HBP mechanics

[ricka56]

HBP can be divided into 2 types. The HBP that every can see and the HBP that only B, F2, and PU can see/hear. On the 1st type, the basic B getting drilled, I have "Time" followed by PU getting out in front of the plate in a HS game. My question is about the mechanics for the not easily seen HBP.

 

What are your verbal/non-verbal mechanics for the not easily seen HBP.

[JaxRolo]

Same mechanics for me. Unless I am the one that couldn't see it. Then I just wait for a moment to see what the batters reaction is then proceed accordingly.

[wvumpire1807]

If its something that's not obvious here is what I do.  Lets say the batter gets knicked on the elbow or belly.  I will call time and take my left or right hand and hit the part of the body that got it and then point down to first.

[BigUmpire]

If its something that's not obvious here is what I do.  Lets say the batter gets knicked on the elbow or belly.  I will call time and take my left or right hand and hit the part of the body that got it and then point down to first.

You point to first?

[FlaUmp22]

Obvious HBPs I'll just call time, come out in front of the plate, point to first with right hand and give F1 a new ball

If it's close or if someone could have doubt if it hit him or not I'll call time, come out in front of the plate, point in the area it got him saying something like "got him right here" and point to first. Then give F1 a new baseball.

[zm1283]

 

If its something that's not obvious here is what I do.  Lets say the batter gets knicked on the elbow or belly.  I will call time and take my left or right hand and hit the part of the body that got it and then point down to first.

You point to first?

 

 

On a HBP? Why not?

[BigUmpire]

I have always been told NEVER point to first.

Reason is the field umpire may believe you are asking about a check swing.

In this case it may not matter BUT that’s what I have been instructed to do.

[ALStripes17]

I go over a pregame with my partner that says:

If I come in front of the plate and point to first with my LEFT hand, then it's HBP (always a "Time" call)

If I stay behind the plate and point with my LEFT hand, then it's help on a check swing (possibly a "Time" call if it hits an offensive player)

Try not to action with the right hand unless you are getting an out or a strike.

[Mike Prince]

I have always been told NEVER point to first.

 

 

Reason is the field umpire may believe you are asking about a check swing.

 

 

In this case it may not matter BUT that’s what I have been instructed to do.

 

Call time before you point, then there is no question as to what you are pointing at, especially if following the mechanics described here.  If you call time and come out from behind the plate the BU would have to be a bit daft to confuse that with a check swing appeal.

 

IMO makes perfect sense for this situation.

 

To stay relevant to the question asked, I follow pretty much the same process the other guys here do.

[BigUmpire]

 

I have always been told NEVER point to first.

 

 

Reason is the field umpire may believe you are asking about a check swing.

 

 

In this case it may not matter BUT that’s what I have been instructed to do.

 

Call time before you point, then there is no question as to what you are pointing at, especially if following the mechanics described here.  If you call time and come out from behind the plate the BU would have to be a bit daft to confuse that with a check swing appeal.

 

IMO makes perfect sense for this situation.

 

I call with Daft all of the time. I AM in Georgia.

[noumpere]

On the "close ones" I point -- because not everyone knows that theres an award until I do.  It's just part of the "explanation" that the "pitch got him right here, so he's going to first"

 

On the obvious ones I don't point -- the batter is already going there and everyone knows it.

[wvumpire1807]

I point to first mostly because of the HBP that can happen near the hand, they may think that I have called foul, so I point to first to let everyone know I have a HBP.  My partners know I am not asking on a check swing because if I was asking I wouldn't have called time first.

[BigUmpire]

What are the mechanics they teach at the clinics and TUS now?

[grayhawk]

I don't point. When I come out behind the plate after calling time, and saying "got him" while pointing to the place on my body that corresponds to where he was hit, everyone in the park knows where the BR should be headed. Never had anyone ask why BR is going to first.

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[BigUmpire]

I don't point. When I come out behind the plate after calling time, and saying "got him" while pointing to the place on my body that corresponds to where he was hit, everyone in the park knows where the BR should be headed. Never had anyone ask why BR is going to first.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Same for me BUT real loud.

[Ump29]

I point with my right hand on a HBP and my left on a swing appeal. (Calling time first on he HBP )

[ricka56]

Thanks...I got dinged on my point to 1B on the non-obvious HBP...maybe I was selling the HBP too much.  

 

Looks like a 50/50 split on point/don't point non-verbal mechanic.

[grayhawk]

Well, my guess is that pro school is teaching to point since @FlaUmp22 described the mechanic he uses, and he just got back from PBUC.

 

I'll do it if my association indicates that I should.  Until then, I'll stick with not pointing.

[maven]

I don't think pointing is a huge issue. It's all about communication: if you communicate the HBP without pointing, everyone knows where the batter will go.

 

Pointing can help communicate the HBP call, but it is not necessary.

