"Foul Ball"

[AtlUmpSteve]

This is the "trickle down" theory. The mechanic to NOT call "obvious foul balls is an NCAA mechanic; at this point, so far as I know, it is not an NFHS or ASA mechanic.

The "trickle down" is that the top umpires that also work NCAA are probably your trainers and evaluators (or were personally evaluated by NCAA umpires), and they proceed with a philosophy that a mechanic that is required at the "higher" level must also be appropriate at a "lower" level".

It is easy to get confused by some of the minute and insignificant differences. While I can understand that it may seem unnecessary that an obvious foul be verbalized, I can't see what it hurts when it is. Other than indicating an umpire isn't using NCAA mechanics in an NFHS or ASA game, I also don't see why an evaluator wouuld tell you that you need to change.

[Stu Clary]

I was advised to only verbalize "Foul Ball" on the close/boarderline calls as well.

I attended a JC game a couple weeks ago and noticed the PU never called "Foul", used "Dead Ball" every time instead. That struck me as odd.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Stu Clary

I was advised to only verbalize "Foul Ball" on the close/boarderline calls as well.

I attended a JC game a couple weeks ago and noticed the PU never called "Foul", used "Dead Ball" every time instead. That struck me as odd.

And then you have a runner flying down the 3B line diving into the plate wiping out the catcher who is waiting for a new ball only to look up and see the umpire 15' down the line giving a dead ball signal.

Yes, sometimes it seems ludicrous to verbalize a foul ball, but there are others relying upon it like a batter that put the ball into the air over the backstop, but she doesn't know that as she is churning for 1B. A runner off on the pitch unnecessarily sliding into 2B or 3B. How long have coaches been telling runners to run and not watch the ball?

Also, what may be "obvious" to you may not be so to others. If someone gigs you on that, I'd hate to see what happens if you are forced to exit the plate area throuth the LH batter's box.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And then you have a runner flying down the 3B line diving into the plate wiping out the catcher who is waiting for a new ball only to look up and see the umpire 15' down the line giving a dead ball signal.

Yes, sometimes it seems ludicrous to verbalize a foul ball, but there are others relying upon it like a batter that put the ball into the air over the backstop, but she doesn't know that as she is churning for 1B. A runner off on the pitch unnecessarily sliding into 2B or 3B. How long have coaches been telling runners to run and not watch the ball?

Also, what may be "obvious" to you may not be so to others. If someone gigs you on that, I'd hate to see what happens if you are forced to exit the plate area throuth the LH batter's box.

Agreed 100%. But, Mike, you of all people shouldn't be surprised to learn that NCAA coaches do not want umpires to tell players anything, even that a batted ball is foul. Base umpires are instructed to neither echo nor signal foul balls called by the plate umpire, just allow runners to run, slide, whatever, rather than tell them. Because, don't you know, they should only be listening to their coaches!!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Agreed 100%. But, Mike, you of all people shouldn't be surprised to learn that NCAA coaches do not want umpires to tell players anything, even that a batted ball is foul. Base umpires are instructed to neither echo nor signal foul balls called by the plate umpire, just allow runners to run, slide, whatever, rather than tell them. Because, don't you know, they should only be listening to their coaches!!

Which is just another in a long line of posts from knowledgable individuals that support my contention that the coaches run NCAA softball.

But, then again, this discussion wasn't about the NCAA rules, but HS. As you noted, it is just the inaccurate belief that since the NCAA game is perceived as the highest level of softball, that many involved believe their "mechanics" are "the" mechanics.

Sorry, but I disagree, but you knew that, didn't you?

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

This is the "trickle down" theory. The mechanic to NOT call "obvious foul balls is an NCAA mechanic; at this point, so far as I know, it is not an NFHS or ASA mechanic.

The "trickle down" is that the top umpires that also work NCAA are probably your trainers and evaluators (or were personally evaluated by NCAA umpires), and they proceed with a philosophy that a mechanic that is required at the "higher" level must also be appropriate at a "lower" level".

It is easy to get confused by some of the minute and insignificant differences. While I can understand that it may seem unnecessary that an obvious foul be verbalized, I can't see what it hurts when it is. Other than indicating an umpire isn't using NCAA mechanics in an NFHS or ASA game, I also don't see why an evaluator wouuld tell you that you need to change.

Steve is correct on all points. And I was hoping to get to say all of this!

[NM FP Ump]

So, to summarize, this is a sound and accepted mechanic (per AtlUmpSteve), but use your best judgment when applying it (per IRISHMAFIA).

Thanks for the help.