Swinging Strike Mechanic

[goody14]

I use the hammer mechanic for a called strike.  I am worried if I use the same mechanic for a swinging strike people will think I am calling the batter out.

 

Am I over thinking this or is it better to use a slightly different mechanic on a swinging strike than a called strike?

 

 

[Thunderheads]

I use the hammer mechanic for a called strike.  I am worried if I use the same mechanic for a swinging strike people will think I am calling the batter out.

 

Am I over thinking this or is it better to use a slightly different mechanic on a swinging strike than a called strike?

yes, ...I think consistency is what will be the most important here .....

[Mike Prince]

So they won't think you're calling him out on a called strike?? Just have a called strike three mechanic and focus on something else to worry about...

Edit to add:  On a swinging strike 1 or 2 I will still hammer but will follow with a point to the side showing the number of strikes.

[JaxRolo]

Hammer away! Be consistent. I see no issue with a hammer on swing strike.

[Stan W.]

Not an accepted/universal mechanic by any means, on swinging strikes, I habitually give a small point with the left hand towards the batter and then hammer the strike....

[Dash Riprock]

Your concern is valid when the 3rd strike is not caught and the batter is entitled to run.  You don't want to be misconstrued as having banged the batter out when he has become a runner.

 

One possible fix is to substitute a "no catch" mechanic for the hammered strike when the swing is obvious.  If you are ringing up a half-swing, a "Yes he did!" followed by the "no catch" would work well.

[umpire23]

Didn't this happen in a World Series game?? It was because of the hammer strike confusion that the new mechanic came into being.

The proper mechanic on a swinging dropped third strike is point out to the side while saying, "strike 3" and then signaling a safe mechanic while saying, "no catch". This lessens any confusion on anyone's part: the runner, the catcher, and any dumb rat.

Use the hammer on strike 1,2, and swing caught strike 3.

[maven]

You're not talking about the notorious Doug Eddings, are you?

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v20254775

 

[No more video embedding?]

[ricka56]

You're not talking about the notorious Doug Eddings, are you?

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v20254775

 

[No more video embedding?]

Funny...Video replay review only would have made that play more notorious.

I still don't know if Eddings got that call right or not.

[umpire23]

I was referring to Eddings although I didn't realize it was him. Thanks for the find!! Visualization is always very important in explanation.

[VolUmp]

And it was actually the ALCS.

Eddings tried to have it both ways.

Very unclassy in how he handled himself afterwards.

Couldn't admit he made a mistake ... tried to soften it by saying he would consider changing his mechanic.

 

Doug ... you banged him out ... NO ONE SIGNALS STRIKE TWICE ... NO ONE ... it's irrelevant that no one can know for certain whether the ball was caught.