FED Mechanics

[ALStripes17]

So previous point brought up by @maven regarding FED mechanics got me thinking:

Other than the official NFHS signals in the rule book, is there an NFHS mechanics manual? And do any of you use signals that are not NFHS approved?

The way I see it, anyone that uses a point strike (I do) is not in compliance with NFHS signals.

Spectator interference is in my state association's handbook as well (right hand grabs left wrist above head).

[grayhawk]

Yes, there is an official NFHS Umpires Manual.  It comes out every two years and the current edition is 2013-14.  Pages 36-37 cover the signals.  The hammer is listed, but nobody micromanages the signals to the extent of criticizing if you point your strikes.

 

The rest of the listed signals are universally accepted (though "time play" may be different from region to region).

[maven]

[ALStripes17]

Haha thank you @maven. I know those are the ones listed in the rule book (see OP).

Was looking to see what signals other FED umpires use that are 'universal' but not in the FED manual

[Mike Prince]

There's lots of signals that PU and BU will make to each other which you will not find in a manual.  Of course they are only intended for you and your partner so there is a reason they are not in a manual.  Coverages, rotations, signaling infield fly situations, and more obscure signals like "I have info", "good call", "I need help", etc.

[grayhawk]

There's lots of signals that PU and BU will make to each other which you will not find in a manual.  Of course they are only intended for you and your partner so there is a reason they are not in a manual.  Coverages, rotations, signaling infield fly situations, and more obscure signals like "I have info", "good call", "I need help", etc.

 

This reminds me of something that I find mildly annoying.  There's no reason to have a 2 part "PU rotating to third" signal.  Some partners insist on giving the outs, and then pointing down the line.  Why not accomplish both in one movement?  Simply use your right arm to point to third base (if you are PU).  At the same time, give the outs - a fist for no outs, index finger extended for 1 out, or index + middle finger extended for 2 outs.  No need to put your arm up/out to the side to give the outs and then point to third.

[Magic]

 

There's lots of signals that PU and BU will make to each other which you will not find in a manual.  Of course they are only intended for you and your partner so there is a reason they are not in a manual.  Coverages, rotations, signaling infield fly situations, and more obscure signals like "I have info", "good call", "I need help", etc.

 

This reminds me of something that I find mildly annoying.  There's no reason to have a 2 part "PU rotating to third" signal.  Some partners insist on giving the outs, and then pointing down the line.  Why not accomplish both in one movement?  Simply use your right arm to point to third base (if you are PU).  At the same time, give the outs - a fist for no outs, index finger extended for 1 out, or index + middle finger extended for 2 outs.  No need to put your arm up/out to the side to give the outs and then point to third.

 

Because that is the way some of us were taught? I have switched over to the way you are describing it if I am rotating to 3rd from the Dish. But all other signals I always start with the number of outs still.

[Jimurray]

We survive in my neck of the woods without giving any rotation signals in two man.

[Kevin_K]

I think that communication would be something discussed in your pregame. Since there are no universal truths when it comes to signals among partners, a discussion about what you signal for rotations and coverages goes a long way in preventing two umpires arriving at the same play to make a call. Further, when the ball is in play, it is imperative to give some sort of audible call to your partner,  particularly if either you or he are not looking at each other.

 

I would worry less about the "right" signal and more about effective communication. 

[ricka56]

We survive in my neck of the woods without giving any rotation signals in two man.

 

Same here...why do I need to signal that I'll be following SOP.

[jkumpire]

Have to be careful here    but is there a FED signal for 'this is the magic run' or 'babe alert',  not that I would ever use these. I have heard them discussed...

 

To another poster or two, I understand exactly what you are saying about signals, but for some of our trust in our partners is not at the level of perfection tocompeltely do away with signals yet. I mean you see MLB crews use them on occasion in August and September, so if someone needs to or wants to use them , why not? It's about the same thing as BU carrying an indicator IMO 

[BT_Blue]

There's lots of signals that PU and BU will make to each other which you will not find in a manual.  Of course they are only intended for you and your partner so there is a reason they are not in a manual.  Coverages, rotations, signaling infield fly situations, and more obscure signals like "I have info", "good call", "I need help", etc.

 

This reminds me of something that I find mildly annoying.  There's no reason to have a 2 part "PU rotating to third" signal.  Some partners insist on giving the outs, and then pointing down the line.  Why not accomplish both in one movement?  Simply use your right arm to point to third base (if you are PU).  At the same time, give the outs - a fist for no outs, index finger extended for 1 out, or index + middle finger extended for 2 outs.  No need to put your arm up/out to the side to give the outs and then point to third.

I agree and it would be much easier. However, there are some places like Portland (and possibly Oregon as a whole), that teach the two handed mechanic you describe above.

When in Rome and such...

[catsbackr]

 

We survive in my neck of the woods without giving any rotation signals in two man.

 

Same here...why do I need to signal that I'll be following SOP.

 

I don't know, I guess for communication, maybe.

 

Our local HS group, 75-80 umpires, are all taught the same core group of basic signals. They are to be used, without question, when working HS games. Why would you not want to use them? Are you too good, too lazy, etc. to use them? Do you feel that it is beneath you to use signals? I will never understand why any umpire would not want to have consistant communications with their partner.

[noumpere]

 

 

We survive in my neck of the woods without giving any rotation signals in two man.

 

Same here...why do I need to signal that I'll be following SOP.

 

I don't know, I guess for communication, maybe.

