Calling Balls and Strikes
 

It is refreshing to be able to hear the calls of the MLB Umpires in the playoffs.

ASA teaches us to say Ball or Strike and nothing more.

Nice to know that is how the Pros do it, too.

Well Jim, as far as I am concerned, we are all considered "pros" where umpiring is concerned. We all take money for the job, and hopefully all of us feel a certain dedication to the profession.

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

Is it common practice to not say anything now? I would like to think that everyone in my association calls both balls and strikes.

I announce ball or strike on every pitch not offered at by the batter in every game I umpire.

I do all the time...

ASA Rule 7 Section 5. A BALL IS CALLED BY THE UMPIRE

ASA Umpire Manual, "Balls", Pg. 214

I don't say Balls very often on the field, but I verbalize every pitch that is not swung at.:rolleyes:

Every pitch has to be something

and should be verbally announced.

My point was that it is either a ball or a strike when the batter does not offer.
It is not a Ball-DEEP or whatever.

If they ask why then the answer is it is a ball because it was not a strike.

However, all bets are off in co-ed with a nice looking catcher.

I call it everytime that the pitch is out of the strike zone and the batter doesn't offer at it. It is called "proper mechanics."

Unless offered at by the batter. :D

i do ... sometimes its barely loud enough for me & the catcher to hear like the ball a foot over the batters head ... but i call it

Ball 1 thru Ball 4 get a call of "Ball" about loud enough for the catcher and batter to hear.

If asked, I will tell the catcher and/or coach where the pitch missed, high, low, etc. If asked repeatedly, there will be a little longer discussion taking place.

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.