Forgot my indicator last night

[dl1340]

Had a 16u game last night. Forgot my indicator in my bag last night after I got to field. Had to focus more on keeping up with the count instead of looking down at indicator. I have been stop carrying indicator on bases. It felt so good not having indicator in my hand on the dish last night. I work with one or two guys that never carry one on the dish

[MadMax]

Welcome to the madness, @dl1340. I have been indicator-free for approaching 2 years now. It's an oddly liberating feeling, isn't it?

If you want to continue to quit "cold turkey", go for it. You can do it. If you want to wean yourself off it, try carrying the indicator in your ball bag and only using it for Outs.

[mhoffman]

i was told last summer at an evaluations if I could count to 4.  I said yes then the evaluator said then you don't need an indicator lol....so I haven't used one since, most "veterans" say well if you aren't using one Ill use one then....i say ok do what you need but I wont need to ask you count unless I get hit in the groin or knocked out. HAHA It feels weird at first but it def keeps you focused and not looking at your hand at all....coaches test me all the time on count just to see if i'm on my game lol...

[ricka56]

If you use an indicator on the dish:
you ain't got a hair on your arse;
you're lonesome...chicks dig umpires that don't use indicators;
you're kids (if by some remote chance that you mated) won't respect you;
you're dog treats you as if was a cat;
softball umpires look down on you;
the good humor man won't stop for you...speeds up;
you don't know how to bar-b-q;
you sit down to pee.



 

[ElkOil]

If you use an indicator on the dish:
you ain't got a hair on your arse;
you're lonesome...chicks dig umpires that don't use indicators;
you're kids (if by some remote chance that you mated) won't respect you;
you're dog treats you as if was a cat;
softball umpires look down on you;
the good humor man won't stop for you...speeds up;
you don't know how to bar-b-q;
you sit down to pee.



 

​Are all of those things true?  If not, I've got some catching up to do.  I can check off about half of them.  Okay... maybe most of them.  Actually, all but the first one.

[catsbackr]

Use an indicator or not.  Just don't feel the need to CONSTANTLY look at it.

[UmpJeff]

Look at you, @ricka56, tryin' to stir the $hitpot!

[MadMax]

Had to focus more on keeping up with the count instead of looking down at indicator. 

​

It feels weird at first but it def keeps you focused and not looking at your hand at all...

​

Use an indicator or not.  Just don't feel the need to CONSTANTLY look at it.

​There's something crucial – vital, even – to these statements. Two things:

1. What are an umpire's primary, main, most important tools? His (or her) eyes.
2. What is the single-most important thing to know in baseball? The whereabouts and status of the ball.

So then why are you, Captain Clicker, looking down at that piece of plastic clutched in your hand??!! You're missing half the game!!

I do not share Mister Miller's machismo that not using an indicator makes you a bigger or better man, or a bigger or better umpire. Keeping aware of the ball, and anticipating, reading and reacting to action involving the ball does. If you feel you need to use an indicator to keep track of the count (something that takes a second seat to the status of the ball), then do so... Just discipline (or train) yourself not to let it take your eyes away from what is involving the ball.

Case in point – I was BU partner to a (fairly new) PU who was constantly checking his indicator like it was a Geiger counter. There was a play at the plate. Immediately upon making his safe call and mechanic (which needs alot of work, but I digress), he set right to clearing his indicator, looking down at it, completely oblivious to what was happening around him... wherein F2 had to retrieve the ball and then throw – right past PU's head – towards 2B where BR was advancing (and I was waiting for that play). Did the ball hit one of the on-deck batters? Did it hit an object on or near the on-deck circle? Did PU even know where it was?? 

[stl_ump]

​

​

Case in point – I was BU partner to a (fairly new) PU who was constantly checking his indicator like it was a Geiger counter. There was a play at the plate. Immediately upon making his safe call and mechanic (which needs alot of work, but I digress), he set right to clearing his indicator, looking down at it, completely oblivious to what was happening around him... wherein F2 had to retrieve the ball and then throw – right past PU's head – towards 2B where BR was advancing (and I was waiting for that play). Did the ball hit one of the on-deck batters? Did it hit an object on or near the on-deck circle? Did PU even know where it was?? 

​That's pretty typical of all new umpires.  Did you give him some good advice?

I always encourage them to use it while they are watching a game on TV.  That way they can get used to it quicker.

[Umpirechick1]

If you use an indicator on the dish:
you ain't got a hair on your arse;
you're lonesome...chicks dig umpires that don't use indicators;
you're kids (if by some remote chance that you mated) won't respect you;
you're dog treats you as if was a cat;
softball umpires look down on you;
the good humor man won't stop for you...speeds up;
you don't know how to bar-b-q;
you sit down to pee.



