3rd strike dropped mechanic ?

[UmpireErnie]

Originally Posted by KJUmp

"If the pitch was judged 'not caught' but it is not obvious that the catcher did not catch the pitch or there is any confusion among the immediate participants, the plate umpire after giving the standard 'strike signal' shall immediately give a standard 'safe' signal and verbally announce 'No Catch' to indicate that the pitch was not caught."

Based on how the NCAA mechanic is written it is discretionary for the PU to make this signal when necessary to communicate his/her judgement on whether or not the pitch was legally caught.

In ASA/NFHS mechanics..we simply say strike (or say nothing while signalling strike for a swing) then the players have to decide if the ball was caught or not. Sometimes U3K is pretty obvious other times it is a close call as to whether or not the ball was caught on the fly or short hopped into F2s glove. IMO there should be some way for us to communicate what our call is in these situations without the BR having to try for 1B or F2 to have to throw to 1B "just in case".