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

You might be working one umpire games, so that might be sufficient in your games. We work all two man here; and, as a base umpire, I sure as he!! think I need to hear it, too.

If you are verbalizing "ball" (and, yes, it is necessary), then verbalize it loud enough for the base umpire(s) to know the count, too!! And, here's an interesting side benefit; not only will the infielders know (and stop asking) the count, but you can be darn sure the pitcher should be able to hear it, too.

Well, I don't verbalize "ball" that loudly. Loud enough for the batter and catcher to hear it clearly, and probably loud enough for the pitcher and BU to hear it as well.

However, when I call "strike," it's most certainly heard well into the outfield and beyond. If my BU can't figure it out, then BU has more issues than just keeping track of the count.

Thats one way to keep the right fielder in the game :D

Well, I'll admit that it started as overcompensation for being a young umpire (started at age 15). Back then, I felt that a loud voice would show confidence and possibly keep coaches off my back. I was dead wrong. :eek:

Since then, I've toned it down A LOT, reserving the loud voice for only selling safe/out calls, and called strikes.

I know what you mean Steve, but I have never had an issue with my partner knowing the count. When my right arm goes up in a hammer you turn that strike wheel, when it doesn't you turn the ball wheel. And I am normally loud enough that the pitcher and BU can hear, my point was you don't have to yell ball, or say it as loud as a strike call, but you should say it and loud enough "so those who need to hear can hear it" as it was put to me in a clinic. Funny my partner has no issue knowing on a swinging strike it wasn't a ball, again that right arm in the air is pretty unmistakable. :D Ok it's a joke before you pounce on me cause the BU can see them swing. And about the count, I give it as instructed also, on the 3rd pitch and everytime that the next pitch could end the at bat X-2, 3-X but I have seen a lot of umpires that don't lately....seems to add to the questions from everyone on the count.

ASA says to call balls, so I call balls.

If you are working for ASA and you don't call "balls", you are not working the plate properly. You should fix yourself so that you can go to the next level.

If you are working NSA and you don't call "balls".. well you are working NSA, so who cares.

If you are thinking about working a higher level of ball, such as ASA or NCAA, you might get in the habit now, but otherwise, it just doesnt matter.

Wade, I'm glad you're back. I've missed your direct, blunt, & honest posts.

:D