Vulnerable times.....

[Stan W.]

On another site, I was responding to a post where the umpires lost the count when there was a close play and a corresponding commotion in the stands that caused a delay in the action .....

Umpiring at all levels of baseball requires constant vigilance and concentration. Trouble can break out at anytime. And we need to aware of when those times makes us the most vulnerable....

Below I have listed the most probable times that an umpire’s concentration might waver.....Im not sure of the source of this, I wish I could credit them.......but I have included it in my teaching class for years....

1. In the first inning

2. With two outs in any inning

3. After a close call on a play

4. After an argument or conflict

5. After a pitching change

6. After a big inning

7. When a game becomes a blowout

8. After a GREAT or after a BAD call by either you or your partner

9. During threatening weather

10. Resuming a game after a rain delay

11. The last two innings of a game

12. When the game is moving very slowly

I attempt to teach my umpire students to be aware of situations that may lead to a breakdown in their concentration. Knowing the vulnerable times can help them in situations where the count can be lost.......

Indicators....In our HS Chapter all umpires are expected to carry and use an indicator....In a crew of any number, the UIC is primary, but the partners may be called upon to assist/clarify should the count be lost.....

It happens, its unfortunate, and its embarrassing when it happens, but it is what it is....Getting together, and consulting an official book only gives the UIC information that he may use....His call will stand....

In Higher baseball, when I have been the base umpire, I have been told not to carry an indicator. The count is the responsiblity of the UIC....

If you looked into my game journal, you would see the word focus many times.....the game is like herding cats or wrestling an octopus at times.....you must be alert and ready for any of the multitude of things that can come your way....

Focus and study are the factors that separate those who umpire from those who ARE umpires....

[Umpire in Chief]

Great post and I think it is much more a factor at the younger ages. When anything can happen at any time.

[BrianC14]

On another site, I was responding to a post where the umpires lost the count when there was a close play and a corresponding commotion in the stands that caused a delay in the action .....

Umpiring at all levels of baseball requires constant vigilance and concentration. Trouble can break out at anytime. And we need to aware of when those times makes us the most vulnerable....

Below I have listed the most probable times that an umpire’s concentration might waver.....Im not sure of the source of this, I wish I could credit them.......but I have included it in my teaching class for years....

1. In the first inning

2. With two outs in any inning

3. After a close call on a play

4. After an argument or conflict

5. After a pitching change

6. After a big inning

7. When a game becomes a blowout

8. After a GREAT or after a BAD call by either you or your partner

9. During threatening weather

10. Resuming a game after a rain delay

11. The last two innings of a game

12. When the game is moving very slowly

I attempt to teach my umpire students to be aware of situations that may lead to a breakdown in their concentration. Knowing the vulnerable times can help them in situations where the count can be lost.......

Indicators....In our HS Chapter all umpires are expected to carry and use an indicator....In a crew of any number, the UIC is primary, but the partners may be called upon to assist/clarify should the count be lost.....

It happens, its unfortunate, and its embarrassing when it happens, but it is what it is....Getting together, and consulting an official book only gives the UIC information that he may use....His call will stand....

In Higher baseball, when I have been the base umpire, I have been told not to carry an indicator. The count is the responsiblity of the UIC....

If you looked into my game journal, you would see the word focus many times.....the game is like herding cats or wrestling an octopus at times.....you must be alert and ready for any of the multitude of things that can come your way....

Focus and study are the factors that separate those who umpire from those who ARE umpires....

I think this is a good post as well, but I have to say that I cannot disagree more with all umpires in the crew using indicators. What happens, let's say, in a 3-man crew when their indicators all show different numbers? Or maybe two have one count, and the 3rd has another count? How do you reconcile that, and what if the odd-man out is the one that's actually correct? Yes, the count can be lost at times, but to me (and this is also our association's stance) that the UIC will bear the brunt of it - he will check with the official book and get it corrected if necessary. Doing that is better than stopping the game to conference with a partner(s) for something that is pretty basic.

I heartily agree with the 'focus' theme. As it happens, that particular word also shows up in my brief game journals, whether it's "Had good focus today" or "lost focus in the late innings".

Thumbs up, Stan.

[mstaylor]

I tried to nominate this post this morning before there any answers but it wouldn't take it and then it froze me out.

I understand Brian's point on the indicators but I disagree. I have been taught the same way he was but we don't work really nice minor league parks or even fairly nice college fields. We work crap fields with no official scorer and no scoreboard. Sometimes with a scoreboard but kids running it and is wrong more than right. As a result we give our guys the option of carrying one on the bases or not. If we work three man then only one extra guy carries one.

