Signal

Question
What is the hand signal for "strike"?

Answer
Cynthia -

Thanks for the question.  Well, I would like to say there is a simple, 2-line answer for this.  But unfortunately these days, there isnt.  SO I will go over a few of the basics, and I think you will get what you are looking for. Plus, you might be able to dazzle your friends with a bit of baseball history trivia knowledge after this as well.

SO to understand and really make sure you can recognize a strike all when it happens, it is important to know a little bit of game history.  Umpires are taught to make hand signals for alot of different things.  The reasons have become lost in time, but it really is simple to undertsand once told.  Baseball is a slow game, that relies on each player, coach, and spectator knowing exactly what the situation is at all times.  1 strike, 2?? How many outs?  It is all very important.  But a lot of the time, you cant hear the umpire!  What about in center field?  Or even worse, as a spectator in the right field bleachers?  Also, the scorekeepers, before the days of loud speakers and telephones, had to have a way of knowing the calls as well, to be able to change the score board accordingly.  So hand signals were developed.

Now, for a strike, the most widespread signal is to point your hand and finger towards one of the sides of the field.. Usually the right-side dugout (on the right-field line). It will look like the ump is pointing at someone in the right field dug out.  But he is calling "strike".  But these days umpires vary that signal, and it has become a matter of syle.  Some still do just that move, some do a fist pump like an out call, and some "punch" forward or backwards.  It all depends on the particular umpire.  So the important thing is to watch the first batter or two in a game, and see what that umpire does for a strike hand signal.  It is really the only way to know for that game / that day.  And now knowing the general idea, you will be able to recognize it when you see it.

Like all other things, the signal for a strike has evolved and been given some "style".  But if you are asking as a future umpire yourself, the finger point to the dugout is standard.  Cant go wrong with that.

I hope you not only got your answer, but can now win a trivia contest if that is ever asked!  Let me know if you have any other questions about this or anything else in the future.

Best Wishes

Coach Perl