Four Balls and One Strike

[mcrowder]

I would only add "that's four" after the defense has gotten the ball to pitcher, and I still have a clueless batter/coaching staff. I hate when umpires say "Ball", and then realizing batter is still there add either "Take your base" or "That's four" before the defense has gotten the ball back (even worse when they do this when there's a stolen base going on). If the Batter-runner chooses not to run, don't remind them until there's NO chance that your reminder will give them an advantage (like the possibility of an extra base if the ball gets away somewhere).