Calling Balls and Strikes

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by iowasoftballump

I would be very interested in hearing how many of you call balls when umpiring.

Every one, no matter how obvious, is verbalized. It is doing what is expected of every plate umpire. If the pitcher threw a pitch, the plate umpire has a responsibility to call it either a ball or a strike. At worst, it is an exercise to maintain timing.

Contrary to some others who have posted, I verbalize all balls loud enough for the infield, base coaches, and even my base umpire to hear; I believe they all have an interest in the correct ball and strike count. Maybe I will get asked "what's the count" just a few less times? As a base umpire, I expect my plate umpire to verbalize all balls loud enough for me to hear, and know the count.