This is a big issue with some guys, others say you have to carry one and then others say do whatever. I fall in the third group. It is not a deal breaker as far as I am concerned. I carry one always, I can use it and never look at it. Stan is talking teaching new guys, I want them using every tool they can. If they feel confident enough as they progress then they can quit carrying it.

[Rich Ives]

I think this is a good post as well, but I have to say that I cannot disagree more with all umpires in the crew using indicators. What happens, let's say, in a 3-man crew when their indicators all show different numbers? Or maybe two have one count, and the 3rd has another count? How do you reconcile that, and what if the odd-man out is the one that's actually correct?

Thumbs up, Stan.

The PU has the official count. The others are just backup. It's not like you vote after every pitch.

And there's a rule that says the UIC decides which "call" is correct - right or wrong ot stands as he says.

[BrianC14]

The PU has the official count. The others are just backup. It's not like you vote after every pitch.

And there's a rule that says the UIC decides which "call" is correct - right or wrong ot stands as he says.

Then what's the point of a base umpire(s) having them? Backup?

I'm not talking about getting together on every pitch to discuss, so your statement holds no water. The point is that if the UIC's count is off, you end up both looking pretty foolish if the base umpire isn't correct... and that's the point! If the UIC's count is wrong, he simply checks it with the official book. If the book doesn't have it, then you go on what the UIC says, because now his count is "official" - and get on with the game. Now, if the base umpire does know, he can simply flash it. But seeing a base umpire snapping away on every pitch is just silly. It could also be said that a base umpire using an indicator just doubles the chance that the count will be wrong.

To me, if this about teaching new umpires, then teach them the right way the first time. My high school association discourages this practice, and my collegiate association... well, let's just say that if you were found using an indicator on the bases, then you would BE in my collegiate associaton.

Look, I'm not saying carrying one on the bases is "wrong" per se, you do as your local instructs, but where I disagree is where it's somehow "helpful" - I just don't believe that it is. Let me put it in these terms: carrying a ballbag and a brush on the bases isn't "wrong" either... it's just entirely useless to have that stuff out there.

Edited June 2, 2010 by BrianC14

[LMSANS]

If the UIC is off, who knows that the base umpire is wrong? There is a better chance if both umpires are using an indicator of one of them being right than if only the UIC has one. I use one at all my games. I seldom need to look at it, but I have it just in case. In over 400 games (over 300 plates), I have lost the count about 5 times. I went right to my partner and got my answer.

[tiger49]

I would fall into the group that feels that only one indicator should be brought on the field. I feel just too many bad things can happen when there are two or more on the field.

Also in the original post, I feel you left out the two most common reasons for concentration problems in umpiring.

-Dehydration

-Loss of energy, due to poor eating leading up to game time.

[LMSANS]

I would fall into the group that feels that only one indicator should be brought on the field. I feel just too many bad things can happen when there are two or more on the field.

Also in the original post, I feel you left out the two most common reasons for concentration problems in umpiring.

-Dehydration

-Loss of energy, due to poor eating leading up to game time.

HUH?

[tiger49]

HUH?

Here is a list of things

Just after a steal BU doesn't get the previous pitch and while correcting his indicator misses a balk or a pickoff play.

Mis records a pitch and both now have the wrong count.

BU spends way too much time worrying about the count.

Teams will be asking PU to confirm with BU more often, especially when BU has already overruled PU once.

I also find it much more useful to workout the situation and have the coach not in agreement go over the pitches, 9 out of 10 times the situation usually works itself out.

[Rich Ives]

Teams will be asking PU to confirm with BU more often, especially when BU has already overruled PU once.

.

They'll ask anyway.

[txump81]

In our LL, all umpires carry an indicator. As a new plate umpire, I have lost the count a few times, mainly in my first game. It has been almost nil since then, but it does happen. It is always nice to have a backup. More times than not, the BU had the correct count and was able to give PU correct count without anyone knowing.

Just an OOPS from tonight. Me-PU. 1 out. R1. Line drive to F4 who then doubles off R1. I wasn't real sure about having 1 out for some reason. Brain Fart I guess. My indicator showed 1 but I wasn't sure. BU was in same situation. After the double play, the *hush-hush* coaches told the players there were 3 outs. Concentration-concentration.

[mstaylor]

For some reason you guys make using a indicator on the bases as some super difficult thing that will cause umpires to miss plays and cause major chaos on the infield. If you can work a plate and keep track of all the crap around it without looking at the damn thing, you should be able to on the bases.

