Strike 2, with 2 fingers

[Thunderheads]

Petty, I know, trust me ....but ....

 

Has anyone noticed the amount of guys who point their strike call (most) use 2 fingers when it's the second strike?

 

WHY?  I don't know why this bothers me, but why does almost every MLB and MiLB umpire do this?  So many of them do this, I have to assume it's something that's suggested during training?   Does anyone know?

 

AGAIN, ...I know it's petty, and it's not important, but I was just curious to know .....

 

example:

[kstrunk]

Funny...I saw that yesterday and gave it some thought too - perhaps making the distinction is a help to the ump in keeping the count straight? 

[Thunderheads]

Funny...I saw that yesterday and gave it some thought too - perhaps making the distinction is a help to the ump in keeping the count straight? 

Of course I thought that too, but ...... most PU's even at that level are using an indicator, so .... I'm not sure ....

[Majordave]

Petty Jeff, Petty.

 

HaHaHa!

 

I don't mind the two fingers point but I do not like it when the plate umpire calls "Two" instead of strike.   I don't say anything unless it is a rookie ump with no real clinic training.  But usually with rookie guys, regardless of age, they have a lot more problems to work on than just the number of fingers they point and what they say after calling a strike.

[Cav]

I'm much more concerned about the plate guy calling strikes while turning his head away from where problems can and sometimes do arise. 

 

Just about the time our hapless plate man gives up trying to figure out what's sticking to his fingers, he hears the crowd erupt, notices the live ball on the ground out in front of the plate and here comes R3.          

[JaxRolo]

It bothers me too! Kinda silly.

[Rich Ives]

I always thought it was done to distinguish it from a fist where a fist is and out and this isn't.

[kstrunk]

I'm much more concerned about the plate guy calling strikes while turning his head away from where problems can and sometimes do arise. 

 

Just about the time our hapless plate man gives up trying to figure out what's sticking to his fingers, he hears the crowd erupt, notices the live ball on the ground out in front of the plate and here comes R3.          

This is precisely the reason I chose the 'face forward hammer machanic' when I began umping. My mentor asked why I chose it, I told him I wanted to keep my eyes out in front of me, on the field. Guys that work solo, or even 2 man IMHO, ought not take their eyes off the field. 

[MikeSafari]

I always thought it was done to distinguish it from a fist where a fist is and out and this isn't.

 

I think @Thunderheads was more concerned with the two finger thing than the point. I don't care if other umpires do it, but I just couldn't get comfortable calling strikes off to the side.

[Thunderheads]

I'm much more concerned about the plate guy calling strikes while turning his head away from where problems can and sometimes do arise. 

 

Just about the time our hapless plate man gives up trying to figure out what's sticking to his fingers, he hears the crowd erupt, notices the live ball on the ground out in front of the plate and here comes R3.          

These are pros working in a 4 man system .... typically not an issue

I always thought it was done to distinguish it from a fist where a fist is and out and this isn't.

Rich, I'm not sure you're understanding my query

[JoHart10]

I point with two fingers on every strike...granted I had a severe broken and dislocated middle finger back in the day and that thing doesn't work right.

[Thunderheads]

I point with two fingers on every strike...granted I had a severe broken and dislocated middle finger back in the day and that thing doesn't work right.

LOL!

Two fingers together is different .... it's when strike one is one finger, ....and strike two is like the photo I pasted in the OP ....

[Rich Ives]

 

I'm much more concerned about the plate guy calling strikes while turning his head away from where problems can and sometimes do arise. 

 

Just about the time our hapless plate man gives up trying to figure out what's sticking to his fingers, he hears the crowd erupt, notices the live ball on the ground out in front of the plate and here comes R3.          

These are pros working in a 4 man system .... typically not an issue

I always thought it was done to distinguish it from a fist where a fist is and out and this isn't.

Rich, I'm not sure you're understanding my query

 

 

 

Your OP was: 

 

"Has anyone noticed the amount of guys who point their strike call (most) use 2 fingers when it's the second strike?

