Timing is everything
 

Timing is everything -- to a great extent. Good timing leads to good calls, is best done without a timer on the fence :D, yada yada. You all know that, right? Right.

Of course one easy way to figure you are calling balls and strikes too early is when you hear the thump of the ball into the catcher's mitt about halfway through your hawaa strike call. Slow down, wait for the thwack into the mitt, then hawaa. In a worst case scenario, you call it a ball.;)

Then there is junior high/middle school ball. Two seconds or so after the ball eludes the "catcher" (using the word to describe the position, not the player), the batter swings -- long after you have called the pitch a ball. It's NOT a practice swing, these girls would topple if they took a practice swing.

I'm tempted to start not making a verbal call on a ball. I'd like your thoughts.

If the young lady is swinging that late at the pitch that's a million miles past her (and F2), is she really "striking at the pitch?"

I know what you mean, and have had that frequently lately as well. I usually stick with my "ball" call, then reiterate the count immediately after the dust settles. Only once this year have I had a DC say, "Blue, she swung at that!" My reply: "Coach, the ball was at the backstop when she swung. -repeat count-"

You get enough strikes in your JH games that you'd give one up? :D I want those teams. ;)
________
LIVE SEX

Sounds to me like your timing is off. I've had many balls bounce of the back stop before I make my call.

Still call balls and slow down.

I NEVER verbalize "ball."

Then your doing it wrong. In the words of just about every clinician I have ever heard "Every pitch is something, so you better call it something" paraphrasing from some, this is a PG board so i can't say what a few have told me :D

Ball calls should be verbalized but just loud enough for those that need to hear it, ie catcher and batter.

Why? Isn't it important enough? The instructors at all the clinics I've been to want the ball calls announced?

Interesting comments and questions?

I have only attended NSA clinics and done NSA tourneys. Have never been corrected or instructed otherwise.

That clears that up. The ASA and NFHS manuals both say something like, "Balls are not nothings, so make a verbal call."

(But don't fist pump, wave your hands, etc.;))

Doesn't the NSA rule book have a rule that starts something like "A ball is called by the umpire when..."

How do you "call" a ball if you never say anything?

In ASA, how do you "call" a pitch that hits the plate in SP with stealing?

For the record, I do verbalize a pitch that results in a ball.

"Hit the plate!";):D

From the NSA rule book:

Sec. 8 A ball is called by the umpire:
a. For each pitch, which does not enter the strike zone, or touches
home plate, which is not hit or swung at by the batter.
b. For each illegally pitched ball not hit or swung at by the batter.
c. When a pitch hits the batter outside of the strike zone.
d. When the catcher fails to return the ball directly to the pitcher as
required in Rule 6, Sec. 3 e.
e. When the pitcher fails to pitch within five (5) seconds.
f. For each excessive warm-up pitch (See Rule 6, Sec. 7).
g. When the pitcher attempts a quick return pitch, the pitcher shall
be given a warning.
EFFECT: Rule 7, Sec. 6 a-g. The ball is dead and baserunners
may not advance.

Note the words in red. "A ball is called...." It should always be verbalized. Silence is calling nothing.

That may not have been something you wanted to post here. ;)

And in SP with stealing, two double fist pumps. :D:D