dropped 3rd strike:

1) you know those dropped 3rd strikes where the batter doesn't realize she can run until a hundred people are screaming at her:

a) would she be out once she was 3 feet away from the base line ?? i thought she could walk all the way to the edge of the dugout (usually an exposed players bench where I ump) and then run to first from there

b) if she can get to the edge of the dugout and then try to get to 1st, is her base path established as directly from the dugout to the 1st base bag?? or does she have to somehow return to the 1st base line and then advance ??



2) a colleague watched a game i umped sunday night and told me later i should always call out the count when there's two strikes and a dropped 3rd strike would be available to the offense if it happened

i told him that i didn't think that made sense, that if the coaches aren't paying attention or they aren't asking for the count then that's a coaching fault

do any of you remind everyone of the count when there's two out and a dropped 3rd strike is available ???

dropped 3rd strike:

1) you know those dropped 3rd strikes where the batter doesn't realize she can run until a hundred people are screaming at her:

a) would she be out once she was 3 feet away from the base line ?? i thought she could walk all the way to the edge of the dugout (usually an exposed players bench where I ump) and then run to first from there

You are correct. The "three-foot" part only applies when a defensive player is attempting to tag the runner.

b) if she can get to the edge of the dugout and then try to get to 1st, is her base path established as directly from the dugout to the 1st base bag?? or does she have to somehow return to the 1st base line and then advance ??

The basepath is a direct line from where the runner is to (in this case) first base. Once again, this is not applicable unless a fielder with the ball is trying to tag the runner.

2) a colleague watched a game i umped sunday night and told me later i should always call out the count when there's two strikes and a dropped 3rd strike would be available to the offense if it happened

i told him that i didn't think that made sense, that if the coaches aren't paying attention or they aren't asking for the count then that's a coaching fault

do any of you remind everyone of the count when there's two out and a dropped 3rd strike is available ???

I give the count
- the first time I have either an x-2 or a 3-x count
- the first time I have a 3-2 count
- anytime I am asked

Andy handled the D3K questions correctly, so I'm just responding to the question about when I give the count.

I give the count whenever:

1) Three pitches have been thrown and every 2 pitches thereafter;
2) The first time the next pitch can result in the end of the batter's time at bat (i.e. 3-x or x-2) and every 2 pitches thereafter;
3) The first time the count is 3-2 and every 2 pitches thereafter;
4) There has been a long pause (e.g. changing pitchers);
5) Anyone asks (unless live action is still going on).

I was taught (by a former ASA National UIC) pretty much the same, to give the count:
- after the third pitch, regardless of count
- ater each pitch when there are 2 strikes or 3 balls
- anytime I am asked
And by the way, the correct method is using the words balls and strikes (e.g., "2 balls, 1 strike", "2 strikes", "3 balls", etc.), along with the raised hands and fingers. I try to do the verbal before replacing my mask and the visual afterward. The BU is supposed to mirror the visual.

I follow what Cecil does. I will give the count to the pitcher, always looking at her/him, regardless of who ask and when she is ready to pitch again. I find giving it to a coach or when time is out when not everone is paying attention ends up with someone else asking for the count.

My favorite is when I give the count after a pitch, I am loud so the centerfielder can hear me and after the next pitch someone will ask what the count is. Feel like telling them it is one more ball/strike then it was one pitch ago..........but I give it again.

I will give the count directly to a coach or player (batter or catcher or pitcher) who asks. When normally giving the count, rotate my hands to give both the base coaches and the pitcher front and back view. I make sure the pitcher is looking, but the coaches are on their own.

Right, I didn't talk about in FP facing my hands first to the fielders, then sideways to the coaches. Also, I will usually say "1 and 1", just for the batter and catcher, especially after a delay. The pitcher gets a silent count anytime she looks at me.
Something I have noticed is that in HS, the coaches rarely ask the count, but in youth it's twice for every pitch and usually when I'm saying something else.

In SP, fewer counts are given, with less attention to who hears or sees besides the batter and catcher. There, I am more likely to say "ball two" or "strike two", especially when starting with 1 and 1 speed up counts.

bobbrix wrote:

<b>do any of you remind everyone of the count when there's two out and a dropped 3rd strike is available ???</b>

If you are asking if I remind them that the 3rd K is possible
and in effect, NO, never. I will give the count when
the next pitch will make something happen, 0-2 or 3-2, or
when asked, but never mention that a <u>dropped 3rd strike on
the next pitch is possible.</u>

glen

I agree - 100%. Never give coaching hints. Just the count.