Called 3K, ASA SP
 

I call ASA SP, and only ASA SP. Lately, I've been increasingly focusing on the little things when I call ball. Last night, I had a couple of called 3Ks. I called a sharp "Strike!" like usual, came up, gave the strike signal, then dropped it kind of like an out sell, but with a more downward motion (as opposed to a "throwing" motion). Kind of like hammering a nail next to your left leg. I don't give any verbal call other than the strike.

I was wondering if you all would consider this "showing up" the batter.

No. I don't think it is showing up the batter. And with an AA, who really cares anyway? Back when I did call SP, my called 3K was no different than my called 3K in FP.

When you say "I don't give any verbal call other than the strike," are you saying that you don't verbalize "ball?" If so, why not? That is the correct procedure.

I was only referring to strike 3. I do call "ball" loud enough for the batter and catcher to hear me, and just barely loud enough for the pitcher to hear me.

Okay, so you are saying that you say "strike" on 3K as opposed to something like "strike three" or something of that nature? Gotcha. In that case, I would say keep the mechanic.

I only say "strike" on a 3K as well, though it sounds more like a "heeeaarrrggghhhhe." I used to simply say "three" loudly. Got dinged on that in an eval a few years ago, and never went back.

That's exactly what I'm doing. Occasionally (just occasionally), I might give a "ha!" as I drop the hammer (okay, let's face it, there's no good way to spell it without it sounding like I'm laughing at the batter, which I'm not).

I've been reevaluating every little thing I do lately because, well, I just got offered my first slot at an ASA National. I want to do my UIC proud, make it to Sunday, and perhaps even get asked to do another.

And FWIW, I don't intend on doing either of those things at the Nationals. I'm just going to call "Strike," straighten the legs, and signal the out/strike. It's the fact that I got invited to do a National that got me thunkin'.

A somewhat cryptic directive from the umpire manual:

"Don't intimidate or embarass the batter with a called strike three. Use a signal and voice that reflects the importance, difficulty, and/or closeness of the play."

I guess that means to do something a little bit different to distinguish a called third strike- punch it up a bit, but don't overdo it.

Your little extra punch/hammer seems to be right in-line with that directive.

Hmmmm. They're adults. I assume men. Playing on a Little League sized field. The ball is 12 inches and is being thrown underhand. Generally speaking these guys are wearing garish pinstriped pants, use batbag/locker rooms with wheeels and own at least one bat that retails for $200+.

If/when they take strike three they deserve to be shown up, embarrassed and driven to tears.

Strike with a standard hammer is all that is necessary.

The batter knows it is three. Never saw a need for extra "showmanship".

Sort of like the umpire which shows up with 10 different uniforms in the back of his/her vehicle, 3 masks worth about $300, 4 pairs if shoes (all treated with Leather Lustre), 6 indicators, some with a clock w/alarm, some with a battery for the back light, 8 different ball bags, a variety of plate brushes, line-up card holders and a few pair of expensive sunglasses for a single JV game.

You know, where you are going to check the bats of these teenagers. And you can tell which ones play travel ball, because they will be the kids with the $200+ bats in the rack and $150 gloves laying on the ground. :D

Sorry, just couldn't resist.

Well, you never know which site is going to have its yearly between-inning egg toss contest! :eek:

I've never seen an indicator with a backlight. What's the deal with that?

I always show up with a small gym bag that contains my jacket (just in case), my street shoes, a couple extra brushes and indicators (in case my partner forgets his), and the extra lenses for my sunglasses (dark for sunny, orange for overcast, clear for night). It's also nice to have somewhere I can throw my ball bag when I switch from PU to BU between games.

Well, I think what I'll do is forget the hammer for the lower classifications (ie., kids or Coed J League - because "C" just ain't low 'nough), but use it for higher classifications.

And heck, those of us who work "real" softball, have to have all of that stuff.

Sorry, just couldn't resist. :D

Hey man.. stop talking about me in front of my face.. jeez.

Just call strike 3.. the batter already probably has to buy a few 12 packs or wear a pink shirt or whatever punishment they get when they strike out. They dont need you to tell them ... they will get theirs from their team.

Really...I have started looking at bigger cars because I'm running out of room for all my umpire stuff....:)

I drive a Jeep, and I've been looking at some of those safari racks they sell ... ;)

"Safari" in your area? Looking for bison, emu & ostrich?

Well, there are some bison just west of here... but no, they just sell these things to off-roaders who think they are crossing the Serengeti every time they hit gravel...

http://www.quadratec.com/Assets/Imag...0/18200-lg.jpg

there are called 3Ks in SP? *blink*

Backwards K in ASA SP is to be called no different that called strike 2, according to the UIC and staff of the last national I worked.

