Strike Three Mechanic Question

[grk17]

I worked a summer league double header the other night with a partner that I hadn’t worked with before. After the game he gave me some pointers on my strike three mechanic. When I ring someone up, I very simply cross my arms in front of me and “start the gas powered whatever” if you will. It is very similar to what many of the younger major league umpires do. However, I keep my feet planted instead of taking a step back (something I have since noticed that many of the young major leaguers do). My partner told me that I should be taking a step back since keeping your feet planted opens up a greater possibility for umpire interference if the catcher were to throw down to second. I had never heard this before and wanted to see if anyone on here had ever heard or thought about this before.

[umpstu]

I must be different as I give a chainsaw with my feet planted and have never interfered with a catcher while doing it.

[The Man in Blue]

Just curious ...what is the history (or logic) behind the rip cord for the accepted strike three mechanic?

[grayhawk]

I take a step back.  I think it's a better look.  I have used a 2 piece mechanic with a downward hammer (verbal "hike!") and then stepping back and pulling the chainsaw (verbal "three!").  But as I get back to working plates following my injury, I have been using a one piece with a simple step back, pull the chainsaw and "three!"

[Kevin_K]

Congratulations @grk17! If your post game conversation was about strike three mechanics your partner was telling you that you had an awesome game!

[ArchAngel72]

In the only class I took one of the instructors showed us his mechanic and advised he was asked to tame it down.   he did a very big step and large "chainsaw"

 

Mine was awful this year .. I went from spastic moron  to just a turn and ripping the telephone book  Its small its tight I think it looks ok but very very minimalist.

Of course I am ringing up LL kids so they have told us not to emphasis the fact they got caught looking 

 

 

[Aging_Arbiter]

I would argue that you are being a "pitchers umpire" by doing this.  It's not the fact the batter got caught looking.  If you have a pitcher that is hitting spots, and getting the backwards K in the book, rip that phonebook, rip cord, whatever! If he's pumped up & feeling good, he'll keep throwing good.  If you squeeze a pitcher who's having a bad day, and he gets depressed or pi$$ed at you, he's not going to improve his control much.   just my .02

[LRZ]

2 hours ago, ArchAngel72 said:

from spastic moron  to just a turn and ripping the telephone book  Its small its tight

You are channeling Tom Hallion.

[Aging_Arbiter]

@ArchAngel72

[GerryB]

Steve Palermo perhaps?

[Phu Bai]

Just from an outsiders viewpoint..... I understand an umpire getting upset when a player tries to "show him up"....and I believe an  umpire really banging a called strike three falls into he same category. MHO

 

[udbrky]

Just now, Phu Bai said:

Just from an outsiders viewpoint..... I understand an umpire getting upset when a player tries to "show him up"....and I believe an  umpire really banging a called strike three falls into he same category. MHO

 

Excessive,  yes. Just keep it simple. 

[HokieUmp]

7 hours ago, Phu Bai said:

Just from an outsiders viewpoint..... I understand an umpire getting upset when a player tries to "show him up"....and I believe an  umpire really banging a called strike three falls into he same category. MHO

Counterpoint?  "They give you that stick for a reason, son"

[MadMax]

On 7/18/2019 at 4:24 PM, umpstu said:

I must be different as I give a chainsaw with my feet planted and have never interfered with a catcher while doing it.

Right, and you never almost never will. Especially if you rise up (on strikes), instead of staying down, which you should on... well... balls.

On 7/18/2019 at 3:47 PM, grk17 said:

After the game he gave me some pointers... My partner told me that I should be taking a step back since keeping your feet planted opens up a greater possibility for umpire interference if the catcher were to throw down to second.

There's a singer-songwriter I followed back in my twenties. He penned and performed a song titled, "Ruin My Life"... He'd always start every performance of it with this opening phrase – "Nothing good can come from this." Unless this guy has, or shows, the pedigree and credentials to substantiate it, I'd take any pointers someone like this offered with reservation. It reads like he's giving pointers just because he can. He's presenting them as imperatives ("should") instead of possibilities or opportunities ("could"). Granted, at least he's giving you a reason. You'll (in fact, all of us will) encounter colleagues and peers like this that will take on a trainer or evaluator role, completely unwarranted or unrequested.

On 7/18/2019 at 8:06 PM, The Man in Blue said:

what is the history (or logic) behind the rip cord for the an accepted strike three mechanic?

Fixed it for you. The Rip Cord is only one of several possibilities. One can do any of them, provided they do it well.

 

[BT_Blue]

Honestly... I've tried just about everything. All had their ups and downs. About two years ago, I started mimicking the 3k mechanic of John Tumpane. I like it because it is short, quick, and to the point (and this is coming from someone that is not normally a fan of a hammer 3k mechanic).

Was thinking of changing it this season to see what I thought of something else. Never got the chance... obviously.

Guess will see what happens... IF IT HAPPENS.

[kylejt]

Mine has gone real casual over time. I do pivot back with my right foot (on rightys), just to make sure I give the catcher a little more room. 

[Mr Ump]

The Step Back is a good idea. Take your time. No rush. He is out anyway.