"Explaining" balls

[OveBerven]

In watching CWS I've noticed several PU's call a ball and then state where it was. "Ball up." Or simply say "outside" instead of "ball". Is this common practice?

[JaxRolo]

It has become somewhat of a common practice lately. It tries to prevent a coach from saying "Where was that?"

[Thunderheads]

you'll hear it in college and at the MLB level also .........  been dicussed.  you can find it in the MECHANICS section and searching "locating pitches" .... I think

[kstrunk]

The timing of this post is perfect, as it's been on my mind as well. I started doing this almost immediately, probably just a few games into my season (this is my first) and probably somewhat subconsciously, to avoid the comments and questions, but I'd love to know what instructors think about it. 

 

I guess my thought process, now in hindsight, is that if I'm balling it, I ought to know why, and be able to articulate it. If I can't, then I should strike it. 

 

Can I get some help from the experienced brothers! 

[maven]

I don't do it at all, ever. If you use it, I recommend using it sparingly, on a close pitch where it's not clear why you're calling a ball.

 

Since I prefer coaches to supervise their players rather than my calls, I don't add commentary to my calls that might invite such supervision.

[noumpere]

In watching CWS I've noticed several PU's call a ball and then state where it was. "Ball up." Or simply say "outside" instead of "ball". Is this common practice?

Apparently -- depending, of course, on your definition of "common"

[Thunderheads]

The timing of this post is perfect, as it's been on my mind as well. I started doing this almost immediately, probably just a few games into my season (this is my first) and probably somewhat subconsciously, to avoid the comments and questions, but I'd love to know what instructors think about it. 

 

I guess my thought process, now in hindsight, is that if I'm balling it, I ought to know why, and be able to articulate it. If I can't, then I should strike it. 

 

Can I get some help from the experienced brothers! 

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/56288-ball-high-ball-low-ball-inside/?hl=verbalizing#entry210429

 

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/2220-verbalizing-balls-and-strikes/?hl=verbalizing

[Thunderheads]

I don't do it at all, ever. If you use it, I recommend using it sparingly, on a close pitch where it's not clear why you're calling a ball.

 

Since I prefer coaches to supervise their players rather than my calls, I don't add commentary to my calls that might invite such supervision.

I usually agree w/ maven, but I don't necessarily here.

[Dean]

I use it for the first couple of innings - but just to the catcher - so he has and idea of how I am seeing them.  He can tell the coach in the dug out if he likes.

After about the 3rd I stop and they should have an idea

[maven]

 

I don't do it at all, ever. If you use it, I recommend using it sparingly, on a close pitch where it's not clear why you're calling a ball.

 

Since I prefer coaches to supervise their players rather than my calls, I don't add commentary to my calls that might invite such supervision.

I usually agree w/ maven, but I don't necessarily here.

 

 

You disagree that I don't use the mechanic? Jeff, you need to take my word for it!

[Thunderheads]

 

 

I don't do it at all, ever. If you use it, I recommend using it sparingly, on a close pitch where it's not clear why you're calling a ball.<br /><br />Since I prefer coaches to supervise their players rather than my calls, I don't add commentary to my calls that might invite such supervision.

<br />I usually agree w/ maven, but I don't necessarily here.<br /> <br /><br />You disagree that I don't use the mechanic? Jeff, you need to take my word for it!

Very funny sir..... But......I don't 'necessarily' agree with your point of view.....Jeff - via Tapatalk

[JaxRolo]

I don't do it at all, ever. If you use it, I recommend using it sparingly, on a close pitch where it's not clear why you're calling a ball.<br /><br />Since I prefer coaches to supervise their players rather than my calls, I don't add commentary to my calls that might invite such supervision.

<br />I usually agree w/ maven, but I don't necessarily here.<br /><br /><br />You disagree that I don't use the mechanic? Jeff, you need to take my word for it!<br /><br />Very funny sir..... But......I don't 'necessarily' agree with your point of view.....<br /><br />Jeff - via Tapatalk<br /><br />stop it with all the<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Breaks!!!

[Larry in TN]

<br /><br />Very funny sir..... But......I don't 'necessarily' agree with your point of view.....<br /><br />Jeff - via Tapatalk<br /><br />

Can you fix whatever is wrong with Tapatalk that keeps inserting all of the break tags into your messages?

[Thunderheads]

<br /><br />Very funny sir..... But......I don't 'necessarily' agree with your point of view.....<br /><br />Jeff - via Tapatalk<br /><br />

<br />Can you fix whatever is wrong with Tapatalk that keeps inserting all of the break tags into your messages?<br /><br />Sorry Warren can. I know very frustrsting<br /><br />Jeff - via Tapatalk<br /><br />

[MidAmUmp]

I call the pitch a ball, then if it's close I will turn my head towards the defensive team's dugout and say "That's inside" or "That's outside".  Obviously they can see up and down.  I simply answer the "Where's that pitch?" question before it's asked...just as I say "Safe, no tag...off the base...etc."  Knock on wood, I haven't had to issue a ball/strike warning in 4 years and pretty much all of my plates the last 2 years have been at the D-I level.