If you are told locally to use it then use it. If told to not use it then don't. If you are told it's dealer's choice then do whatever you are comfortable with. I agree with Brian that on a NCAA field you probably don't need it nor should use it if your conference says no.

Most youth games, AL, Fed and most youth leagues have bad scoreboards, no scoreboards and wrong scoreboards. On those fields I can see having a back-up.

As a BU you shouldn't be showing counts or outs unless asked. I rarely show signals back to my PU, I just nod. I don't think you should look like a worling derbis out there. I just don't think a guy holding a little piece of plastic in his hand and turning wheels is all that distracting. Now if you have a guy looking at it every pitch then he needs to figure it out.

Edited June 3, 2010 by mstaylor

[BrianC14]

For some reason you guys make using a indicator on the bases as some super difficult thing that will cause umpires to miss plays and cause major chaos on the infield. If you can work a plate and keep track of all the crap around it without looking at the damn thing, you should be able to on the bases.

Circular logic, Mike.

It stands to reason that if an umpire truly WERE capable of handling all that "crap", then there wouldn't BE a need for the crutch - er, sorry - the "backup" indicator in the infield. Which is likely why so many of these boards of directors/associations/etc. force an umpire to use one on the bases... or why a base umpire might feel compelled to use one.... because he know his partner can't, or perhaps he knows that he himself can't handle all the "crap", so a 'backup' is needed.

Last summer I worked nearly every plate game without an indicator... that doesn't make me special, but it did force me to concentrate on the game and each situation. A lot of guys I work with don't use one, and as I've said, if one is used on the bases, it's a sure sign of "we as a group aren't capable enough". That's just the way it is out here. Your mileage may vary.

Scoreboards? Most games I work (spring season) use them. I hate them. I routinely have to signal behind my back what the count is... because the board operator is so often wrong. Depending on a scoreboard to give the right count is like.... well, it's like depending on a scoreboard operator to be paying attention.

It's interesting to note in this thread.. and this is by no means scientifically based - but it seems that most users of indicators in the field are working youth level games. Poll, anyone?

Edited June 3, 2010 by BrianC14

[mstaylor]

I don't think a poll is needed, just read my last post. I absolutely believe that most working youth sports use them. It is less needed at the D1 or MiLB levels. I know guys that work plates with no indicator, bad idea in my book, and that is fine if it works for you.

[yawetag]

I carry an indicator as BU for all levels I umpire (HS on down). My first year in HS, I asked my first few partners if I should carry it -- each said I should, and that I should keep it updated.

As the BU, I have never corrected the PU's count. NEVER. Even when our counts didn't match, I didn't correct him. If a problem came up, which is has, he either kept his count or looked at the official book -- he NEVER came to me.

As the PU, I have never had my count corrected. NEVER. I've had the wrong count before, too. If a coach argued, I went to the book IF I knew mine could be wrong.

The question now is why the BU should carry one if it's never used. Good question. If my partner wants me to carry and use it, then I will. Since my first three partners in high school wanted it, I did it. Since then, I haven't asked -- and no other partner has complained.

I didn't think it was that difficult.

[txump81]

I will admit to being human and losing the count as PU. In our pre-game meeting, we have a signal(much like the traveling call in basketball) that has been used if PU loses the count. PU gives the little rolling hands signal and BU gives a quick flash of the count. Works well for us as we never have an official book. YMMV

[Thunderheads]

Back on topic ..........

How about this one guys ...

After a steal attempt, overthrow, or a run-down situation .....

[Umpete]

I find that using an indicator, whether in the field or behind the plate, actually helps me relax and stay more focused. I have worked a few games behind the plate without one, and I was definitely more consciously concerned about not losing the count. I don't look at it as often as I did when I first started, but just turning the wheel and hearing the "click," I know I've got the count and can be more aware of other things that are or could be going on. I admire and respect a PU who can do a game without one, even thought at one time it was a goal to shoot for, but I've changed my mind.

[Mike Prince]

When in the field I normally use an indicator but rarely if ever look at it. Our "official book" is the home team book and we are lucky if the mom maintaining it even gets the score right some days.

I started the season not using one on the bases but I found that my concentration actually wavered with keeping the count/outs in my head in case my partner lost the count for any reason. To each his own I guess. All of our umpires use one in the field so I actually stood out more without one.

[Big Red]

Most youth games, AL, Fed and most youth leagues have bad scoreboards, no scoreboards and wrong scoreboards. On those fields I can see having a back-up.

