NOT verbalizing "safe"

[stl_ump]

This happened to me twice in one game last night and for the life of me I can't figure out why I did it.  It just happened automatically.

 

Play at first and F3 was off the bag so I signaled safe and verbalized "off the bag" (and also did the off the bag mechanic)

 

Play at 3rd on a steal and F5 attempts tag but misses and I signal safe and verbalize "missed the tag"

 

Both times I didn't SAY safe but signaled safe and at the same time "explained" why he was safe.

 

Is this bad? A complete no-no? Or no big deal.

 

Thanks

 

[Mike Prince]

No big deal IMO

[UmpJM]

Sounds OK to me.

 

JM

[Thunderheads]

concur withe both above................

 

if there's no confusion in what you're signaling,....NBD

[24sdad]

Think about it for a sec...if you have a play when it looks like the runner may be out and the fielder butchers the tag and you signal and only say "safe," it could look like you kicked it.  By signaling safe and stating "no tag, no tag" or whatever you use, you communicate two very important things.  On a play where everyone expected an out, you told them WHY there was no out.

[stl_ump]

Think about it for a sec...if you have a play when it looks like the runner may be out and the fielder butchers the tag and you signal and only say "safe," it could look like you kicked it.  By signaling safe and stating "no tag, no tag" or whatever you use, you communicate two very important things.  On a play where everyone expected an out, you told them WHY there was no out.

And that's what I was thinking after I did it.  No one has ever complained about getting "to much" info.  I just wanted to make sure that leaving out the verbalization of "safe" was O.K.

[maven]

Neglecting to verbalize is not bad, since it's sometimes correct (think: safe at 1B by a full second).

 

But verbalizing in your situations would have been better.

[KLAH316]

I only verbalize BANG-BANG plays or when something abnormal happens.... (pulled foot, missed tag, etc)

Never had an issue.

[NFUA_44]

Your OK.  The safe or out mechanic is what everyone expects to see, and your adding the info that explains what else was going on.  My safe or out on nothing plays is very low key, save the big verbal SAFE and OUT for when it's needed.

[umpstu]

Neglecting to verbalize is not bad, since it's sometimes correct (think: safe at 1B by a full second).

 

But verbalizing in your situations would have been better.

I agree with maven. I think you should do it on all safe out calls, just change the volume of your voice to reflect the closeness of the call.

[IABlue]

Most umpires tend to verbalize way too much, i.e. on every obvious call.  Verbalization should be used a lot less frequently by most umpires.  The vast majority of plays call themselves, and a good crisp signal does a lot more to convey to people involved in the game what's going on than trying to verbalize something that the vast majority of participants and spectators can't even hear anyway.

[24sdad]

Most umpires tend to verbalize way too much, i.e. on every obvious call.  Verbalization should be used a lot less frequently by most umpires.  The vast majority of plays call themselves, and a good crisp signal does a lot more to convey to people involved in the game what's going on than trying to verbalize something that the vast majority of participants and spectators can't even hear anyway.

Our IC Ken Allen, wants a verbal anytime there is a physical call, based upon the closeness of the play.  About 1 % of the membership adhere to it.  Example - picks at first.  If there is no tag attempt, I do nothing.  If it is not close but there is still a tag, I give a crisp physical safe call only.  If he is caught leaning and out by a whole bunch, a crisp "fist" with a low key verbal "out."  If it is close, then I step it up a bit.  Watch the tag, ensure F3 maintains possession of the ball, take a step toward first and then punch him out with a louder "out."  There is no such thing as a close "safe" call.  (just kidding, kinda)

[maineump]

Exactly - Low key until the 'banger'. We still have guys that make the BIG safe call on a pick-off at at base when no tag attemp was even made.

Save the big - out/safe/foul calls for when it is needed. I think it looks and sounds better and leaves you room to emphasize the big call when it occurs.

Your OK.  The safe or out mechanic is what everyone expects to see, and your adding the info that explains what else was going on.  My safe or out on nothing plays is very low key, save the big verbal SAFE and OUT for when it's needed.

[Scratch Franzeo]

I was once told, "the closer the play, the more I explain."

 

If it's a banger, verbalize and signal.