Un-Uniform Uniforms

[noumpere]

"If the ball stays in the infield, I have everything on the bases."

I use "If the BATTED ball stays in the infield,..."

[Guest]

50 years ago:

Steve: Hey, Joe, did you hear about the new, cutting-edge invention in umpiring?

Joe: No. What is it?

Steve: An indi-clicker-thingie!

Joe: What does it do?

Steve: It's awesome! It allows you to keep the number of balls, strikes, and outs on one little device... and it fits in your hand!

Joe: Interesting.

Steve: Not only that, some of them allow you to keep track of the inning!

Joe: Sounds neat, but isn't it just easier to keep track of it in your head?

Steve: Well, I guess so. But this thing is really neat!

Now, I'm not saying the hook is worth purchasing; I certainly wouldn't. However, I'm sure some other inventions in officiating were originally met with the same amount of scorn.

Ever been drilled and forget the count? That's why we have an indicator. When someone can give me a legitimate reason as to why a mask hook exists, I will stop speaking so negatively about it.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Ever been drilled and forget the count? That's why we have an indicator.

I work it out of my ball bag. I don't have it in my hand. I have one that's readable without looking at it. So, when I call a pitch, I reach in, record it, and signal the count. I look at it sometimes when I'm trotting back to the plate area after a play just to make sure it's zeroed out, but it's not even necessary to look at it then. It's necessary mainly in situations like you just described. So I carry and use one, because it's small, out of my hand and there if I need it, which is seldom.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Are you kidding, This guy is "laughing all the way to the bank". He has invented somthing that, all though is completely futile is being bought up by a percentage of umpires as cutting edge. I don't know whether to congratulate "him" or shake my head at those that have bought it! "A fool is born every minute" comes to mind.

Aw, come on!

You think this thing sells? I assure you, he's not laughing all the way to the bank. It's us who are doing all the laughing.

[Guest]

I work it out of my ball bag. I don't have it in my hand. I have one that's readable without looking at it. So, when I call a pitch, I reach in, record it, and signal the count. I look at it sometimes when I'm trotting back to the plate area after a play just to make sure it's zeroed out, but it's not even necessary to look at it then. It's necessary mainly in situations like you just described. So I carry and use one, because it's small, out of my hand and there if I need it, which is seldom.

I'm in the same boat as you, sort of - I try to work it out of my ball bag, but have a bad habit of missing the small pocket whenever I try and tuck it back in, so it ends up rolling around with the baseballs. Until I can perfect this, I just tuck it into my belt loop. It's only there in case, like I mentioned, I get my bell rung and forget the count.

[slo8140]

I work it out of my ball bag. I don't have it in my hand. I have one that's readable without looking at it. So, when I call a pitch, I reach in, record it, and signal the count. I look at it sometimes when I'm trotting back to the plate area after a play just to make sure it's zeroed out, but it's not even necessary to look at it then. It's necessary mainly in situations like you just described. So I carry and use one, because it's small, out of my hand and there if I need it, which is seldom.

What indicator do you use? I would love to know. I cannot find the old +POS blind indicator anywhere. I notch my three wheel indicator at zero, but I am not confident enough to just keep it in my bag...just wondering.

[JaxRolo]

I have one that's readable without looking at it. So, when I call a pitch, I reach in, record it, and signal the count.

Is it designed for Blind Umps?

I would think that it looks kinda odd for an umpire to be reaching in his ball bag after every pitch. Why not just hold it?

[Kevin Finnerty]

What indicator do you use? I would love to know. I cannot find the old +POS blind indicator anywhere. I notch my three wheel indicator at zero, but I am not confident enough to just keep it in my bag...just wondering.

I use the super-heavy chrome All-Star with the notched metal wheels. It is readable once you memorize what the zeroes feel like. It stays put when I run because of its weight. I LOVE this indicator:

http://www.lestersupstatesports.com/3-Ball-2-Strike-2-Out-Metal-Indicator-w-Grooved-Wheels-p-107.html

Is it designed for Blind Umps?

I would think that it looks kinda odd for an umpire to be reaching in his ball bag after every pitch. Why not just hold it?

It's in a modified accessory pocket above where the baseballs sit. It's a big enough pocket so that I can make my adjustments without taking it out and putting it back in.

And I think it looks and feels odd to have something in my hand that I don't really need. It's actually a very free feeling--especially when I call out the count, point at a checked swing or remove my mask, etc. without having to hold onto that thing I don't really need.

Edited April 13, 2010 by Kevin Finnerty

[JaxRolo]

I may have to try one of those. Thanks. I believe that an umpire needs to do what's comfortable for them. But it is good to experiment cause maybe trying something new might work.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I saw an umpire buddy of mine call my son's JUCO game today, and he had no indicator at all.

[zm1283]

I tried the "indicator in the bag" trick last night in a high school game and after I got used to sticking my hand in there every pitch, it worked well. I have the Ump Attire ball bags, so there are two pockets in the bag. I think I'm going to cut the divider out so there is just one big pocket - it will make reaching in there easier since I have huge hands.

I umpire with my dad quite a bit and he carries an indicator in his ball bag but doesn't use it.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I tried the "indicator in the bag" trick last night in a high school game and after I got used to sticking my hand in there every pitch, it worked well. I have the Ump Attire ball bags, so there are two pockets in the bag. I think I'm going to cut the divider out so there is just one big pocket - it will make reaching in there easier since I have huge hands.

I umpire with my dad quite a bit and he carries an indicator in his ball bag but doesn't use it.

I did exactly that, which is why I can work it without removing it.

I'm glad you like the technique. After taking your mask off without having to hold onto an indicator, or signaling counts or calling time without having to hold onto an indicator, your game takes on a whole new level of comfort.

After awhile, you'll stop feeling like your missing a shin guard or something. It's a trip, isn't it?

[NWA_UMP]

I stitched the bottom of the pockets in my ball bags so the indicator would not fall to the bottom. Just reach in and there it is...just don't make the pocket too short 'cause the indicator can/will fall out as you run down the line.