Strike Call

[TommyUmp]

Hi All,

I have a quick question about calling strikes. I was informed today that my strike call should be a simultaneous vocal and physical call. I typically verbally call the strike, then come up and make the physical call. It really brought about a lot of criticism from the lead umpire in our pre season scrimmage, but when I performed in front of my assignor, he didn't mention it as a negative, in fact he said it looked crisp and smooth. What do you all think? Is it really that big of a deal?

[spiritump]

Hi All,

I have a quick question about calling strikes. I was informed today that my strike call should be a simultaneous vocal and physical call. I typically verbally call the strike, then come up and make the physical call. It really brought about a lot of criticism from the lead umpire in our pre season scrimmage, but when I performed in front of my assignor, he didn't mention it as a negative, in fact he said it looked crisp and smooth. What do you all think? Is it really that big of a deal?

if you like to call the strike verbally first why not just keep your strike call longer as you stand and do the physical call----if there is a choice together is better--sounds stronger --in my humbile opinion

[JaxRolo]

Nothing wrong in the way you are doing it.

[Umpire in Chief]

It is a matter of opinion.

With that said, I believe having them in unison looks and sounds better. I was working on helping some umpires try this at a clinic earlier this year. Some have made the change some have opted for their traditional way.

[kcfan102]

Jim Evans Academy mechanic was to do both at the same time...

but then again, we also counted balls and strikes.

I don't see anything wrong with what you are doing. If you are getting dinged on an evaluation because of it, you might want to think about taking that advice.

[TommyUmp]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. It's funny that you mention the Jim Evans Academy kcfan because that is who the lead umpire referenced. I'll give changing it around a shot since I have 2 more scrimmage games before the start of the season.

There was another thing I was dinged on during my latest scrimmage and that was body language. I was in the field in between innings (about 15-20 feet off the infield dirt in right field) and I had my arms folded to keep myself warm. The lead umpire said that was very bad body language and I appeared unapproachable or reluctant to be there. Any strategies for keeping warm without this so called bad body language?

If you haven't figured out I was nitpicked all game by this guy...

[Dragon29]

Back to the strike call . . .

Tommy,

While I've seen guys call strikes the way you do (in fact, there are MLB guys who do it all the time . . . but as is so often pointed out here, we are not MLB guys!) I think the reason for the encouragement to perform those actions together is all about timing.

This isn't specific to you (having never seen you work) but generally, if you're calling the strike before you come up, you may be calling it too soon. I'm not talking about using the change in position to create artificial timing; I'm talking about taking your time in the first place. Again - haven't seen you work, so this is not a comment about you.

Just my $.02

[Thunderheads]

Hi All,

I have a quick question about calling strikes. I was informed today that my strike call should be a simultaneous vocal and physical call. I typically verbally call the strike, then come up and make the physical call. It really brought about a lot of criticism from the lead umpire in our pre season scrimmage, but when I performed in front of my assignor, he didn't mention it as a negative, in fact he said it looked crisp and smooth. What do you all think? Is it really that big of a deal?

Hi Tommy, ...welcome aboard!!

The one thing I read, that no one has brought up is what is in bold up top....

It's always taught to stand tall and make the call. So, in reading this, I see you call the strike will still "low". Am I correct, or am I reading too much into it? ;)

[1dumbquestion]

Tommy, if the evaluator was picking nits you should see that as a compliment as he didn't have other more important things to talk about. Your stike sounds kind of softballish, I'm seeing it like a robotic upper level softball strike... could that be the case? As far as the arm crossing I'll bet you've never seen a blackjack dealer with his arms crossed, they are tought that it is an unapprochable stance. But on a ballfield??? If you're cold cross your arms to your hearts desire. 1

[Mike Prince]

FWIW, it is a pet peeve of our evaluator to have your arms crossed and we are told in our association clinics to never do it. If you're that cold wear more layers or gloves...

[JaxRolo]

Incredulously I have had partners that cross their arms when they or in B or C positions.

So if you are only doing it between innings to keep warm then I am good with it!

[sdix00]

Hi All,

I have a quick question about calling strikes. I was informed today that my strike call should be a simultaneous vocal and physical call. I typically verbally call the strike, then come up and make the physical call. It really brought about a lot of criticism from the lead umpire in our pre season scrimmage, but when I performed in front of my assignor, he didn't mention it as a negative, in fact he said it looked crisp and smooth. What do you all think? Is it really that big of a deal?

I am glad to see there is one other person out there who does this. No one else I know likes it. I do, and here is why:

I like to use the exact same rhythm whether ball or strikes.

I feel that waiting to call the strike creates an artificial drama. Why make the battery, coaches and scorekeeper wait? Just give em the call when I have it.

After I call it, I rise and give a good hammer for the outfielders and the folks at home.

Doing it this way seems to speed the game up a tad. The catcher seems to return the ball faster and move on the next pitch instead of waiting an extra beat for the good news.

Even if the crowd can't hear it, they know its a strike before I give the hammer due to the body language of my bark and the pop in the catcher's throw.

It just feels right to give out the info when I have it, rather than making them wait.

I first saw this rhythm at a D1 Softball game. As a spectator, I could tell the players and the crowd appreciated this umpire.

I later learned that this was pretty much standard for Softball. I didn't let that influence my decision, and adopted the routine anyway.

When I trained my sons, I found that this routine reinforced their timing. It also kept them in the crouch and kept them from looking away from the action.

I have things I have been told to improve, but timing is never one of them. In fact, I have gotten compliments on my and my sons' timing.

It works well for me.

[Dragon29]

Whatever works for you is, of course, what you should do, but I do have a couple of comments for newer guys who may be following this and wondering . . .

I like to use the exact same rhythm whether ball or strikes.

Me too; if someone is doing it the way the OP has suggested simply to 'use the exact same timing', then IMHO they're calling 'Ball' too quickly.

I feel that waiting to call the strike creates an artificial drama.

No, the drama is real.

Why make the battery, coaches and scorekeeper wait?

No-one's waiting for anything; it ain't nuthin' till you call it, so there's nuthin' to wait for.

After I call it, I rise and give a good hammer for the outfielders and the folks at home.

Outfielders, I'll buy - but the folks back home? (I know you mean the stands) Screw 'em! Not my responsibility.

[mstaylor]

It's the big when to call strikes debate. Years ago I was taught to call your strikes down and then show it, I hated it tremendously. Now, any pro clinic will teach you to call balls down, strikes up and show at the same time. The timing of your ball and strike call should still be the same. The logic is it trains the participants that if you say something while down, it is a ball. If you come up it will be a strike. Softball does teach to call strikes down then show it, don't know why.

As to the crossed arms, I have been taught that it looks bad. If you are in the outfield keeping warm, I don't see it as a big deal. If you are in a calling position or in the outfield after there has been something going on then yes, it is bad. I got dinged by my partner once for doing it in C during the game. He said I looked mad, I told him I was.

[yawetag]

As far as the arm crossing I'll bet you've never seen a blackjack dealer with his arms crossed, they are tought that it is an unapprochable stance.

That's not the only reason, but I don't want to get into semantics. If you're cold, do as bikerider said and wear more layers.

[1dumbquestion]

As far as the arm crossing I'll bet you've never seen a blackjack dealer with his arms crossed, they are tought that it is an unapprochable stance.

That's not the only reason, but I don't want to get into semantics. If you're cold, do as bikerider said and wear more layers.

visible hands are honest hands.

[yawetag]

visible hands are honest hands.

Are you a dealer?

[1dumbquestion]

visible hands are honest hands.

Are you a dealer?

nope, but I'm guessing that's what you were getting at. 1