though USA doesn't apparently require it.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA (Post 1010523)

What leads you to say that?

Originally Posted by Manny A (Post 1010529)

I thought this was in response to the situation of an obvious catch called by a chasing BU. If it's an routine catch of a can of corn fly ball, I don't know of any organization that requires the verbal "Out" call, just like we don't normally use a verbal "Out" when the BR gets thrown out at first base by tens of feet.

Are there organizations out there that require a verbal "Out" call for every fly ball catch by a chasing BU? I do believe that the PU should verbalize, but that's for the benefit of his/her partners knowing that a catch was made.