IFF wipeoff

[archangel]

June 08 issue of Referee Magazine has a softball article about IFF mechanics.

Paraphrase: "When the IFF conditions are no longer in effect, all crew members must "wipe off" the IFF by brushing the forearm of the left arm with the fingers of the right hand.

I'm curious if this is the taught mechanics in softball....I mostly do baseball, and dont recall ever seeing this before....

[NCASAUmp]

It's not in the ASA book. However, it's one of those hand signals that everyone "knows."

[7in60]

In Canada, the sign is taught at clinics. Also, the fingers of the right hand are used to show the # of outs (open hand = 0, index finger = 1, index + middle = 2).

[SC Ump]

I learned it in FL in the early 90's doing HS softball and baseball (and rec ball, too). It was a standard one that everyone seemed to know even when I moved up here to the Carolinas in the late 90's.

[DeputyUICHousto]

And I've seen umpires brush the bill of their cap as well. But, as was stated previously, it is not in the umpire manual.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

It's not in the ASA book. However, it's one of those hand signals that everyone "knows."

Besides being important for umpires to know whne IFR applies, it is very reassuring to know that your partner is aware of both on and off. The arm brushing seems most common for "off", but I have begun brushing my upper arm sleeve to be more visible and to avoid getting sweat and sun screen on my hands.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Besides being important for umpires to know whne IFR applies, it is very reassuring to know that your partner is aware of both on and off. The arm brushing seems most common for "off", but I have begun brushing my upper arm sleeve to be more visible and to avoid getting sweat and sun screen on my hands.

Personally, I wish the ASA book would include it. It reinforces good umpire-to-umpire communication. Secondly, there have been times when my partner has given the IFF signal when the IFF rule was not in effect. It helped to have a response to him, saying, "no, it's not in effect, there are two outs, buddy."

[snorman75]

Something funny, I use it working alone. I also signal IFF whiel working alone. Just out of habit.

[DeputyUICHousto]

Helps me to stay with the game.

[DaveASA/FED]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

The arm brushing seems most common for "off", but I have begun brushing my upper arm sleeve to be more visible and to avoid getting sweat and sun screen on my hands.

Why not just appear to be whiping the arm, kind of like a pitcher appearing to be whiping her fingers off after she licks them? No need to actually touch the arm, just appear to, from home plate being straight lined you can't tell the difference anyway!