[Mike Prince]

I have a middle school game tomorrow and have the dish.  Should be at least a couple of HBP's in this one - I am going to resist the urge to point as an experiment.  Its common for us to get comfortable with certain mannerisms and mechanics over time (regardless of whether or not they are "correct").

[umpstu]

 

If its something that's not obvious here is what I do.  Lets say the batter gets knicked on the elbow or belly.  I will call time and take my left or right hand and hit the part of the body that got it and then point down to first.

You point to first?

 

I sell the he** out of the nicks. Come out patting the area the batter got hit in and I point to first base with the left hand. Just never point with the right hand, could be misconstrued for a strike. Same with a check swing appeal, ask with the left hand.

[ALStripes17]

I have always been told NEVER point to first. Reason is the field umpire may believe you are asking about a check swing. In this case it may not matter BUT that’s what I have been instructed to do.

Call time before you point, then there is no question as to what you are pointing at, especially if following the mechanics described here. If you call time and come out from behind the plate the BU would have to be a bit daft to confuse that with a check swing appeal. IMO makes perfect sense for this situation. To stay relevant to the question asked, I follow pretty much the same process the other guys here do.

So what happens if you have a batter get hit by a pitch AND check swings? Calling 'Time' does not signify an awarded base. In this situation, 'time' indicates that the batter was hit by a pitch. You still have the action (or nonaction) of the batter on the pitch (I.e. check swing, intentionally HBP, pitch in strike zone) Edit: further thought added

[grayhawk]

 

 

I have always been told NEVER point to first.

Reason is the field umpire may believe you are asking about a check swing.

In this case it may not matter BUT that’s what I have been instructed to do.

Call time before you point, then there is no question as to what you are pointing at, especially if following the mechanics described here. If you call time and come out from behind the plate the BU would have to be a bit daft to confuse that with a check swing appeal.

IMO makes perfect sense for this situation.

To stay relevant to the question asked, I follow pretty much the same process the other guys here do.

 

So what happens if you have a batter get hit by a pitch AND check swings?

Calling 'Time' does not signify an awarded base. In this situation, 'time' indicates that the batter was hit by a pitch. You still have the action (or nonaction) of the batter on the pitch (I.e. check swing, intentionally HBP, pitch in strike zone)

Edit: further thought added

 

 

Seems pretty simple.  When the batter is hit with the pitch, immediately call time.  If there was a half swing, then go to your partner with your left hand, "Jim, did he go?"  If your partner says yes, then tell the batter to "stay here" and announce, "Then that's a strike.  The count is now 1-2."  If your partner says no, then you could point the batter to take his award. or you could not point and just tell him to go to first.

[Mike Prince]

 

 

I have always been told NEVER point to first.

Reason is the field umpire may believe you are asking about a check swing.

In this case it may not matter BUT that’s what I have been instructed to do.

Call time before you point, then there is no question as to what you are pointing at, especially if following the mechanics described here. If you call time and come out from behind the plate the BU would have to be a bit daft to confuse that with a check swing appeal.

IMO makes perfect sense for this situation.

To stay relevant to the question asked, I follow pretty much the same process the other guys here do.

 

So what happens if you have a batter get hit by a pitch AND check swings?

Calling 'Time' does not signify an awarded base. In this situation, 'time' indicates that the batter was hit by a pitch. You still have the action (or nonaction) of the batter on the pitch (I.e. check swing, intentionally HBP, pitch in strike zone)

Edit: further thought added

 

 

You seem to be conveniently forgetting that there is also a verbal element to the mechanic for going to your partner on a check swing, not just a physical one.

 

Either way you are calling time on the pitch, it is either a HBP or a dead-ball strike.

 

Edit - Steve beat me to it.  I am old and I type slow

[ALStripes17]

I have always been told NEVER point to first.

Reason is the field umpire may believe you are asking about a check swing.

In this case it may not matter BUT that’s what I have been instructed to do.

Call time before you point, then there is no question as to what you are pointing at, especially if following the mechanics described here. If you call time and come out from behind the plate the BU would have to be a bit daft to confuse that with a check swing appeal.

IMO makes perfect sense for this situation.

To stay relevant to the question asked, I follow pretty much the same process the other guys here do.

So what happens if you have a batter get hit by a pitch AND check swings?

Calling 'Time' does not signify an awarded base. In this situation, 'time' indicates that the batter was hit by a pitch. You still have the action (or nonaction) of the batter on the pitch (I.e. check swing, intentionally HBP, pitch in strike zone)

Edit: further thought added

You seem to be conveniently forgetting that there is also a verbal element to the mechanic for going to your partner on a check swing, not just a physical one.

Either way you are calling time on the pitch, it is either a HBP or a dead-ball strike.

Edit - Steve beat me to it. I am old and I type slow

You are correct in the verbal mechanic. These verbal mechanics are not mentioned directly by other umpires. I offer my advice as a way that has worked for me and many others around me without confusion.

Also, the pitch could be a HBP, a dead-ball 'strike', or a dead-ball 'ball'