Calling Strikes

[T-Rav]

Should called strikes be signaled and verbalized at the same time? For example: an umpire uses the point to signal strikes but when he is still in his set position he yells "strike" then gets up and points.

I saw an umpire doing it and tried it for a game and found I really liked it but I don't want to be using poor mechanics...

[johnnyg08]

If you want to do it by the book the voice and mechanic should be at same time.

It is a sign of a trained umpire.

[Mike Prince]

I think the mechanic you describe is used in Softball.

[catsbackr]

Definitely softball.

[JPR]

It is more common in softball but there are some MLB umpires for example who have a delay from their verbal to visual signal. I do prefer the similtaneous call.

[Welpe]

I prefer the simultaneous and will do that for baseball. For softball I do the prescribed delay of the verbal call while down in my position and then the ridiculous hammer after standing.

[Thunderheads]

standing up and verbalizing with the signal following VERY VERY closely behind ....not in perfect harmony, but close ........

[NCAAump2]

Verbal and mechanic at the same time is what MOST evaluators look for, and it's what I do. I think it helps slow your timing down, as well as just looks and sounds more professional.