Verbal strike call

[Rulekeep]

There's an ASA guy a lot of people make fun of, partly because he's a crappy umpire and partly because when he calls a strike, he flexes and yells "STAAAAAAAAAAAA" so loudly you can hear it two fields over.

[PonyUmpire]

@Rulekeep, we're still waiting on video of your "dying moose" strike three

[Rulekeep]

@Rulekeep, we're still waiting on video of your "dying moose" strike three

Patience is a virtue, especially when dealing with me. With time you will see the moose call.

[MadMax]

Mine carries, big time.

At Cooperstown, the following story epitomizes my "lasting impression" on the players, coaches, and fans... The game was just underway, and the first pitch was (unfortunately) a ball. The HTAC leaned out of the dugout and inquired, "Uh, Blue, was that pitch a ball or a strike, my scorekeeper couldn't hear you." I turned my head, and said with a degree of levity, "Oh, you'll hear it if it's a strike." "Really?", the catcher asked. I got into my stance, and told the catcher, "Those walls out there? They echo." Next pitch, sure enough, was a greased strike and I let 'er rip...

 

"TREEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOKKKE!!"

 

"Cool!", exclaims the catcher, "It really echoes!" "Why do you think I use it?", I reply. And the rest of the game goes on from there...

It's a small compliment when players on both sides – the team getting drubbed and the team doing the drubbing – are imitating your strike call. Fellow CDP umpires who have worked with me or watched games I've worked, they can attest to how loud and trademark the call is. I liken it to the horn when a goal is scored in hockey.

Back home during league play, I had a grandparent approach me after the game on the way to the parking lot. He didn't appear like he was going to confront me, even though it was his grandson's team that lost. He said, "Just so you know, that was one of the best called games I've heard in quite some time. Even from how far away we were sitting, your calls really carry and involve us in the game. Fine work."

[DVA7130]

HIKE!!

(Wait for it, wait for it.. Ala Neil Patrick Harris)

HE!!

[Thunderheads]

Mine's a version of "HIKE" also .......w/ a similar K3 to @Jocko.  In reference to @MadMax post above .....

 

a few weekends ago, I had the first game in a Pastime Tourney on a Saturday morning, ... 8am ....... cloudy, good chance of rain ....quiet morning until pitch one, right down the middle:

zip-crack ............ "HIIIIIIIIIIKE!"

HT coach " that's what I'm talking about!"

HT parent - "well, ...the neighborhood's awake now!" (subtle laughter)

 

[ricka56]

Mine carries, big time.

 

"TREEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOKKKE!!"

 

 I liken it to the horn when a goal is scored in hockey.

 

I hope F2 and B have empty bladders.   

[noumpere]

 

It's a small compliment when players on both sides – the team getting drubbed and the team doing the drubbing – are imitating your strike call.

Disagree.

[GPblue]

I used to his a long, large "HEEEEEIIIIKE!!!" and was a) sick of being emulated by players/fans and b) I took some time off season and worked on my strike mechanic and felt a qucik "HEUH" worked better for my timing.  I think a better question would be do you point or go with the hammer? Or, do you make a verbal call first and then signal your call second?

[MadMax]

As you can see from my avatar photo, I'm a side-shooter. The team in the first-base dugout gets an earful.

This pronounced strike call actually helps my timing, because I have to "summon it". You don't see a catcher in the photo because he's already throwing the ball back to the pitcher.

And yes, I am conscious and aware of baserunners stealing. If a baserunner takes off, I don't turn my head, and it's a much abbreviated "TREEOOKE!!" call.

[grayhawk]

I used to his a long, large "HEEEEEIIIIKE!!!" and was a) sick of being emulated by players/fans and b) I took some time off season and worked on my strike mechanic and felt a qucik "HEUH" worked better for my timing.  I think a better question would be do you point or go with the hammer? Or, do you make a verbal call first and then signal your call second?

 

If it's baseball, the verbal and mechanic should be simultaneous.  If it's softball, the verbal comes first, while you are still "down" and then the mechanic comes second.

 

I've seen way too many baseball LL umpires on TV this week using the softball method.

[JaxRolo]

I used to his a long, large "HEEEEEIIIIKE!!!" and was a) sick of being emulated by players/fans and b) I took some time off season and worked on my strike mechanic and felt a qucik "HEUH" worked better for my timing. I think a better question would be do you point or go with the hammer? Or, do you make a verbal call first and then signal your call second?

If it's baseball, the verbal and mechanic should be simultaneous. If it's softball, the verbal comes first, while you are still "down" and then the mechanic comes second.

I've seen way too many baseball LL umpires on TV this week using the softball method.

That's cause LL doesn't have enough Baseball Umpires so they have to borrow some.

[GPblue]

I have worked with a few guys that verbalize the machanic then make the call because they feel it keeps them more forward for situations.  Is that an "unwritten rule" of verbal and singal at the same time, or is it in a certain mechanic book?

[ALStripes17]

I have worked with a few guys that verbalize the machanic then make the call because they feel it keeps them more forward for situations. Is that an "unwritten rule" of verbal and singal at the same time, or is it in a certain mechanic book?

Some guys can be judgmental on certain mechanics :P

[umpcoachfather]

1..Strike

2.  2

3.  Strike 3

taught that at a young age and kept it.  The guy that taught me was a CBUA Ump and one of the evaluators, so if good enough for him it was good enough for me. 

[grayhawk]

I have worked with a few guys that verbalize the machanic then make the call because they feel it keeps them more forward for situations.  Is that an "unwritten rule" of verbal and singal at the same time, or is it in a certain mechanic book?

 

From "Maximizing" page 269:

 

12.23 The Strike Mechanic

 

From his plate stance, the plate umpire shall raise straight up and signal the strike both verbally and physically.

[FleasOf1000Camels]

Mine is "aaaEEEEK".

 

For the past 3-4 years I've considered toning it down, but just can't.

 

Pete Peterson is right...NOT something you need to be thinking about during the game.  Do what you FEEL.

[Scratch Franzeo]

Not really sure how to spell what I "say." It's loud and true. I leave no room for confusion when calling balls and strikes.

I agree with @MadMax, I think it's funny when players/fans imitate my strike call. What do I care if, in their minds, they are being disrespectful?

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

[bsutherland1018]

As others have said, as long as there is no ambiguity about what you're calling it's fine.  To enhance the differentiation between ball and strike you shouldn't move at all when you call a ball until you come out of your stance and the call should only be loud enough for the batter and the catcher to hear it, everyone else will get the idea.

[Replacematt]

That's cause LL doesn't have enough Baseball Umpires so they have to borrow some.

 

FTFY.