Verbalizing Balls and Strikes

[MCLEOD36]

I have found the verbalization helps the overall timing, thus, I will be verbal. If you stay consistent, then it keeps the "background noise coaches/fans" to minimal even after 250 pitches. It is like verbalizing count, I tend to do it on odd counts, with fingers and vocals. To many times, scoreboards are wrong and you are then not looked at as a dope. On plays made, steals etc. I will vocalize again to help partner out...

[noumpere]

Found myself forgetting to do it in half the pitches.

You got 50% in one game. Keep it up and you'll be at 93% - 94% in three more games.

[DirtyDawg]

You got 50% in one game. Keep it up and you'll be at 93% - 94% in three more games.

Alright, where does this logic come from?

[PeteBooth]

Seems like this subject has been brought up in several Threads.

So I would like a POLL to see how many of you actually Verbalize Out-Loud both Balls and Strikes

.

When I first started we were taught to only signal strikes which IMO makes perfect sense. If it's not a strike then it's obviously a ball.

Like most of these type threads, do what your particular association wants you to do.

I verbalize ball when it's ball 4. Othet then that I do not verbalize ball calls.

Pete Booth

[yawetag]

Alright, where does this logic come from?

Game 1: 50%

Game 2: 50% of the 50% he missed from Game 1- 75%

Game 3: 50% of the 25% he missed from Game 2 - 87.5%

Game 4: 50% of the 12.5% he missed from Game 3 - 93.75%

[DirtyDawg]

I see......well, I can't find any flaw to this logic. Anyone else want to give it a go?

[JaxRolo]

Game 1: 50%

Game 2: 50% of the 50% he missed from Game 1- 75%

Game 3: 50% of the 25% he missed from Game 2 - 87.5%

Game 4: 50% of the 12.5% he missed from Game 3 - 93.75%

umm makes sense to me! :agasp_:

[NWA_UMP]

Great thread! Never gave locations or hand signals either. One guy in our crew does BOTH and he is not well respected. I picked up on that QUICKLY! I call balls except for the 59' or the 75' ones...one guy does some DII and if he has a n+#%cutter on a ball he sells the call. Don't know if I like that or not His call. I THINK I like the advice about calling locations on a Rare pitch that seems to warrant it...just don't want to get into a bad habit...

[kwiggie]

When I first started we were taught to only signal strikes which IMO makes perfect sense. If it's not a strike then it's obviously a ball.

Yes, thank you Pete

I verbalize ball when it's ball 4. Othet then that I do not verbalize ball calls.

Again, thank you Pete

I doubt I would ever vocalize every call during the game, in all fairness that is just how it is done where I work.

[Guest]

Game 1: 50%

Game 2: 50% of the 50% he missed from Game 1- 75%

Game 3: 50% of the 25% he missed from Game 2 - 87.5%

Game 4: 50% of the 12.5% he missed from Game 3 - 93.75%

I see......well, I can't find any flaw to this logic. Anyone else want to give it a go?

It assumes

A) a direct 50% split of calls - say there's 19 balls thrown in a game....how do you call half a ball?

a precise 50% learning success rate. No guarantees you will improve to this extent.

C) it excludes the potential for a better than 50% improvement.

Flaws identified

:smachhead:

[yawetag]

A) a direct 50% split of calls - say there's 19 balls thrown in a game....how do you call half a ball?

It's half a strike, so I'm calling it a strike. :smachhead:

[DirtyDawg]

It's easy, you call it a ball while signaling strike!

[jjb]

And then there's....

[Umpire in Chief]

Wow, I really like the white shoes....

Hadn't seen this before, Thanks.

[kwiggie]

I saw a guy come out for a plate one day, dark blue short sleeve, red UA long sleeves, the old +POS blue ballbags with red trim and blue mask with red pads. He quickly became known as Captain America. He only did it once.

If this guy was Mstaylor's "Captain America" ... well just visualize it! OUTSTANDING :big_no

[dleavitt39]

And then there's....

how did he not pass out from dizziness with all that moving around behind the plate

DL

[SGT. D.]

Whoa, a little too much coffey? Maybe he has to pee?

That is funny!

[mstaylor]

All I can say is WOW! Obviously never heard about the moving camera.

[Dragon29]

Man! That guy is the game, isn't he?

I'll bet people are coming from miles around just to watch him umpire.

I especially love, "Nooo! That's a little too high." . . . and, of course, the shoes.

[kwiggie]

I especially love, "Nooo! That's a little too high." . . . and, of course, the shoes.

No way....

1. "Threeeee, batters out!" (exit stage left) has me rolling every night.

[BrianC14]

And then there's....

What a tool. He makes the guy from the TV show look good.

[zm1283]

I verbalize ball calls on ones that need to be called (Not 59-footers or pitches that go to the backstop). I never give hand signals, and I will very rarely give a location, but just to the catcher. (Maybe once or twice a game) My dad, who has been umpiring for 20+ years and has worked two state championships, does give hand signals and the location frequently throughout the game and it works well for him. I won't ever do it, and I wouldn't encourage others who I'm teaching to do it, but I realize it can work for some people.

[cardinalfan]

That was a serious flinch by Norm at the .42 second mark on the foul ball. But after watching, it looks like the guy is wearing dress slacks with no sign of shin guards underneath. Along with those white sneakers and probably a ribbed chest protector, I'd be flinching, too!

I showed this to my wife, and we both laughed. Then I honestly told her I wish I had this guy's enthusiasm and energy!

[kwiggie]

That was a serious flinch by Norm at the .42 second mark on the foul ball.

This is my #2 pick!!!! Is it wrong that I am seriously addicted to this vid????

I laughed for about a month straight at the Earl Weaver ejection that Nate posted last season.

[jnazz]

Re: Verbalizing balls

I personally think that when an umpire doesn't verbalize the close ball call, it looks like the pitch froze (or shocked) him. This may not be an issue with the younger ages, but the older players definately notice it.