Up or down?

[Guest dylnnnnn]

Balls and strikes, I was always taught that you call a ball while down and stand up to call and signal strike.  I have read where Peter Osborne and Carl Childress advocate

that you call both while down.  Would like the group's input on this.  Thanks.

[noumpere]

1 hour ago, Guest dylnnnnn said:

Balls and strikes, I was always taught that you call a ball while down and stand up to call and signal strike.  I have read where Peter Osborne and Carl Childress advocate

that you call both while down.  Would like the group's input on this.  Thanks.

Consider the source, and compare to the others from whom you have heard.

[maven]

In a way, we "call" both while down. Before I move, signal, or verbalize anything, I determine the call, ball or strike, mentally.

Then we use our mechanics:

• For 'ball': we don't signal anything, but only verbalize, medium volume, "Ball." No need to stand for that (Evans teaches that we stay down partly to be in F2's ear, as he's the first one we have to convince of the call!)
• For 'strike': we stand, signal, and (for called strikes) verbalize the call. Standing confers power and authority on the call.

I don't know why CC recommends staying down, unless it's to help umpires with bad timing who stand up quickly and then call 'ball'. If we just want consistency, why not stand up for every call? Or maybe it's to ease the stress on the back? Or just being contrary? I dunno.

[Mister B]

I think the important part is the "read". Take your time. The more I learn and work, the more I'm amazed at how quickly some guys make a call. Sometimes it feels like they are anticipating the call and are already in the motion before the play actually occurs. 

Perhaps the motion of standing reinforces that, it gives you time to think about the pitch. 

[BT_Blue]

1 hour ago, Mister B said:

I think the important part is the "read". Take your time. The more I learn and work, the more I'm amazed at how quickly some guys make a call. Sometimes it feels like they are anticipating the call and are already in the motion before the play actually occurs. 

Perhaps the motion of standing reinforces that, it gives you time to think about the pitch. 

This is generally an issue with tracking and/or proper use of eyes. At least when it has to do with balls and strikes.

As for CC, who the heck knows. Could be he is still teaching the old way?

[Senor Azul]

Here’s why Carl Childress stays down to call any pitch (quoted from his website):

I changed from “come up on a strike” right after my first game back in 1954. During that game this sequence occurred: Pitch, pop, come up, “Ball!” Yuk! I had changed my mind on the way up. I call that jerking. After she saw my game, my mother said that only jerks do it. So, from then on I simply stayed down on both balls and strikes, coming up after the call to signal the strike. It’s certainly dealer’s choice. But if there’s the slightest chance you will “come up” and call “Ball ” a la the young Carl, please bifurcate. I won’t tell.

[BT_Blue]

So... since he has been doing it for 60 plus years, it is the right way?

Then you do that and go to any camp around. And they have to beat it out of you to take your time before coming up to make your strike call.

[maven]

Looks as if my first hypothesis was correct....

[JaxRolo]

Come up to make the strike call. That's how real Umpires do it.

Right Softball guys?

[VolUmp]

On 11/25/2016 at 9:39 AM, Guest dylnnnnn said:

Balls and strikes, I was always taught that you call a ball while down and stand up to call and signal strike.  I have read where Peter Osborne and Carl Childress advocate

that you call both while down.  Would like the group's input on this.  Thanks.

Every college camp I've been to is crystal clear:

Stay down for ball.   Stand and use mechanic for strike.

My ball call is immediate - in the catcher's ear.  My strike call is significantly slower.

By about the third batter, he gets my timing, and I don't need to put up with him "holding" a framed pitch for 3 futile seconds.