 

Our local HS group, 75-80 umpires, are all taught the same core group of basic signals. They are to be used, without question, when working HS games. Why would you not want to use them? Are you too good, too lazy, etc. to use them? Do you feel that it is beneath you to use signals? I will never understand why any umpire would not want to have consistant communications with their partner.

 

Let me add that they are used up at the D-1 level and even beyond (even if its a lot more subtle than some I've seen) --  but if your group is good enough in Podunk LL to get by without them ....

[grayhawk]

How would you feel if the captain of your airline flight decided that since he's flown that plane on that route a thousand times, he doesn't need to use a checklist?

[Jimurray]

We survive in my neck of the woods without giving any rotation signals in two man.

 

Same here...why do I need to signal that I'll be following SOP.

I don't know, I guess for communication, maybe.

 

Our local HS group, 75-80 umpires, are all taught the same core group of basic signals. They are to be used, without question, when working HS games. Why would you not want to use them? Are you too good, too lazy, etc. to use them? Do you feel that it is beneath you to use signals? I will never understand why any umpire would not want to have consistant communications with their partner.

We signal. But in two man we don't give rotation signals. 3 and 4 man we do signal rotations.

[catsbackr]

I'm also on a small college group, 55 umpires, from 4 or 5 different states. We work basically these same signals and rotations, I worked with someone last weekend I had never worked with before and we never missed a beat because of our signals and a thorough pre-game.

Signals work.

[BigSimonia]

Nice job - How did you do this? - Paste the pictures into the post I mean. 

[BigSimonia]

 

 

We survive in my neck of the woods without giving any rotation signals in two man.

 

Same here...why do I need to signal that I'll be following SOP.

 

I don't know, I guess for communication, maybe.

 

Our local HS group, 75-80 umpires, are all taught the same core group of basic signals. They are to be used, without question, when working HS games. Why would you not want to use them? Are you too good, too lazy, etc. to use them? Do you feel that it is beneath you to use signals? I will never understand why any umpire would not want to have consistant communications with their partner.

 

I agree with this.  I always use the rotation signals not just for my partner's benefit but to remind MYSELF what i need to be doing.  Just a "stupid check" thing

[BigSimonia]

How would you feel if the captain of your airline flight decided that since he's flown that plane on that route a thousand times, he doesn't need to use a checklist?

When I was getting my private pilot's license my flight instructor would make sure that we went through the pre-flight checklists but he would ALWAYS make me do what he called a "stupid check" - make sure you have two wings, the propeller is attached to the engine, the tires are not flat, etc. 

[Jimurray]

How would you feel if the captain of your airline flight decided that since he's flown that plane on that route a thousand times, he doesn't need to use a checklist?

When I was getting my private pilot's license my flight instructor would make sure that we went through the pre-flight checklists but he would ALWAYS make me do what he called a "stupid check" - make sure you have two wings, the propeller is attached to the engine, the tires are not flat, etc.

There are things called "immediate action items" in aviation that the pilot is required to know and do without reference to the checklist.

[ricka56]

 

 

How would you feel if the captain of your airline flight decided that since he's flown that plane on that route a thousand times, he doesn't need to use a checklist?

When I was getting my private pilot's license my flight instructor would make sure that we went through the pre-flight checklists but he would ALWAYS make me do what he called a "stupid check" - make sure you have two wings, the propeller is attached to the engine, the tires are not flat, etc.

There are things called "immediate action items" in aviation that the pilot is required to know and do without reference to the checklist.

check for fuel should be on the stupid check-list.

take off speed, rotate...sputter, sputter...oh $#!+

[grayhawk]

 

 

 

How would you feel if the captain of your airline flight decided that since he's flown that plane on that route a thousand times, he doesn't need to use a checklist?

When I was getting my private pilot's license my flight instructor would make sure that we went through the pre-flight checklists but he would ALWAYS make me do what he called a "stupid check" - make sure you have two wings, the propeller is attached to the engine, the tires are not flat, etc.

There are things called "immediate action items" in aviation that the pilot is required to know and do without reference to the checklist.

check for fuel should be on the stupid-list

 

 

That one's kind of hard to miss since you have to check for water in the fuel anyway.

[ricka56]

 

 

 

 

How would you feel if the captain of your airline flight decided that since he's flown that plane on that route a thousand times, he doesn't need to use a checklist?

When I was getting my private pilot's license my flight instructor would make sure that we went through the pre-flight checklists but he would ALWAYS make me do what he called a "stupid check" - make sure you have two wings, the propeller is attached to the engine, the tires are not flat, etc.

There are things called "immediate action items" in aviation that the pilot is required to know and do without reference to the checklist.

check for fuel should be on the stupid-list

 

That one's kind of hard to miss since you have to check for water in the fuel anyway.

That's the advanced stupid check-list. Real stupid might check the fuel drain valve without checking the level.

[noumpere]

 

 

 

 

How would you feel if the captain of your airline flight decided that since he's flown that plane on that route a thousand times, he doesn't need to use a checklist?

When I was getting my private pilot's license my flight instructor would make sure that we went through the pre-flight checklists but he would ALWAYS make me do what he called a "stupid check" - make sure you have two wings, the propeller is attached to the engine, the tires are not flat, etc.

There are things called "immediate action items" in aviation that the pilot is required to know and do without reference to the checklist.

check for fuel should be on the stupid-list

 

 

That one's kind of hard to miss since you have to check for water in the fuel anyway.

 

Yet 90% (swag) of GA accidents are caused by this stupid SH*# like water or no fuel etc.