How do you call your strike?

[ricka56]

The hammer looks cool, but I still stick with pointing.

 

Probably an old/sore subject, but since the topic was brought up...

The hammer strike can be mistaken for the out mechanic.

[zm1283]

 

I prefer the point, but if I'm working 1 man, I'll hammer so as not to turn my head away from the field.

Why would you turn your head when you point?

 

 

Because it works fine if your timing is good.

[Mr Umpire]

I don't.  I let the fans and coaches call them for me.  They know my zone better than me.

[PonyUmpire]

Not saying it's right or wrong, I just think turning my head with the point looks crisper.  My timing is very slow, so I have yet to miss anything because of it.

[Pete Peterson Sr]

I tried the hammer for one season, but it seemed to screw with my timing, so I returned to the point. Been a loyal pointer ever since....

[JaxRolo]

I prefer the point, but if I'm working 1 man, I'll hammer so as not to turn my head away from the field.

Why would you turn your head when you point? Because it works fine if your timing is good. Not really

[basejester]

The hammer looks cool, but I still stick with pointing.

 

Probably an old/sore subject, but since the topic was brought up...

The hammer strike can be mistaken for the out mechanic.

I think that's a real problem with the hammer. But in this example, the catcher didn't react to the hammer; he reacted to his perception of the catch.

[ricka56]

Not saying it's right or wrong, I just think turning my head with the point looks crisper.  My timing is very slow, so I have yet to miss anything because of it.

Reminds me of a story about an umpire at a pro school who kept turning his head for strikes despite instructors' repeated admonitions. One instructor (the batter), takes a strike and as this umpire turns his head to call a pitch, the instructor hits F2 in his HSM with his bat (not so hard to injure, but loud enough so everyone hears it). Then they ask the umpire what just happened. He had no idea.

 

If an umpire continues to turn his head, he probably will miss something someday.

[zm1283]

 

I prefer the point, but if I'm working 1 man, I'll hammer so as not to turn my head away from the field.

Why would you turn your head when you point? Because it works fine if your timing is good. Not really

 

 

Do what you want.  I have no problem doing it and the people I work for are fine with it.

[JHSump]

I hammer strikes...unless it is a D3K, then I yell out "strike three, no catch" and give the safe sign.  I've never had players or coaches fail to understand the situation.

[Jocko]

Called .......hammer .......I also point on swinging

Never seen anyone look at their hammer or do it to the side. Just an observation.

[Mr Umpire]

I understand something may happen when the head is turned.  But, I have been turning my head for over 20 years now and nothing has happened.  Call it luck or just good timing.  Your choice and I have no problem with your opinion of it.  Plus, train those who are new to it as you please.  However, I do agree with new umpires not turning their head until they have learned good timing for things like that.

[Celerion]

I use the hammer.  imo, the point is for foul ball calls not strike calls but to each their own.  I just don't like mixing mechanics when avoidable.  

[Mr Umpire]

I use the hammer.  imo, the point is for foul ball calls not strike calls but to each their own.  I just don't like mixing mechanics when avoidable.  

Actually, typically "Foul" calls should just be with your hands up as with any dead ball call.  Less likely to point the wrong way and confuse everyone more if they didn't know before.  I point as a "follow through" to the call so everyone still knows it was.  But, the only time you should actually point, if you want to go with that logic, is on a fair ball.  Schools may be teaching to point even on foul balls.  But, if you only put your hands up and verbalize "Foul", they know what it is without pointing. One of the reasons for pointing fair is b/c there is no verbal command to it and they need to know what the call is if any are looking at the umpire.

[afaber12]

 

I use the hammer.  imo, the point is for foul ball calls not strike calls but to each their own.  I just don't like mixing mechanics when avoidable.  

Actually, typically "Foul" calls should just be with your hands up as with any dead ball call.  Less likely to point the wrong way and confuse everyone more if they didn't know before.  I point as a "follow through" to the call so everyone still knows it was.  But, the only time you should actually point, if you want to go with that logic, is on a fair ball.  Schools may be teaching to point even on foul balls.  But, if you only put your hands up and verbalize "Foul", they know what it is without pointing. One of the reasons for pointing fair is b/c there is no verbal command to it and they need to know what the call is if any are looking at the umpire.

 

 

The mechanics we were taught for fair/foul was obviously a point with no verbal for fair, and the hands up with a "foul" verbal for foul. However for a fly ball that's first touched over foul territory, especially if there's either the chance of the ball being dropped or some reason that secure possession is in doubt, point it foul with no verbal, and then signal the catch as normal or signal and call the foul if its dropped.

 

I've seen a couple of catches by fielders going in foul territory, who then wind up either in the dugout or the stands. Every time I've seen one and have caught an angle with the umpire in frame, they've pointed it foul, got in as quickly as possible to confirm the ball's caught, and then signalled the catch. Not that its an automatic way of doing things, but if they're consistently doing it there, it can't hurt to do it at our level.

