Calling Balls and Strikes

[JPRempe]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

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.

Steve, I wish you could have heard one of the local league pitchers this past Monday night. This twit kept asking me what the count was after he had thrown only one pitch to each of the batter's he asked about. Needless to say I had to have a little chat with him at the end of the half inning...and he allegedly "didn't mean to"...

I wanted to shoot him after the third one.