Calling the obvious out

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

"In HS/College we are encouraged to NOT call obvious outs--the kind that everyone in the park understands is an out. Just a sign and no verbal is the standard. It fall under the current trend to not embarass or show-up a kid when the play can stand for itself."

Maybe it's just me, but I think people who believe making an Out call on an obvious play will embarrass or show-up a kid are way too oversensitive. True, we shouldn't come through with a punch-out call on a base that dislocates our shoulders. But making anything more than an imperceptible hand gesture is embarrassing? Puhleeze.

What should we do when a pitcher delivers one waist high right smack-down the middle of the plate on two strikes, and the batter watches it go by? That one's pretty obvious, too, isn't it? Should we just give a nonchalant hand signal without the verbal, and save the sells only for the ones that nibble the corners at the knees?

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Maybe it's just me, but I think people who believe making an Out call on an obvious play will embarrass or show-up a kid are way too oversensitive. True, we shouldn't come through with a punch-out call on a base that dislocates our shoulders. But making anything more than an imperceptible hand gesture is embarrassing? Puhleeze.

not because of rubbing it in or not, but to show we knew it was not close; saving the sell for close ones, ball down the line with runner on, called thirds, etc.