 

​Well.... @ricka56, while you might THINK that some of those statements are true, here is something that IS true.

You're kids should be "YOUR" kids
You're dog should be "YOUR" dog

It's OK if you sit down to pee - especially if you're a woman.  And even then, we sometimes squat because that's how our mamas raised us!  

 

[noumpere]

It's OK if you sit down to pee - especially if you're a woman.  And even then, we sometimes squat because that's how our mamas raised us!  

 

​Reminds me of:

 

What is it that a gentleman does while standing, a lady does while sitting, and a dog does while on three legs?

 

Shake hands.

[BCBrad]

I do not use a indicator on the bases as my association's dress code states only pu are to use them. 

However, I use an inconspicuous ring on my left hand. Thumb - 0 out; index - 1 out; middle - 2 out. 

As for pu, I would be lost without one. I think what I enjoy about umpiring (15 years with a 20-year hiatus in between) is the difference in strengths of myself and my partners. If you get uppity about another umpire not being "professional" to you; you may be missing building a great working relationship with your partner. We all have our quirks, and we are all striving to get better. 

 

Edited May 22, 2015 by Brad Jones
Grammar

[Thunderheads]

If you use an indicator on the dish:
you ain't got a hair on your arse;
you're lonesome...chicks dig umpires that don't use indicators;
you're kids (if by some remote chance that you mated) won't respect you;
you're dog treats you as if was a cat;
softball umpires look down on you;
the good humor man won't stop for you...speeds up;
you don't know how to bar-b-q;
you sit down to pee.



 

​wow, one day we'll all be as good as you!  

[Thunderheads]

Look at you, @ricka56, tryin' to stir the $hitpot!

​NO!!! Say it isn't so Jeff!!!

[ricka56]

​wow, one day we'll all be as good as you!  

​At recognizing sarcasm ? Yes, you have a ways to go.

[Thunderheads]

​At recognizing sarcasm ? Yes, you have a ways to go.

​you're such a smartass half the time, ...it gets tough .......but I'll be man enough to say, ....you got me, and ..... IT IS actually funny!

[UmpJeff]

He got me, too, Jeff!

[Thunderheads]

We've kinda veered off  topic haven't we?

​how so?  EVERY flipping time someone brings up the "indicator" ....  it turns into a "battle" of DO and DON'T ... it's ridiculous quite honestly .......

[zm1283]

After multiple threads about indicator use, I'm still trying to figure out why this topic is a "mechanic". If this is a mechanic, then taking a dump before the game must be a mechanic too. 

This would be a perfect Free For All topic. Mods?

[dl1340]

That was no my inent when I started the subject, maybe it should have been in free for all. I just found it nce and liberating to call the dish without an indicator plain and simple. I didn't mean to start a bash thread. I would post more but lately threads get hijacked, people jump all over people if something not laid out in thread perfectly. I started thread on wilson dyna lite aluminum mask input and before you know if we are talking about shirts in it. I guess I go back to viewing only for a while

[noumpere]

 If this is a mechanic, then taking a dump before the game must be a mechanic too.

 

​Having a pre-game has been discussed.

[ElkOil]

That was no my inent when I started the subject, maybe it should have been in free for all. I just found it nce and liberating to call the dish without an indicator plain and simple. I didn't mean to start a bash thread. I would post more but lately threads get hijacked, people jump all over people if something not laid out in thread perfectly. I started thread on wilson dyna lite aluminum mask input and before you know if we are talking about shirts in it. I guess I go back to viewing only for a while

​Maybe this site needs more from you and not less?  Just a thought to chew on.

[Majordave]

I've done some significant editing/hiding to this thread again. 

also please PM me about his posts you find offensive, insensitive, inane or insane. I'll edit, warn, eject as appropriate. Please don't feed the trolls. Thanks for your support. 

[Umpire in Chief]

I've developed a method using my fingers to keep count. I've got it going pretty well, but just haven't used it in a game that counts yet. I'll try to post some pictures...

[ZebraStripes]

If you use an indicator on the dish:
you ain't got a hair on your arse;
you're lonesome...chicks dig umpires that don't use indicators;
you're kids (if by some remote chance that you mated) won't respect you;
you're dog treats you as if was a cat;
softball umpires look down on you;
the good humor man won't stop for you...speeds up;
you don't know how to bar-b-q;
you sit down to pee.



 

​your eyes are wandering in the shower are they?