Recognize a good play!

[Mike Prince]

 

 

 

I will say, "good play", "good tag" or something like that, but that doesn't affect the call. I have been told that sometimes I say, " Good pitch", as I punch out a called third strike. I deny that, as I have never heard myself say that out loud. I will admit that I think it a lot.

After a swinging 3rd strike on a nasty breaking pitch, I've been known to say something to F2 like, " that was nasty", or "nice pitch". Never ever when the batter could hear it, and never ever on a called 3rd K. 

 

As long as the batter doesn't hear you, the third strike is usually the best time to recognize a good pitch and have a little fun with the catcher. After all, you're just complimenting the pitch.

However, one of the best compliments came from a batter after he took a third strike. The pitcher had just thrown a beautiful sharp breaking ball which caught the outside corner. The batter froze, listened to my strike three call, and then turned his head to us, smiled and said, "That's just wrong!" He shook his head as he took the long walk back to the bench.

 

 

Reminds me of those easy punch-outs you get when the batter sighs and is already stepping towards the dugout before you even begin your punch-out. 

 

 

A trick I use is one I learned from sdix00.  On a good pitch give a soft "yep" that only the batter and F2 can hear before you give the punchout.  Usually the batter will turn his head around towards F2 reinforcing that he just watched strike 3 go by.

[GetItRight]

I enjoy calling runners out just because.

 

I don't really need the excuse of a great play in order to do it.