Timing Play

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Dakota

If no one does anything different after the signal than they would otherwise, what good is the signal?

It's simply a reminder that there are two outs and the possibility of a timing play is greater than if there was one out, or there was two outs but no runner in scoring position. It's probably not endorsed by certain ruling bodies because they feel umpires should already know the situation and need not be reminded.

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

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?

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.