Mechanic question

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

Although I would change one thing with this mechanic, I like the fact that NCAA is letting everyone know that we have a strike three and an uncaught pitch. I would like to see this or some similar type of mechanic in all codes.

Could have sworn it was posted in the spring that the NCAA does not prescribe this mechanic.

And who is seeing this signal? Everyone, but the two involved, batter and catcher. My personal opinion is that this signal is meant to "excuse" the PU if the batter and/or catcher do not properly respond to the play at hand which is exactly why it was developed in MLB. A batter was smarter than a catcher and a coach couldn't win the argument as there was no substance to it.

Personally, the more I think about this, the more I lean toward just dumping the 3rd strike rule. The batter failed, end of story.

If we have a trapped ball on a batted ball, don't we signal or annouce "no catch"?

Not always

If we have a missed tagged by the defense, don't we announce "No tag" and signal safe?

No, not always and in some cases, we are instructed to NOT say that.

Why can't we tell the offense and the defense that we have a strike three and an uncaught pitch? Other than the reason that it isn't an approved mechanic.

Again, who are you telling? Those for whom it would be intended are looking the other way by design. The people who will see the signal are already going to be screaming either "run" or "tag her" or "throw it to 1st" long before the umpire makes such a signal. I consider it extraneous and quite possibly, a good possibility for inconsistency since the PU is not always aware the ball was not caught.

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And who is seeing this signal? Everyone, but the two involved, batter and catcher.

The signal comes with a verbal: "No catch", which is for the batter and catcher to hear because, as you have pointed out, they don't see the signal.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

The signal comes with a verbal: "No catch", which is for the batter and catcher to hear because, as you have pointed out, they don't see the signal.

And is that going to be right away, or after your standard "Strike/Strike Three" call?

How did this game get to the point of needing this after decades of NOT having it? Will the lack of a timely call create any contention with the teams? If the call is not made and a player enters the dugout and the defense never makes a play, is that delayed/changed call placing either in jeopardy?

IMO, unnecessary can of worms that has arisen out of laziness and weak coaching. Like I said, JMO.

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And is that going to be right away, or after your standard "Strike/Strike Three" call?

After

[greg99]

Thanks for everyones responses. Someone asked if her followed her, from my vantage point, he was almost directly behind her, about 3-5 feet. It didn't appear he moved to a better angle. The call was spot on, just a big "tell" to anyone paying attention.
Thanks everyone

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

How did this game get to the point of needing this after decades of NOT having it?

For me, it is innovation.

There were people who didn't think the horseless carriage was necessary - for a variety of what were sound reasons. But, I think the automobile was a positive innovation.

I agree that for many decades we got along fine without letting both teams know what we are ruling on an uncaught third strike, but I personally believe that it is a useful mechanic. I respect your opinion and understand it. I just disagree.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

For me, it is innovation.

There were people who didn't think the horseless carriage was necessary - for a variety of what were sound reasons. But, I think the automobile was a positive innovation.

I agree that for many decades we got along fine without letting both teams know what we are ruling on an uncaught third strike, but I personally believe that it is a useful mechanic. I respect your opinion and understand it. I just disagree.

Not all innovation is good. May seem good, but in the long run, I often have to wonder if it actually improves anything.

How about the verbaliztion of "obstruction"? I just stopped doing it due to the negative effect it had on the game. But it satisfies someone's desire, so it needs to remain even though there is a visual signal that has worked for decades. However, this game is getting so excuse-for-failure heavy, look out for OBS to become a dead ball and instant award in the next decade or two.

The TV remote is a good example. Sure, it is convenient, but it made folks lazy and in some cases, stupid. Same with the automatic transmission in a vehicle. Talk about an innovation which has dummied down a society.

Ever see a teenager try to "dial" a phone number? Or a college student not be able to figure out the change for a $70 tab from a $100 bill without a calculator? In the 70s, (yes, even that long ago) when I worked for Southland in FL, there was a power outage at the store and no one could figure out how I could keep the business open without an operating electric cash register. Go figure, the math I learned in 3rd grade confused the big, college graduate who was my alleged superior.

New and different doesn't mean better, and if you played the game of softball 20-30 years ago, you should be able to appreciate how weak the skill levels have become for some playing today's game.

Question: Before the incident in MLB, did you ever hear such an uproar for a mechanic on a U3K? Even with the mechanic, what has actually changed other than the appearance that there was some sort of reaction?

You can agree and I can disagree, but I cannot see one positive it adds to the game.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Not all innovation is good. May seem good, but in the long run, I often have to wonder if it actually improves anything.

How about the verbaliztion of "obstruction"? I just stopped doing it due to the negative effect it had on the game. But it satisfies someone's desire, so it needs to remain even though there is a visual signal that has worked for decades. However, this game is getting so excuse-for-failure heavy, look out for OBS to become a dead ball and instant award in the next decade or two.

The TV remote is a good example. Sure, it is convenient, but it made folks lazy and in some cases, stupid. Same with the automatic transmission in a vehicle. Talk about an innovation which has dummied down a society.

Ever see a teenager try to "dial" a phone number? Or a college student not be able to figure out the change for a $70 tab from a $100 bill without a calculator? In the 70s, (yes, even that long ago) when I worked for Southland in FL, there was a power outage at the store and no one could figure out how I could keep the business open without an operating electric cash register. Go figure, the math I learned in 3rd grade confused the big, college graduate who was my alleged superior.

New and different doesn't mean better, and if you played the game of softball 20-30 years ago, you should be able to appreciate how weak the skill levels have become for some playing today's game.

Question: Before the incident in MLB, did you ever hear such an uproar for a mechanic on a U3K? Even with the mechanic, what has actually changed other than the appearance that there was some sort of reaction?

You can agree and I can disagree, but I cannot see one positive it adds to the game.

1) You are not old enough for this kind of rant. Next thing you know you will be going about growing up with no air conditioning, riding a bike w/o a helmet or maybe penny candy.

2) Poor 3rd grade math has little to do with declining playing skills.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

1) You are not old enough for this kind of rant. Next thing you know you will be going about growing up with no air conditioning, riding a bike w/o a helmet or maybe penny candy.

I did not have TV, black and white, in my younger years. The air conditioner was an open window. Milk & other dairy products,, bread & potato chips, along with household goods (Fuller Brush) and footwear were delivered to you door. As was a newspaper and mail, yes MAIL, twice a day. You went to a butcher for meats, farmer's market for vegetables & fruit, bakery for bread, cakes & pies and corner grocery for non-perishibles. Went to the mill for cloth and dry goods for other products.

2) Poor 3rd grade math has little to do with declining playing skills.

It isn't the 3rd grade math that I believe to be poor.

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Question: Before the incident in MLB, did you ever hear such an uproar for a mechanic on a U3K? Even with the mechanic, what has actually changed other than the appearance that there was some sort of reaction?

You can agree and I can disagree, but I cannot see one positive it adds to the game.

If it prevents the coach from arguing "Your fist was up in the air. You called my batter out," that's a good enough "positive" for me.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

(Snip) I consider it extraneous and quite possibly, a good possibility for inconsistency since the PU is not always aware the ball was not caught.

Oh boy, you're goinna love this........

NCAA mechanics require the field umpires to assist on 3rd strike calls with a physical signal indicating either catch or no catch...

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

Oh boy, you're goinna love this........

NCAA mechanics require the field umpires to assist on 3rd strike calls with a physical signal indicating either catch or no catch...

The book says to only do so on strike three calls when the batter can advance. At a few clinics I've attended, the clinicians have told us to do it on every strike three.