How many of you have seen the mechanic on call where the umpire immediately verbalizes the call, (OUT, SAFE, STRIKE, but nothing for a ball) and then ten to fifteen seconds later makes a sharp quick signal. I am not kidding ten to fifteen seconds later. As an umpire I find this mechanic confusing, by watching the reaction of the players I can see they are VERY confused. I don't know how it would work when there are multiple calls, like double a plays or attempted double plays. When I asked the umpire about it he said that is the way 18Gold umpire do it. Now I know our UIC tell us to slow down your calls but I think ten to fifteen seconds is too long.

Bob

Ten to fifteen seconds later? Wow. That's a long, long time. I'm more inclined to give the arm signal two to four seconds after verbalizing a call. I agree that an exceptionally long delay confuses everybody on the field.

Bob,
I think 10-15 seconds is about 8-13 seconds too long, but how were the players confused? They didn't hear that ump, or they didn't believe him? :rolleyes:
mick

15 seconds, huh? Try that with Roy Oswalt and you'll be signalling as the next pitch is coming in. That's an AWFUL long time. Wonder what this guy's compatriots in 18-Gold think of that. Bet he's the only one.