Poll: U3K Mechanics

[johnnyg08]

I have heard others say to show a safe signal with closed fists. I don't understand why the difference, I use a safe signal period. You don't show a no catch in the field with closed fists and this is really no different. Do what your association says do, I just don't get the logic.

Just don't use an open fist

[johnnyg08]

Taylor...we're told to give the closed fist safe signal on ALL NO CATCHES...including outfield....

The only logic I see is we are using open hands for a Safe w/regards to a base...closed w/regards to the catch....

For clarification...the mechanic we are taught is to just extend our arms directly out from our shoulders with closed fist...no waving like we do with a safe call. On a safe call we are taught to bring our hand even to shoulder heigth, elbows back and extend our hand until they are in line with our shoulder...that's it...nothing more, nothing less. We don't want anyone trying for a vertical takeoff

Why any different? Safe signal means safe or no catch depending on context. Nobody else knows the difference.

[UmpTTS43]

You seem to have an answer for everything...

No disrespect here.... But Haid D' Salaami is right. When the pitcher has the ball on or near the rubber there are a multitude of things the PU should be watching. This is not the time to be looking down to get your spacing from the catcher. I know it sounds like a small thing but these are the type of subtleties that seperate good umpires from the upper echelon. Once you reach the college and pro level, most if not all umpire are good umpires. Sure 99 times out of 100 you can look down and nothing will happen.....but is that one time when you do it and you miss a balk or something that you should have seen.

While I am not totally disagreeing with you, there are times when you need to look down. You have one, if not two or more other umpires working that can catch a balk if necessary. There was a DI coordinator that would look through binoculars to see if you were checking the corners of the plate prior to the pitch. A glance to check spacing, batter's zone and the like is not out of the ordinary.

[Fittske24]

You seem to have an answer for everything...

No disrespect here.... But Haid D' Salaami is right. When the pitcher has the ball on or near the rubber there are a multitude of things the PU should be watching. This is not the time to be looking down to get your spacing from the catcher. I know it sounds like a small thing but these are the type of subtleties that seperate good umpires from the upper echelon. Once you reach the college and pro level, most if not all umpire are good umpires. Sure 99 times out of 100 you can look down and nothing will happen.....but is that one time when you do it and you miss a balk or something that you should have seen.

While I am not totally disagreeing with you, there are times when you need to look down. You have one, if not two or more other umpires working that can catch a balk if necessary. There was a DI coordinator that would look through binoculars to see if you were checking the corners of the plate prior to the pitch. A glance to check spacing, batter's zone and the like is not out of the ordinary.

Agreed. Didn't mean to imply one should never look down. Just don't make it a habit to the point your looking down after every pitch. If you do your bound to miss something important.

[Haid D' Salaami]

I never understood be touching the Catcher thing.

There is no need to do it!

You can just look and see where you are.

(null)

But then your taking your eyes off the pitcher..and if he balks, what are you gonna say then....lol

You seem to have an answer for everything...what's the "proper" way to set up behind F2...I don't touch him either...I step into position with one move. Right foot in the "split" and left foot in the "slot" and straight down from there....LOL

I do have an answer.. I have had a lot of training that has helped....lol

[mstaylor]

I guess because I scissor, I have to go down later than other stances. I just slide my front foot in place then slide my back foot on the pitcher's first move. My spacing is usually pretty good, on occassion I will be a little back but that isn't a problem.

[JaxRolo]

I never understood be touching the Catcher thing.

There is no need to do it!

You can just look and see where you are.

(null)

But then your taking your eyes off the pitcher..and if he balks, what are you gonna say then....lol

I don't always take my eyes of the pitcher. I just don't think its that hard to just get set behind the catcher.

[johnnyg08]

Taylor...we're told to give the closed fist safe signal on ALL NO CATCHES...including outfield....

:shrug:

What's the reason behind that? NCAA D 1 manual states that even at the CWS, umpires do not signal "out" on obvious fly ball outs. On an obvious hit, nobody is watching you anyway, they're watching the ball. Seems like wasted movement.

[mstaylor]

I agree that no signal on an obvious single in the outfield. If it is close but still fairly clear I will show a safe sign. If it is a trouble ball I give signal and voice.

Now if I am on the plate and I have outfield coverage responsibility, even if it is obvious, I will tell my parter that is down. He is watching the touch at first so he needs to know if he has a live runner or not.

[NWA_UMP]

I agree that no signal on an obvious single in the outfield. If it is close but still fairly clear I will show a safe sign. If it is a trouble ball I give signal and voice.

Now if I am on the plate and I have outfield coverage responsibility, even if it is obvious, I will tell my parter that is down. He is watching the touch at first so he needs to know if he has a live runner or not.

Maybe this is backwards...

I have been told that a fly ball catch in the outfield get a verbal call to my partner...something as suttle as "catch Jim" or just "Jim" letting him know we have a catch...if I say nothing...play on.

As far as setting up behind the ctacher...I will check spacing before I ever get set...before the pitcher step on the pitchers plate or as soon as F2 sets up I set my right foot. That is the key to spacing and slot position. If you set your right foot(RH Batter, left for LH batter) it should be automatic from there...unless you have a hopping F2. I have told F2 before that I will set on him on his initial set-up...if he moves back he will have a knee in his back. Usually happens only a couple times and he gets the picture.

[mstaylor]

I announce both to my partner, "That's a catch Jim" or "It's down." One lets him know to gear down, the other tells him to pick up the ball and continue the play.

[NWA_UMP]

I think either way is fine...as long as it is covered in pre-game. I always tell my partner in pre-game what I will do on a fly to the OF. If he has an issue with it, that would be the time to bring it up...