As a BU you shouldn't be showing counts or outs unless asked. I rarely show signals back to my PU, I just nod. I don't think you should look like a worling derbis out there. I just don't think a guy holding a little piece of plastic in his hand and turning wheels is all that distracting. Now if you have a guy looking at it every pitch then he needs to figure it out.

When in the field I normally use an indicator but rarely if ever look at it. Our "official book" is the home team book and we are lucky if the mom maintaining it even gets the score right some days.

I agree w/ Mike but will add an additional reason.

I worked exclusively youth ball this year, my first year back after being out for a few years. So, as I got my feet back under me, I definitely used one as PU just to help me keep track of everything. Yeah, it was rough at first, but got comfortable enough using it that it became 2nd nature. I'll admit the flip side is I crutch on it and have little confidence I could work w/o one...would take more work to be able to call w/o one like Brian mentions. Not sure if I ever will, but one step at a time.

And I quote bikerider's comment because after 2 games in particular w/ "mom volunteer" scorekeepers, I've also found it necessary to keep track of innings in addition to balls/strikes and outs. In those 2 games, even though I would check w/ them after each half-inning on the score, they still managed to jack up the book to where we weren't sure what inning we were in!!! True story and both games involved potential 10-run rule scenarios. But, such is the life of youth ball and it is what it is.

Now as far as carrying one as BU...this year I've found it's situational as the addtl part here is the organization to which I belong had several newbies working their first games.

When they worked the plate, I used it as BU because they constantly lost count of not only balls/strikes but also outs and were always checking with me.

Now, does that mean I always have/had it right? No, and I didn't spend an inordinate amount of time jacking w/ it to where it was a distraction...a whirling dervish as Mike puts it ...but it helped w/ my and my partner's game mgmt, which is all that counted.

At the same time, I was fortunate to have in our org a guy with whom I'd worked in my previous umpiring stint several years back...he's a great umpire and has been umpiring 30+ yrs.

When he had the dish, no indicator because I've only known him to lose a count one time. I still kept track mentally, and actually used those times to work on that aspect of the crutch I mentioned earlier, but the indicator was less-needed than more-needed.

I know those arguments can go both ways, but my and YMMV.

Check w/ your org obviously, but bottom-line: It should come down to what helps you, considering the specific level of umpire development/improvement you're at, to call the best game you possibly can.

[Stan W.]

Back on topic ..........

How about this one guys ...

After a steal attempt, overthrow, or a run-down situation .....

those are all good too!

my list is not intended to be all inclusive, but if it gets umpires into realizing that any event that causes a break in concentration is a "vulnerable moment" then we will know to add in that extra bit of focus so we dont get surprised....

I had a boss years ago who would tell me:

Stan, I dont mind bad news......but SURPRISE bad news is another thing....

As umpires we want to be alert to situations where things could surprise us.....because SURPRISE is the field where umpire errors grow.........

Edited June 3, 2010 by Stan W.
usual suspects...spelling and clarity

[yawetag]

I've also found it necessary to keep track of innings in addition to balls/strikes and outs. In those 2 games, even though I would check w/ them after each half-inning on the score, they still managed to jack up the book to where we weren't sure what inning we were in!!!

I've always had an issue with the books at the local park, so I made my own way of keeping track. I printed small scorecards on card stock; each card is the size of a playing card.

On my indi-clicker-thingy, I use "Inning" to keep track of the runs for that half-inning. After the third out, I record the runs on my card, then zero it out.

I began using it on the high school fields, too, but only as the BU. At the plate, I use the margin of one of the lineup cards. As BU, I can use the back of the card to write down information for warnings and ejections, as well as little notes for me to remember for my journal for the game.

[PeteBooth]

1. In the first inning

2. With two outs in any inning

3. After a close call on a play

4. After an argument or conflict

5. After a pitching change

6. After a big inning

7. When a game becomes a blowout

8. After a GREAT or after a BAD call by either you or your partner

9. During threatening weather

10. Resuming a game after a rain delay

11. The last two innings of a game

12. When the game is moving very slowly

Stan great post BUT you forgot the REAL number 1 reason

A GLM with a short sun dress and halter top.

Talk about losing one's concentration.

Pete Booth

[Stan W.]

Stan great post BUT you forgot the REAL number 1 reason

A GLM with a short sun dress and halter top.

Talk about losing one's concentration.

Pete Booth

I thought about that!.........and to that end........here you go....

My GLM Distracting story....

4th of July tourney......14U ball.......amazing GLM on 1st base line........hot day.......GLM rotuinely putting her legs up on the chain link fence.......loose shorts, not wearing underwear..........Noticed base Coaches alternating each half inning.....until I was walking to my position and saw why......

great tan lines.......