Signals (communications between partners)

[BT_Blue]

I don't wipe the infield fly.  

 

a couple other things are different for me too.  but it sounds like you have a plan to cover what you want covered.

 

I agree with not "wiping off" a sign. The situation should dictate the change as well as the proper signal for the new situation. I always felt the wipe was unnecessary, looked odd, and was just a waste of motion.

[th3]

i was trying to use the hands on knees as a signal in my game saturday and discovered two things...1st, my partner had no concept of putting the ball in play...second, i (maybe like jocko) found that the picthers "semi-intentionally" toe the rubber before really toeing the rubber...often the would look down, put there foot on kind of open to the plate, and then turn and settle into the set...in my mind, they werent really engaged until the 2nd part of that but i dont know if thats right

[BalkHawk]

I'm surprised to find out that the on-the-rubber/hands-on-knees mechanic is new to some. I have used that mechanic for the entirety of my career: I thought this was standard practice.

 

When F1 has the ball on the mound, I'm doing my PPM, then I get my wide stance (still standing straight). I try to go HOK as F1 engages. If he disengages, I stand up. It doesn't work out that I am always HOK if he is engaged, but if I am HOK, PU can be sure F1 is engaged. 

 

I'm sure this is much more of a reminder to myself; I doubt even my regular partner looks at me much just to see if I am HOK. It has worked out to be a good training tool.

[BalkHawk]

I don't wipe the infield fly.  

 

a couple other things are different for me too.  but it sounds like you have a plan to cover what you want covered.

 

I agree with not "wiping off" a sign. The situation should dictate the change as well as the proper signal for the new situation. I always felt the wipe was unnecessary, looked odd, and was just a waste of motion.

 

Rats wipe off signs.

[Jimurray]

I'm surprised to find out that the on-the-rubber/hands-on-knees mechanic is new to some. I have used that mechanic for the entirety of my career: I thought this was standard practice.

 

When F1 has the ball on the mound, I'm doing my PPM, then I get my wide stance (still standing straight). I try to go HOK as F1 engages. If he disengages, I stand up. It doesn't work out that I am always HOK if he is engaged, but if I am HOK, PU can be sure F1 is engaged. 

 

I'm sure this is much more of a reminder to myself; I doubt even my regular partner looks at me much just to see if I am HOK. It has worked out to be a good training tool.

Jim Evans recommended this in his clinics a few years back. I think he or the PBUC now recommend HOK when F1 is on the dirt. The question for those of you that don't do this is what do you do and when? Some of the guys in my association would be in bad shape if they went HOK for every engage.

[noumpere]

i was trying to use the hands on knees as a signal in my game saturday and discovered two things...1st, my partner had no concept of putting the ball in play...second, i (maybe like jocko) found that the picthers "semi-intentionally" toe the rubber before really toeing the rubber...often the would look down, put there foot on kind of open to the plate, and then turn and settle into the set...in my mind, they werent really engaged until the 2nd part of that but i dont know if thats right

That second part is right.  I was at some clinic in the midwest a few years ago and someone described it as "getting comfortable on the rubber" is when he's really engaged despite what the literla reading of the rule says.  Otherwise almost any act of taking the rubber could technically be considered a balk depending on how they do it.  And, no, I'm not suggesting that you call it.  That should make Bam happy.

[BalkHawk]

They like to toe the rubber first, then "get comfortable," usually in the stretch. Before the stretch, I'm not holding F1 to strict ch8 regulations, but if he makes a pickoff move without stepping in the correct direction the balk hawk shan't be fooled.