Verbalizing "No Catch" on D3K Causes Problems

[BretMan]

In the spring of 2006- the season following Doug Eddings infamous call in the 2005 ALCS- I attended a clinic where we had the good fortune of having a MLB umpire as one of the instructors. The Eddings U3K was a topic of discussion, being one of bigger umpire blow-ups to that date.

We were instructed that MLB had devised a new mechanic specifically in reaction to this play. The new mechanic to signal that a third strike was not caught was to: A) Verbalize "No catch", and; B) Extend the right arm straight out to the side while pointing (probably what's being described above as the "half safe sign") and hold it there as the play resolves itself.

The rationale for this hand signal was that it removed the ambiguity of signalling a strike with a closed fist pump, which might be construed as either a strike or an out (which was certainly the crux of the Angels argument that Eddings had already called the batter out, while Eddings claimed he was just signalling the strike).

So, nearly a decade ago that was the first attempt at coming up with a unique signal and verbalization for this play. Honestly, I have no idea if the pro schools are teaching something different nowadays, but the mechanic has seemed to evolve over the years. Our local high school unit wants us to us a safe signal along with the veral "no catch".

Edited August 14, 2015 by BretMan

[noumpere]

We were instructed that MLB had devised a new mechanic specifically in reaction to this play. The new mechanic to signal that a third strike was not caught was to: A) Verbalize "No catch", and; B) Extend the right arm straight out to the side while pointing (probably what's being described above as the "half safe sign") and hold it there as the play resolves itself.

Well, it's obvious they didn't ask jkumpire about the value of this mechanic. (insert smiley face, if you so desire)

Edited August 15, 2015 by noumpere

[ricka56]

On a normal caught swinging strike we don't verbalize, but when the K3 catch isn't obvious (near the ground) then a verbal "THAT'S A CATCH" is just as important as a "NO CATCH" when it is uncaught. The reason for verbalizing the near the dirt caught K3 is the same as the not caught K3, the two people that need to know what your call is aren't facing your non-verbal signal. No reason for F2 to risk a throw to 1B when you have a caught K3...let him know you have a catch.

[Platejob29]

On a normal caught swinging strike we don't verbalize, but when the K3 catch isn't obvious (near the ground) then a verbal "THAT'S A CATCH" is just as important as a "NO CATCH" when it is uncaught. The reason for verbalizing the near the dirt caught K3 is the same as the not caught K3, the two people that need to know what your call is aren't facing your non-verbal signal. No reason for F2 to risk a throw to 1B when you have a caught K3...let him know you have a catch.

The verbal on either one is unnecessary. All you can do is cause confusion. If you stay silent and only give physical signals you give both the catcher and runner an equal opportunity to make the play. Also considering this is a sport about everyone contributing as a team you should put the responsibility on F2 and BR's teammates to relay the information based on your physical signal to them.

[MidAmUmp]

The verbal on either one is unnecessary. All you can do is cause confusion. If you stay silent and only give physical signals you give both the catcher and runner an equal opportunity to make the play. Also considering this is a sport about everyone contributing as a team you should put the responsibility on F2 and BR's teammates to relay the information based on your physical signal to them.

Wrong. 

[maven]

Mods, I think this thread has run its course. We have a few posters defending a non-standard mechanic, with professional clinicians and others explaining repeatedly what the proper mechanic is and why. Apparently nobody's moving off their spot, which is fine. All the information is already here; future posts will either be repetitious or worse.