Selling ball calls

[SeeingEyeDog]

So, when I am on the plate and it's an obvious, "everyone-who-can-see-the-pitch-knows-it's-a-ball" ball...I will say ball very softly. Just loud enough for the batter and F2 to hear. I don't like NOT saying anything on pitches that are obvious balls because I find my timing wanders.

When I have a pitch on the edge of the zone, which is a ball...a NOT obvious ball, I elevate the volume of my voice. If my obvious ball call is a volume 4 and my whacker, game ending tag play at the plate is an 11...my non-obvious ball call volume is a 7.

I worked with a college umpire today on an 18U tournament game and his only feedback was, "Level out the volume of your ball calls. When you vary the volume, you give the appearance you are selling ball calls. If you feel the need to sell a ball call because you feel it's close...that is your subconscious telling you that's a strike."

Thoughts here, brothers?

~Dawg

[JonnyCat]

I agree with the college umpire. Keep your ball call cadence and timing the same. Also keep the timing the same as your strike calls.

The only time I will give a more casual ball call is on something that is so obvious and goes past the catcher. On some of those, especially with no runners on, and while I'm throwing a ball back to the pitcher, I may not say anything at all.

If the catcher gloves it, I strive for the same timing and cadence. I'm in the camp of don't try and sell balls calls.

Some people advocate that if you want to sell ball calls, then say the location of where the ball missed. I personally don't do that, but am not opposed if someone else does. As long as they don't make a habit of doing it on all calls. YMMV.

Mike Winters, who would help teach the new umpires at our HS association once told the students, That if a pitch makes you suck wind, it's probably a strike. I'm not sure if that's what the college ump was alluding to, but maybe those borderline pitches could be grabbed as strikes? I don't know, but maybe food for thought?

I'm glad you're willing to examine your game and listen to advice.

[noumpere]

I also agree with the college umpire.  Using the same voice (or at least not "selling" it) tells the team it was clearly a ball -- just like the one that was over in the opposite batter's box.

 

The same thing works on those whackers at first:  "Yawn!  He was clearly out by at least 1/4" "

[JSam21]

Let's put it this way... We don't change our strike call for called pitches that are closer. Why change our ball call?

[umpstu]

I don't sell ball calls. If it's in a spot where some clarification is needed I might add location, but in the same tone as my regular ball call. And I always make the ball call while still in my crouch position. Down on your balls.

[johnnyg08]

If I have to sell a ball call, I'd prefer to try and call it a strike....otherwise the cadence and projection remain the same. 

[SeeingEyeDog]

As always, thank you brothers...

~Dawg

[MidAmUmp]

I’m not opposed to having a stronger/slightly louder ball call on a close pitch. We vary voice on safe/out calls based on closeness/excitement. However, I found when I was really barking out a ball, the pitch was probably a strike.
Personally, if the pitch is close, I give the location - “Ball, that’s out” or “Ball, that’s in.” Giving the location answers the question before it gets asked and lets those involved know it was close without having to yell.