Calling

[bluezebra]

"I always call the batter out on a caught 3rd strike; conversely, if the batter is not called out she better be running.

When the pitch comes in and the batter swings and misses, I have nothing to say. Instead, if it is in the zone, then I am going to call (probably forceably) "steeeryke."

THEN --- I am going to look into the glove for the ball; when I know that it is a legal catch I am going to call the batter out. And it if is not a legal catch, but runner at 1st etc., then I am still going to call it."

Doing this, the batter will be confused. She could be all the way to first before you decide if the pitch was caught.

On a swing and miss, it's proper mechanics NOT to verbalize, unless it's the third strike. Called strikes are supposed to be verbalized. It's improper mechanics to call the batter out on a third strike, unless she takes off for 1B when the base is occupied with less then two outs.

Bob