DTS mechanic
 

I've been doing the following mechanic for softball:

Called strikes: Verbalize Strike and give the hammer immediately

swinging strikes: I get up, wait a few seconds, and take my time doing the hammer

Swinging strike 3: I let the batter walk away and I slowly hammer the out

DTS: Rather than hammering anything, I instead point directly at the ball or if it's called strike 3, I verbalize strike 3 and still point at the ball, no hammer at all.

What do you'll think of that DTS mechanic? My rationale for it is on a swinging strike 3, everyone knows it's a swinging strike, but the more important thing is that the strike 3 was not caught so I prioritize the drop by pointing at the ball and also to avoid ambiguity in the hammer (strike or out?). and as far as a called strike 3, everyone can hear it already and the priority should go to the DTS rather than the hammer for strike 3.

Of course, with first base occupied and less than 2 outs, I don't really care if it's caught or not b/c it's inconsequential (other than a batter who doesn't know the rule running for 1st base)

I think you'd be better off learning the mechanics of the game you are officiating.

Agree with Dakota.

What softball org are you working for?

nm, I just saw his baseball thread.

Did ya get lost or are you working softball?

I think it's a lazy mechanic and may be borderline OOO. Everyone else knows where the ball is, who are you pointing it out for, the catcher? The runner? The fat mom in the fourth row with the cottage cheese butt?

I do both sports and football and volleyball as well...

I figured with the swinging strike hammer, it looks like i'm calling the batter out, so I figure by simply pointing to the ball, I'm indicating that it's a DTS and the batter isn't out... and i'm talking about some of those DTS where the catcher picks it up on a short hop which isn't immediately obvious... like Game 2 of the 2005 ALCS Doug Eddings' controversial signal...

No one is watching for your secret signal to know if to run or not and if you are inventing your own stuff, how does that help them?

Signal/verbal strike/strike 3 - they will take of the the RUN RUN RUN part.

Forget about ALCS, this isnt the ALCS and softball is not inventing mechanics over an ALCS call. When they want you to do this, they will draw it for you in a little picture and put it in the book for you.

Which, to some extent, the NCAA has already done. But it sure isn't the mechanic that the OP talks about.

The OP's mechanics are wrong in so many ways..... do they have a nice "shaking my head in mock disgust" icon thingey?

Except for maybe the first one.... if yer doing one of those "ASA" tournaments :D

wait!! did i work with you before? coz i know ive seen all of them whilst sighing from the bases.

Just checking.
I know about the BU's signal required.
Did I miss a mechanic for the PU?

Thanks

No. I am referring to the signal you referenced.

btw... whats wrong with little pictures in a book... i kinda like them!! :p:D

I saw it too. I also explained to someone else why we signal the way we do. Speaking of which, baseball and softball are two different sports with two sets of mechanics, which I somehow manage to keep straight, so why not just learn and do it the softball way for softball and the baseball way for baseball?

And I like the pictures in the books too. They look better than my drawings. :D

I don't do much baseball umpiring, but I do some other stuff in regards to baseball. When I do umpire baseball (7 games last year, probably that this year maybe) I use baseball mechanics. I see a lot of made up shiznits on the baseball field amongst a bunch of folks who think they know better...or do this thing or that things because of Doug Eddings or Richie Garcia or Bill Klem or Bill McGowan or Shag Crawford or Carl Childress :eek:;).

When I do softball, even as lousy an umpire as I am, I use softball mechanics. It ain't that difficult -- I mean, if I can do it, surely many others can do it.

Then again...my strike three looking call is the Shag Crawford strike three looking.

Three threads on how to call a strike?????
Talk about http://static.mazdas247.com/smilies/beat-dead-horse.gif

Wait... we are suppose to call strikes? d@mn!! knew i was forgetting something.
<insert beating a dead horse gif thingey here> :D

And you would think from my games last night I was forgetting HOW to call them. Sheesh. :rolleyes:

At least they are concerning the actual responsibility of an umpire. Besides, resurrecting 4 year old threads shouldn't count (except against the person who did it...) ;)

Hey i have been guilty of the resurrection myself. :p

I go through bouts of insomnia and it seems like a good idea on 2 hours sleep 3 nights in a row. ;)

Exactly!!

I occasionaly now, do BB.
I make it a point to keep my mouth shut, do the best I can and pay attention to their mechanics.

I sure as hell don't go do a baseball game and try to tell him that "That's the way we do it in SB, so that's the way I'm going to do it". Which I seem to have heard a lot from BB guys this year. (Guys who are trying to pick up extra bucks by doing SB).
Must be an economy thing....

My area also has had the influx from the baseball.

I only do softball.

RANT ON

As my partner reluctantly is going along with doing a minimal pregame, he whips the baseball machismo out on me. Never met the guy but thats not gonna stop him from attempting to awe me with " I'm a baseball guy really. I thought I'd come over here to help." He says with his baseball peacock feathers all puffed up.

Yea thanks Buddy, now our mechanics are different , don't know if you've noticed but it's not one from the infield and two from the outfield over on these grassless diamonds-learn the rules.

And stop with machismo I've got a resume that would floor you in this little thing we call life.I'm a pretty tough guy myself. ...so your baseball only act is a joke. Wanna impress be one of the few BB guys who come over and do it RIGHT-the softball way.

BTW you cover 3B on that play partner, thats why the coach was *****ing at you and not me......Some of these silly old softball coaches know their stuff-and they know who doesn't .....

RANT OFF

You: Don't worry, buddy. I'll help you out and if you can hang long enough, we will make you a real umpire before the fourth game.

Might want to stand outside the infield, partner. And the book says she can move while her hands come together, so that was not a balk. :D

I still like the old 4 s's style of dealing with a pitch.
See it
Say it
Stand up and
Signal it
Get a little rythm and it works every time.
Or if you prefer the 5 s's at the plate.
Set
See
Say
Stand
Signal

Try it out, you will slow down and not be prone to mistakes of or rushing your call