Storm13

I use a Zebra F-301 Steel (red color) 1.0 mm tip

Thanks...I will try to find something around the house to do that. just didn't think this would be a problem with the nicer wallet.

I am new to having to keep up with the lineup cards for both teams and got one of the wallets for the cards. My problem is that my pen goes through the paper as i write and i need to figure out a quicker way to document. Any suggestions?

Prime example happen yesterday as to why I used an indicator on the bases...1st inning yesterday I was the BU in a 2 man crew and my partner thought there were 2 outs when there was only 1. I signaled in the infield fly to him and he indicated back 2 outs. I didn't have my indicator or anything to track the outs so i was only about 95% sure. next batter grounds out and we look like fools because we didn't have the outs right in the 1st inning.

You are right...I did two games this weekend after posting this and didn't use the indicator in the field. After about an inning or two, I got comfortable without it. Keeping up with the outs was easier than I thought it would be...I still need to work more on the count in the field without the indicator but I think it is coming along.

I would never flash the count as a BU unless the PU gave me a signal for a count. I went through the scrimmage today without it and did OK...just a different experience.

We had 3 guys working and 2 senior umpires assisting/evaluating us. We planned to all rotate the plate and bases...We were going to do 2 innings each behind the plate but the scrimmage got cut short due to weather before I went to the plate. I did 3 innings in the field.

I personally like having the indicator but when a senior ump in the association says to ditch it I feel like I have to do what i am told and get rid of it in the field.

after the first half inning I didn't use it last night and got lost twice...I am going to see about tomorrow but think I need to do it slowly since I have been doing the indicator in the field for over 20 years (on and off umpiring). May keep one in my pocket and see if I can go without and then use it if I have to.

Sorry to come off like that...just a little shocked that anyone would not have an indicator to track the game. I usually just glance at my indicator while changing positions (A to B on a walk, B to C after a steal, and so forth.) I understand the thought of not having a distraction but I personally believe the pros out weight the cons of having it. I am thinking about just taking some small marbles and putting two in my pocket. Both in the left= no outs 1 in each pocket= 1 out and 2 in the right pocket= 2 outs. Just thought about it and may try it tomorrow at my next scrimmage.

Ok...thanks for being productive...i can count to 3 as well but sometimes remembering what happen 30 min. ago is a little harder. I would hate to be the one that looks like a fool thinking it is 3 outs when there are only 2 and missing a play. Just asking for advice on how others do it. And i have had too may partners that have "lost" the count and had then check with me to not try to remember/keep that too. Maybe your working games with great umps but i have worked mostly games with volunteers and low level guys/gals. Just me. Have a great day.

Ok...so if you don't use an indicator what do you do for the count and the outs?

Sorry if this has been discussed before...I did't see it. Thanks for the reply and have a great day

I did my first HS scrimmage last night and had the bases the majority of the game...it was a learning experience...lol. I have never had formal training or even been evaluated by anyone in the past so I learned a few things I will use in the future. But getting to my question...I was on the bases and have always used (and been told to use) an indicator on the bases and on the plate. I was told by a senior ump that I trust to "Get rid of that darn indicator". What are your thoughts?

i was kind of thinking about doing the same thing...they are nice bags but just can't use them for the HS games and already have bags for other games.

I am sorry if this was a crazy question...I am starting with a new association and we do the light blue shirts and charcoal pants. I have always either used navy or black bags but when I orders some new bags a couple weeks ago I got grey instead of black. Just trying to decide if I will use them or try to send them back. Thanks

I am curious...does anyone use grey ball bags and if so what uniform combo or situation?

This was covered in the 2016 VHSL/NFHS baseball presentation. A team can only play 2 scrimmages or 2 benefit games (in liue of scrimmage) and 20 Reg. Season games and no student may play at the varsity and sub-varsity level on the same day. also in the VHSL Handbook and Policy manual it states: 27-11-1 CONTEST LIMITATION RULE-No member school may permit its athletes or teams to compete in more than the total number of regular season interscholastic contests, meets or tournaments specified in 54-8-1 of this Handbook for each sport either on the varsity or subvarsity level. No athlete may participate on two levels (e.g. middle school, junior high, junior varsity, varsity) in any sport on the same day. A student participating in two levels of competition on the same day is ineligible in the second competition and appropriate penalties will be assessed. Students in the eighth grade may participate in competition of less than varsity level.

yes...2 man mechanics and PU rotating to 3rd base

I am in need of some 42 or 44 waist charcoal grey pants to use in the field. Went through my uniform tonight and have all plate pants now...lol. If you can help let me know. too long is best so I can alter them.

I am going back over stuff for this season and want to make sure I am not missing anything. I can only think of 3 rotation situations... 1) Runner on first only 2) Runners on first and third 3) Runners on first and second (less than 2 outs) Am I missing any? also am I right in saying this only comes in to effect with a ball that is hit into the outfield? This is one of the areas I need to get better at is the rotations.

My thought on this is if the coach asks for time and takes more than a few seconds to do whatever he/she is going to do (go to the mound, talk to fielders, etc.) other than tend to a sick or injured player then I am charging the conference...and as Mavin said in the mentioned situation i am just informing the coach that it is already a charge conference so he/she may want to use it.

That is a great suggestion...i will do that. I have a few Smitty and a few Honig. I have both colors because the LL I work with wants Heather and the HS league wants Charcoal. Wish I could just have one color and be done with it.

Thanks...i was planning to mark them with a C for Charcoal and H for Heather and then a P for plate and B for base. so i can keep them straight...just need to figure out how to tell which ones are each to mark them. so I will have CP, CB, HP, and HB pants marked when I get done.

I know this is a crazy question but I just moved and in the move all my umpiring pants got mixed up. I had tried to keep the Heather and Charcoal separate and the Plate and base separate. Is there a trick to telling what pants are what? I plan to get them separated back out and put a label in each as to the color and style but I tend to look at them and they all seem the same cut to me...and the heather and charcoal don't seem much different either in my opinion so I just don't want look like a moron at the first scrimmages of the season coming up.