[Scratch Franzeo]

Strikes 1 and 2 - point (called or swinging)

Swinging strike 3 (caught) - hammer for out

Called strike 3 (caught) - bow and arrow

D3K - "safe" signal

[mstaylor]

Strikes 1 and 2 - point (called or swinging)

Swinging strike 3 (caught) - hammer for out

Called strike 3 (caught) - bow and arrow

D3K - "safe" signal

Ding,ding, ding

[Mr Umpire]

 

 

I use the hammer.  imo, the point is for foul ball calls not strike calls but to each their own.  I just don't like mixing mechanics when avoidable.  

Actually, typically "Foul" calls should just be with your hands up as with any dead ball call.  Less likely to point the wrong way and confuse everyone more if they didn't know before.  I point as a "follow through" to the call so everyone still knows it was.  But, the only time you should actually point, if you want to go with that logic, is on a fair ball.  Schools may be teaching to point even on foul balls.  But, if you only put your hands up and verbalize "Foul", they know what it is without pointing. One of the reasons for pointing fair is b/c there is no verbal command to it and they need to know what the call is if any are looking at the umpire.

 

 

The mechanics we were taught for fair/foul was obviously a point with no verbal for fair, and the hands up with a "foul" verbal for foul. However for a fly ball that's first touched over foul territory, especially if there's either the chance of the ball being dropped or some reason that secure possession is in doubt, point it foul with no verbal, and then signal the catch as normal or signal and call the foul if its dropped.

 

I've seen a couple of catches by fielders going in foul territory, who then wind up either in the dugout or the stands. Every time I've seen one and have caught an angle with the umpire in frame, they've pointed it foul, got in as quickly as possible to confirm the ball's caught, and then signalled the catch. Not that its an automatic way of doing things, but if they're consistently doing it there, it can't hurt to do it at our level.

 

That makes sense as the ball is not "dead" until it touches the ground.

[stl_ump]

My question for the hammer strike guys... how do you differentiate a hammer strike and a hammer out?

 

If you've got a hammer non swinging 3rd strike that may be in the dirt how will they know if you are signaling an out or a strike?

[jmpnjmy]

My question for the hammer strike guys... how do you differentiate a hammer strike and a hammer out?

 

If you've got a hammer non swinging 3rd strike that may be in the dirt how will they know if you are signaling an out or a strike?

After I signal and verbalize the strike, (but not strike three) I go straight to the safe signal with a verbal "No catch"

[stl_ump]

 

My question for the hammer strike guys... how do you differentiate a hammer strike and a hammer out?

 

If you've got a hammer non swinging 3rd strike that may be in the dirt how will they know if you are signaling an out or a strike?

After I signal and verbalize the strike, (but not strike three) I go straight to the safe signal with a verbal "No catch"

 

I would think that might be a bit difficult if you are unsure if it's caught or not.  Those low ones right at the catchers feet?

[Thunderheads]

 

Called .......hammer .......I also point on swinging

Never seen anyone look at their hammer or do it to the side. Just an observation.

 

Yes you have ............

 

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/home-plate-umpire-brian-knight-calls-a-strike-during-the-news-photo/149575627

 

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/home-plate-umpire-ed-hickox-calls-strike-three-on-xavier-news-photo/144184304

 

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/home-plate-umpire-doug-eddings-calls-a-strike-during-a-news-photo/91022107

[Thunderheads]

My question for the hammer strike guys... how do you differentiate a hammer strike and a hammer out?

 

If you've got a hammer non swinging 3rd strike that may be in the dirt how will they know if you are signaling an out or a strike?

.....then I doubt it was a strike to begin with?

[tldavis19]

 

Called .......hammer .......I also point on swinging

Never seen anyone look at their hammer or do it to the side. Just an observation.

 

Mine is kind of forward and to the side. More to the side than forward honestly. Swinging third strikes, I do it all the way to the side. I dunno why I do it that way, just always have. I keep my head forward and on the field. I do called strikes this way because scoreboard operators around here are apparently deaf and blind because I used to yell strike pretty loud and signal to the front and on the next pitch I would notice a ball was put up instead of a strike. To remedy confusion, I moved my fist over to the side so the scoreboard guy could see it. I got sick of hearing "how is that 3 strikes?? the board only shows one!" Haven't had a problem since.

[stl_ump]

 

My question for the hammer strike guys... how do you differentiate a hammer strike and a hammer out?

 

If you've got a hammer non swinging 3rd strike that may be in the dirt how will they know if you are signaling an out or a strike?

.....then I doubt it was a strike to begin with?

 

 

Excellent point!!

How about if they are swinging and you can't tell if it was caught or not?