Called 3K, ASA SP

[NCASAUmp]

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.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

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.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

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.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

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.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

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.

[NCASAUmp]

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'.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

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.

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.

[LMan]

there are called 3Ks in SP? *blink*

[HawkeyeCubP]

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.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeCubP

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."

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

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.

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

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

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.

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.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeCubP

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.

Because they snivel more than a 12 y/o?

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.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Because they snivel more than a 12 y/o?

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.