A. I personally feel, however 1) that it is somewhat ridiculous to take a called strike 3 in that game, and 2) if it was some amazing pitch that is the equivalent of a good defensive play for which you would award at least a punch of a sell-out somewhere else on the field, why not do it then?

B. How is taking a called strike three any different, ideologically and semantically, from taking a called strike three in a FP game? Why is it "unnecessary" extra showmanship in one, but not in the other? To anyone who says you're "showing up the batter" in one but not the other, or vice versa, please explain.

I've never received anything close to a good answer to B from any other SP umpire who argues against it - always just the old "we're not here to show up the batter" - To which I always want to reply, "That's weird, because you jump out of your shoes and holler loud enough for the scoreboard operator outside of the center field fence when you call a 12-year-old girl out for the same thing."

Those things being said, I don't sell out called strike 3 in SP.

Well, maybe the latter is no more right than the former. :confused:

But if you want an answer to B, look at A in your post. A called 3K in SP is, or at least should be, the anomaly since contacting the ball in FP is much more difficult. Then again, many may argue that hitting the strike zone in FP is more difficult than in SP.

Either way, I'm not a fan of the additional theatrics on a called 3rd strike in any game, but that's just me.

Because they snivel more than a 12 y/o? :confused:

Its not a pitching game... sell out is for selling an out and your zone on good pitches. The same as any other sell out call. Its not necessary for slow pitch.

Well, let's be clear in that what I was referring to was just the arm motion. My feet stay heel-toe. I'm simply making the crisp verbal "strike," signaling the strike, then dropping my arm from upper right to lower left, kinda like a throw (or as close to a throwing motion my torn rotator will allow). It's like a half throw, half downward punch.

Strike three does not need to be theatrics, but it does need to be final and leave no doubt. I would never ring up a novice, or a co-ed, but a man who should know better in a game for hitters? Not a problem.

so a novice gets only a single fist pump?

What is a "single fist pump"?

To be clear, are you saying you have no problem wringing up a male SP player, but are against the same for a female SP player?

Half of a double fist pump

*cringe* I'm actually going to side a little with pianoman here (and bear with me, I can only see what John quoted). Please, please forgive me, o' Lord.

I personally think it depends on the level of play. If it's more of a recreational league, that level of intensity strikes me as a little out of place. They're just there to have fun, and calls don't always need to be sold. Just call the strike or call the runner out, and let it be that. Most "fun" leagues are perfectly okay with that, and the simple calls are more appropriate to the environment. In higher levels of competition, selling your call is more appropriate, and is almost expected in a bang-bang play (or a called corner strike 3).

Last night, I called 2 women's games that were in the same league, same level. The first game, it was two teams that were clearly there just for recreation and fun. I never sold a call, and everyone had a good time. The second game was between two higher-level teams (a few travel team players were on both teams). I sold the few close calls there were, and everyone was fine with it - almost as though they expected it.

It's a question of intensity, and how it relates to the environment you're in. If your level of intensity doesn't match the environment, you'll stick out like a sore thumb, change the dynamic of the game, and you'll not be very well-received on the field.

Not me, man. I love ringing up the office secretary on strike three and making her walk back to the dugout in shame, about to burst into tears. Can't handle the heat, get the f*ck outta my kitchen!

;)

I'm joking... and I actually agree with you 100% :)

Wow. The old psych major in me darn near had a heart attack!

No. The word I chose was co-ed which connotes a one-day-a-week recreational player.

Sorry for the confusion on my part. I work in the recreational sports field (specifically, university campus recreation), and in my profession (and according to the ASA) "coed" refers to teams composed of both males and females, and/or simply a female participant. The term actually originated from when women were admitted into previously all-male institutions of higher-learning in the 19th century, hence, a "co-educational" experience was being offered to both men and women. The term, "coed," then, basically stuck with any woman who was enrolled at a college or university with both sexes. (I remember about 10 things from my college educaiton - this is one of them.:rolleyes: :) )

Along with all of the other important stuff like how many cups in a half keg, blind dexterity dealing with snaps/clasps, how to find the "good" used text books, etc.

I thought those were all high school lessons...

And for the record, I can still pour the perfect cup of beer.

I work SP Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights. I was BU in Game 1 last night when the PU rang a guy up to end an inning. I laughed and thought of this thread right away. His K3 mechanic looked like a left-right-left combonation of uppercuts.

The F6, coming off the field had the best description. He said it "looked like (former WWF tag team) The Bushwackers".

http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.co...hackers/12.jpg

Dunno whether I pour a perfect cup of beer, but I'll drink what I pour ANDwhat you pour:D

Come on down to NC, and I'll be happy to pour us some!