 

I don't tell the catcher, because he'll sell you out.

 

I don't wait for them to ask the catcher, because he'll tell them what you want them to hear, then sell you out once he gets to the dugout (if not before).

 

I don't want the "where's that at?" questions.  Basically because I don't like them ending a sentence with a preposition.

 

I actually had a coach tell me the other day, "I hope you don't mind if I ask you where pitches are?  I can see up and down, but if my catcher's glove doesn't move, I'm going to ask."  I said, "No you're not.  I'll tell you where I have them."  I didn't hear a word from him all night.

[grayhawk]

I call the pitch a ball, then if it's close I will turn my head towards the defensive team's dugout and say "That's inside" or "That's outside".  Obviously they can see up and down.  I simply answer the "Where's that pitch?" question before it's asked...just as I say "Safe, no tag...off the base...etc."  Knock on wood, I haven't had to issue a ball/strike warning in 4 years and pretty much all of my plates the last 2 years have been at the D-I level.

 

I don't tell the catcher, because he'll sell you out.

 

I don't wait for them to ask the catcher, because he'll tell them what you want them to hear, then sell you out once he gets to the dugout (if not before).

 

I don't want the "where's that at?" questions.  Basically because I don't like them ending a sentence with a preposition.

 

I actually had a coach tell me the other day, "I hope you don't mind if I ask you where pitches are?  I can see up and down, but if my catcher's glove doesn't move, I'm going to ask."  I said, "No you're not.  I'll tell you where I have them."  I didn't hear a word from him all night.

 

I do the same, though I admit I'm not so good at turning my head towards the defensive team's dugout.  Of course, in the game I work, they can hear me no matter which way I am facing since it's not a D1 stadium.

 

I rarely get asked where pitches are located.  I give "Ball, that's in" and "Ball, that's out" but I use it sparingly.  I will give up/down to the catcher only on close ones.  I'm not too concerned with him selling me out if it happens in the dugout.  If he does it for all to see, then we're going to have a problem with our working relationship.

[Thunderheads]

I look in or out depending on where the pitch is, not necessarily to the appropriate dugout<br /><br />Jeff - via Tapatalk<br /><br />

[Rulekeep]

I've always said "Upside", "downside", "outside", "inside" depending on the most dramatic side. So if it's way high and a little outside I'll say "upside!" But if it's belt height and in, I'll say "Inside!"

It became a habit after parroting a partner of mine in ASA but now I use it for baseball too.

[Replacematt]

I've always said "Upside", "downside", "outside", "inside" depending on the most dramatic side. So if it's way high and a little outside I'll say "upside!" But if it's belt height and in, I'll say "Inside!"

It became a habit after parroting a partner of mine in ASA but now I use it for baseball too.

 

[Rulekeep]

I've always said "Upside", "downside", "outside", "inside" depending on the most dramatic side. So if it's way high and a little outside I'll say "upside!" But if it's belt height and in, I'll say "Inside!"

It became a habit after parroting a partner of mine in ASA but now I use it for baseball too.

Matt, this is umpire-empire, not your book circle blog.

[maven]

 

 

I've always said "Upside", "downside", "outside", "inside" depending on the most dramatic side. So if it's way high and a little outside I'll say "upside!" But if it's belt height and in, I'll say "Inside!"

It became a habit after parroting a partner of mine in ASA but now I use it for baseball too.

 

Matt, this is umpire-empire, not your book circle blog.

 

Aw snap!

[ricka56]

I don't want the "where's that at?" questions.  Basically because I don't like them ending a sentence with a preposition.

 

Using Ball-In/Ball-out can thwart even the grammatically correct chirper..."Where's that at, you over-officious jerk."

[Sayhey]

You can talk to a coach in between innings.

Take your lineup card out and tell the coach that you are seeing those pitches outside or inside. Most do not know you are talking about the strike zone.

He will disagree. You have given him information that can help him make an adjustment. I never answer the question," where is that pitch".

It is not a question. It is a statement.

How about a catcher turning around on you? How do you handle it ?

[noumpere]

You can talk to a coach in between innings.

Take your lineup card out and tell the coach that you are seeing those pitches outside or inside. Most do not know you are talking about the strike zone.

 

Actually, most do know what you are talking aobut (or will assume that it's the zone).

[Ump29]

I don't do it at all, ever. If you use it, I recommend using it sparingly, on a close pitch where it's not clear why you're calling a ball.

 

Since I prefer coaches to supervise their players rather than my calls, I don't add commentary to my calls that might invite such supervision.

 

I agree with this. I do not call location and tell any umpires I mentor not to do this.