 

WHY?"

 

So I assumed you were asking why a point.

[Cav]

 

I'm much more concerned about the plate guy calling strikes while turning his head away from where problems can and sometimes do arise. 

 

Just about the time our hapless plate man gives up trying to figure out what's sticking to his fingers, he hears the crowd erupt, notices the live ball on the ground out in front of the plate and here comes R3.          

These are pros working in a 4 man system .... typically not an issue

 

It would be most presumptuous of me to presume that any of "them" would heed my concern.  I was addressing "us" other guys. 

 

Often enough our crewmates have a full plate (intended) just getting the calls right when they see them.  Why they want to purposely point their "camera" where the action is not likely to happen is something not taught anywhere, so they must get it from somewhere else.  Most likely that somewhere else would be watching and emulating "them" or even some of "us."

[Thunderheads]

 

 

I'm much more concerned about the plate guy calling strikes while turning his head away from where problems can and sometimes do arise. 

 

Just about the time our hapless plate man gives up trying to figure out what's sticking to his fingers, he hears the crowd erupt, notices the live ball on the ground out in front of the plate and here comes R3.          

These are pros working in a 4 man system .... typically not an issue

I always thought it was done to distinguish it from a fist where a fist is and out and this isn't.

Rich, I'm not sure you're understanding my query

 

 

 

Your OP was: 

 

"Has anyone noticed the amount of guys who point their strike call (most) use 2 fingers when it's the second strike?

 

WHY?"

 

So I assumed you were asking why a point.

 

Rich, I didn't word this right probably ...but the bold spells out my question ........

[the_umpire]

It is just a personal preference and style thing. It's perfectly acceptable either way, so it all comes down to what you want to do.

[JaxRolo]

It is just a personal preference and style thing. It's perfectly acceptable either way, so it all comes down to what you want to do.

Some evaluators don't like it. So yes it is a personal preference but it may not be good for advancement.

[bam]

Yes.

 

It's petty.  

[Richvee]

 

It is just a personal preference and style thing. It's perfectly acceptable either way, so it all comes down to what you want to do.

Some evaluators don't like it. So yes it is a personal preference but it may not be good for advancement.

 

If all the evaluator has to say after the game is he didn't like your pointing strikes instead of a hammer strike, I'd say you had a pretty good evaluation. 

[berns_97]

I do it with 2 fingers.

1st strike= pointing finger

2nd strike= pointing finger and pinkie only

I dont know why I do it. It just feels comfortable and works well for me.

[ricka56]

2nd strike= pointing finger and pinkie only

 

Hook 'em horns style ?

Texas...fight! Texas...fight!  And it's good-bye to A & M.

[Magic]

I'm much more concerned about the plate guy calling strikes while turning his head away from where problems can and sometimes do arise.

Just about the time our hapless plate man gives up trying to figure out what's sticking to his fingers, he hears the crowd erupt, notices the live ball on the ground out in front of the plate and here comes R3.

I point and look, but I try to have good timing so that if the ball is on the ground, I don't look, just point or I don't call it a strike.

Games worked 42

[kylejt]

It bothers some of us because it's been beaten into our heads, via training, to do things a certain way, and we get hammered if we don't.

[Cav]

 

I point and look, but I try to have good timing so that if the ball is on the ground, I don't look, just point or I don't call it a strike.

 

If it works for you and you're going where you want to go, don't change a thing.  I checked my fingers on strike calls for years.  I still point.  I may even stick out two fingers on the second strike, unconsciously, of course, which is how several of my partners think I work the plate.  But now I just no longer need to look away from the plate when I signal a strike.  I simply worked myself out of that mechanic.      

[KenBAZ]

I hammer called strikes and hammer, (no verbal), swinging third strikes. I point swinging strikes while looking forward with either one or two fingers. And yes, it helps me keep track of the count.