called first and second strike?

[1dumbquestion]

my called 1st or 2nd strike is a strong STIIIKE with a "throw the dart" type point to the right. my question is do you change the strength/loudness of the call depenting on location? if the pitch is at the corner of penis and broadway is it more relaxed and quieter than if its at the knees and a ball off the plate? thanks, 1

[Thunderheads]

my called 1st or 2nd strike is a strong STIIIKE with a "throw the dart" type point to the right. my question is do you change the strength/loudness of the call depenting on location? if the pitch is at the corner of penis and broadway is it more relaxed and quieter than if its at the knees and a ball off the plate? thanks, 1

Location ? No, ....and for me, ...strike is a strike ......my emphasis is the same for all 1 and 2s ........

[Mr Umpire]

No different for any of them. Not even strike 3. The only difference for me is the mechanic.

When you start trying to sell strikes is when you get yourself in trouble. They may interpret it as "not being sure about it so you are trying to convince them". At the time I call it, I am sure. I may think about it later, but they won't know that.

[semper_fi_72]

Strike 1 and 2 are the same.

Strike three has a little more emphasis and gets the chain saw.

[1dumbquestion]

No different for any of them. Not even strike 3. The only difference for me is the mechanic.

When you start trying to sell strikes is when you get yourself in trouble. They may interpret it as "not being sure about it so you are trying to convince them". At the time I call it, I am sure. I may think about it later, but they won't know that.

I completely agree but let me play devils advocate for a minute. We "sell" calls all the time all over the diamond, so why not behind the plate. I only brought this up because over this last month watching alot of non-pro umps on tv I saw (like we all did) some strange mechanics and this was one of them. I have always (and will continue) called my 1st and 2nd strike the same regardless of location, with my called 3rd being a little stronger and including "THREE" while I draw my bow. thanks for the feedback. 1

[Mr Umpire]

I completely agree but let me play devils advocate for a minute. We "sell" calls all the time all over the diamond, so why not behind the plate. I only brought this up because over this last month watching alot of non-pro umps on tv I saw (like we all did) some strange mechanics and this was one of them. I have always (and will continue) called my 1st and 2nd strike the same regardless of location, with my called 3rd being a little stronger and including "THREE" while I draw my bow. thanks for the feedback. 1

Well, the difference between pitches and a play on the bases is where the focus is on. When a pitch goes by, the focus in that small area around HP: batter, F2, and PU. Noise level is low waiting to see what happens. When a play occurs, the focus is on the events and the noise is usually much higher.

Have you ever had to make a foul ball call and no one hears you b/c their focus is on the ball being close to the line? Then, when BR is halfway to 2B, they finally realize it was called foul.

However, I don't do anything to "sell" the call except be a little more vocal so they hear me. Well, I don't do it anymore. I did when I started but I have learned that it makes very little difference. If they are going to argue, they will regardless of how it was called. That has been my general experience so why mess up my throat for no reason. The only difference is the mechanics are a little sharper and quicker rather than being leisure with the obvious ones. But, the voice is about the same as calling pitches.

[Umpire in Chief]

On closer pitches I do give more volume, authoritative volume.

[dumbdumb]

On closer pitches I do give more volume, authoritative volume.

A lot of us probably do this, possibly without even knowing it. If you look at it from the standpoint of a manager wanting to chirp at you on a close pitch, the manager probably has picked up on this, and may chirp on these pitches since he figures they would be really close and borderline and a good pitch to chirp at you on. Don't know if this is true, but the thought just crossed my mind.

[FVBump]

I do my best to keep the same volume/tone....It is not easy. But am getting better with it.

[Fittske24]

I keep all callled strikes (with the exception of strike 3) the same volume. Now on a close pitch that is a "ball" I will put a little more volume to let everyone know that "yeah I saw it..... and Yes it was a ball"

[Thunderheads]

I keep all callled strikes (with the exception of strike 3) the same volume. Now on a close pitch that is a "ball" I will put a little more volume to let everyone know that "yeah I saw it..... and Yes it was a ball"

Sometimes I think an emphasized 'ball' call may draw attention to the fact that it was close and might be taken the wrong way......but that's me, I can see both sides of it ...

[catoblue]

Me, all strikes called with the same emphasis and volume "HIKE!" - only with the third, there is the addition of "HEE!" and starting the chainsaw.

Balls I call all the same, simply saying "ball" loud enough for Batter, F1 & F2 to hear. On ball four, I say "ball four", so that everyone knows it's a base on balls, but the volume and emphasis on ball four is the same as ball 1-3.

[widac]

Me, all strikes called with the same emphasis and volume "HIKE!" - only with the third, there is the addition of "HEE!" and starting the chainsaw.

Balls I call all the same, simply saying "ball" loud enough for Batter, F1 & F2 to hear. On ball four, I say "ball four", so that everyone knows it's a base on balls, but the volume and emphasis on ball four is the same as ball 1-3.

I agree with the above, although I don't say 'four'. I have a partner who put an emphasis his 'ball' call sometimes when it's close. What I have always thought about it is that it sounds defensive when he does it and sounds like he's not sure. I don't like it.

[JaxRolo]

Me, all strikes called with the same emphasis and volume "HIKE!" - only with the third, there is the addition of "HEE!" and starting the chainsaw.

Balls I call all the same, simply saying "ball" loud enough for Batter, F1 & F2 to hear. On ball four, I say "ball four", so that everyone knows it's a base on balls, but the volume and emphasis on ball four is the same as ball 1-3.

I am just asking- you said you call "ball" for F1 and F2 to hear. Then Ball 4 for everyone to know but yet its the same volume. so what is different?

[FVBump]

So after a couple of games of fall ball, I have realized my strike 3 is louder than the others.

And when I voice a ball, it is always loud enough for both benches to hear.