Umpire Signal Third Strike

quote:

Originally posted by POLOGREEN:
Want to know what other guys use as a field umpire to help the UIC on third strikes were caught or not?

I tell the UIC that if I see a doubtful one, I will put my thumb up (against my belt) or point down, depending on what I think I saw.

I've used that one also!

quote:

Originally posted by POLOGREEN:
I've used that one also!

I also tell him that it's gonna be quick and not very noticeable. I don't want a mgr. seeing me do it. In 21 years though I've never had anyone say they saw me and used my signal. I still do it outta habit.
BTW: I worked with a guy a few years ago who said he came from NY area (he drove a caw - if you know what I mean) and he said that Chicago area umps are tougher on balks. He said, and I quote, "you guys around here don't even allow a pitcher to raise his shoulders when he takes a deep breath after coming set". He also said that we don't allow the swinging arm with the ball as the pitcher is getting his sign. Far as I know by rule, that's a balk and I call it. The raising of the shoulders on a set for breathing is - umpires judgment.
So - is it true that 'out East' you are 'looser'?

As far as being from the NY area "FaGettaboutit".
This year it is a point of emphisis the "Gorilla" arm swing is a NO NO!

Ball caught, closed fist. Ball not caught, index finger pointing down.

Thanks pilsner never used that one!

quote:

Originally posted by dave0mary:
The raising of the shoulders on a set for breathing is - umpires judgment.
So - is it true that 'out East' you are 'looser'?

I have never called a balk for illegal breathing.

QUOTE]
I have never called a balk for illegal breathing.[/QUOTE]

There was a kid at Dekalb, IL a few years ago that used his 'breathing' to disguise a pickoff. Can't describe to you in detail here ...
Our assoc. knew of him when I asked! They'd seen it. One guy called him on it.

quote:

Originally posted by pilsner:
Ball caught, closed fist. Ball not caught, index finger pointing down.

about the same here ....
Ball caught, closed fist. Ball not caught, open palm..

Not to show my ignorance, but why is this kept discrete?

Is getting help for a play you can't see such a bad thing? I've never noticed this interaction before, but I've wondered why there wasn't some kind of sign (and frankly wondered how the HU does it so well most of the time).

Seems like getting some 'overt' help wouldn't be a great travesty.

I dont really think this needs to be any more discrete than any of our other signals.....we are often 90+ feet away from each other so many times verbal signals would be distracting for the players or might provide situational information that the teams should be aware of on their own...

we have discrete signals for:

infield fly situations
time plays
rotations
meet in between innings
coverage confirmation

quote:

Originally posted by JMoff:
Not to show my ignorance, but why is this kept discrete?

Is getting help for a play you can't see such a bad thing? I've never noticed this interaction before, but I've wondered why there wasn't some kind of sign (and frankly wondered how the HU does it so well most of the time).

Seems like getting some 'overt' help wouldn't be a great travesty.

It is still the plate umpire's call and there is no guarantee that the BU actually saw it correctly. (In support of this, there are some figures floating around MLB that indicate that at least half the time umpires huddle and then change a call in an effort to "get it right", they get it wrong and the initial was right in the first place.)

If this was overt, you might well have two umpires, both convinced of their call, emphatically signalling different rulings. As a coach, would you prefer that?

I won't pick up that end of the stick volunatarily.

quote:

Originally posted by pilsner:
Ball caught, closed fist. Ball not caught, index finger pointing down.

We use a similar signal, for an uncaught ball we'll have an open palm arounf the belt, but if in the A position the BU will just quietly step into fair territory for a D3K.

Warren

We do the fist/open hand the same as PIAA.