umpire "mechanic(s)"

[Wilson Gray]

On 10/13/05, Benjamin Zimmer <bgzimmer at rci.rutgers.edu> wrote:
> ---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Benjamin Zimmer <bgzimmer at RCI.RUTGERS.EDU>
> Subject:      umpire "mechanic(s)"
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> From the transcript of the press conference with the umpiring crew after
> last night's controversial Game 2 of baseball's American League
> Championship Series...
>
> -----
> http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2005/news/story?id=2189724
>
> Q: Doug, the replay seemed to clearly show you called swing and then out.
> What was your interpretation?
>
> Doug Eddings: My interpretation is that's my strike 3 mechanic, when it's
> a swinging strike. If you watch, that's what I do the whole entire game.
> ...
> If you watch the replay, you do watch me -- as I'm making the mechanic,
> I'm watching Josh Paul, so I'm seeing what he's going to do.
> -----
>
> This would seem to fall under OED3's def. B6 of "mechanic" ("a device,
> method, means"). But in umpiring lingo, "mechanic" has a more specific
> sense of "a physical and/or verbal signal when making a call".
>
> -----
> http://www.americanfederationofumpires.com/ibua_clinic.html
> The instructors stressed timing, clarity, and the power of each mechanic
> to help 'sell' the call.

"... '_Self_ the call"? Say what?

-Wilson

> -----
> http://www.americanfederationofumpires.com/ibua_clinic2.html
> Many good tips for me here, including seeing the ball better and solid
> improvements in my called strike three mechanic.
> -----
> http://www.amateurumpire.com/eoua/plate_evaluation.htm
> A vocal mechanic is required on every called strike.  It should be "Strike
> One" "Strike Two!" or "Strike Three!!" with a growing emphasis.
> -----
> http://www.amateurumpire.com/mech/mech17.htm
> The problem is few umpires use a consistent mechanic for this appeal, and
> their inconsistency leads to potentially embarrassing situations on the
> diamond.
> -----
> http://www.arizonaumpiringacademy.com/training_tips/Safe_Out_Signal/Safe_Out_Signal.html
> The umpire's verbal mechanic should be at the same time the umpire is
> giving the safe signal..."SAFE!"
> -----
>
>
> --Ben Zimmer
>


--
-Wilson Gray