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Other than when putting the ball in play, or when going to your partner for help on a checked swing, I didn't know a point signal was an appropriate mechanic to begin with.
![]() The reason I don't like to point is because I may point prematurely (poor timing), seeing what I thought was a tag, only to subsequently see the fielder lose possession of the ball. If I point, the fielder loses possession, then she regains possession and can still make the tag for an out, my point will be for naught when it comes to the timing of the run scoring. And since I don't point when it comes to other tag plays, I don't want to get into a possible bad habit of doing so.
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"Let's face it. Umpiring is not an easy or happy way to make a living. In the abuse they suffer, and the pay they get for it, you see an imbalance that can only be explained by their need to stay close to a game they can't resist." -- Bob Uecker |
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Ok, so I'm curious. There's a mechanic you don't use that would help your partner 95% of the time, and give incorrect information 5%... or you could go with no mechanic and leave him in the dark 100% of the time.
See where I'm going?
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I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, 'I drank what?'” West Houston Mike |
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Exactly.
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I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, 'I drank what?'” West Houston Mike |
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I used to point at plays when I first started umpiring. But I was drilled and drilled that I had to get rid of the point, so I make a conscious effort not to use it anymore. That's really why I don't point in this scenario. If it is acceptable to point, I have no problem doing it. I just didn't think the point was acceptable for any play.
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"Let's face it. Umpiring is not an easy or happy way to make a living. In the abuse they suffer, and the pay they get for it, you see an imbalance that can only be explained by their need to stay close to a game they can't resist." -- Bob Uecker |
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I came up with the habit of pointing on all my sells, many of which were legitimate, some not so much. I discovered I did this for balance on an overhand. When I stepped forward with my left foot, I pull back my right shoulder and a natural (for me) reaction was to extend my left arm for balance and that seemed to turn into a point. Occasionally, still have to work at holding it back.
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball. |
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__________________
"Let's face it. Umpiring is not an easy or happy way to make a living. In the abuse they suffer, and the pay they get for it, you see an imbalance that can only be explained by their need to stay close to a game they can't resist." -- Bob Uecker |
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I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, 'I drank what?'” West Houston Mike |
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But even a point, to a degree, could backfire, as I mentioned. Just like you don't want to make an immediate Out call until you've seen the play through its conclusion, you really don't want to point immediately either. Poor timing may bite you. You mentioned the lack of a signal leaving the PU in the dark 100% of the time. But that 100% really only applies to extremely close calls as what happened to you. In reality, most timing plays aren't very close. So not getting a conspicuous signal from a partner on the bases isn't going to make or break the final call.
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"Let's face it. Umpiring is not an easy or happy way to make a living. In the abuse they suffer, and the pay they get for it, you see an imbalance that can only be explained by their need to stay close to a game they can't resist." -- Bob Uecker |
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Fair enough.
This is why I asked the question - to see what the "general" consensus was around what umpires might do differently after using the, ahem, 2-outs slash look what time it is signal. Obviously, my partner's understanding of that and mine differed - and given that he's the big fish in comparison, I was looking for input from a more national audience. Thanks all.
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I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, 'I drank what?'” West Houston Mike |
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If you point at something that causes a safe call, the position of the runner is irrelevant as there is no decision to be made.
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball. |
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Yeah, I meant to comment on that, too. Simply forgot.
Softball doesn't really recognize a timing play signal. NCAA used to, but changed its' use, I believe last year, to simply remind any time there are two outs. Because, frankly, any time a runner is on any base, there is the possibility of a timing play. So, why do it? To make sure the entire crew is reminded there are two outs; so, a possible timing play, obviously no IFF, etc. Even if you don't do anything apparently different, we are reminding each other there are two outs; a distinction well worth knowing (compared to less than two outs).
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Steve ASA/ISF/NCAA/NFHS/PGF |
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That's OK, you do the talking - I'll just remind you if I think of something. ;-)
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And, BTW, if an umpire doesn't understand what could happen or should not happen with two outs, I have a school for you........
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball. |
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