Stopwatch recommendations?

[grayhawk]

The digital watch I keep in my ball bag is on the fritz.  I figure a stopwatch is probably the logical replacement.  Which stopwatch is recommended for umpiring?  Features that seem to make sense:

Clock, backlight, count up and count down timers, alarm

I saw the one on ump-attire, but it had a poor review and doesn't seem to have the above features.  Equipment junkies sound off!

[Thunderheads]

I'm pretty sure this is the one I have ...mine is the older model ....but ...I'm pretty sure it's the 220

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4004753&mkwid=snHTF93gj_dc&camp=PPC:nHTF93gj_dc:68929728085|b:_inurl:4004753

[noumpere]

I got one at Target for about $10.  I think it has all of the above (maybe not count down timer).

 

I got tired of paying more at the official supply houses and sporting goods stores only to have them break.

 

I also once got a dual "kitchen timer" clock at Radio Shack for cheap that I used when I was flying.  It performed all of the functions of the "fancy" aviation clocks for 10% of the price.  It did have a magnet and a clip -- so depending on how you are using it in baseball, that could come in handy.

[bighouse]

This is the one I have. Really like it. Has court down timer as well as stop watch.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Oslo-Silver-2-0-Stopwatch-Countdown/dp/B002D3X4KU/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1432665979&sr=8-23&keywords=stop+watch

[mbkcoach]

Accusplit stopwatches is what I like. But I use an old timex ironman without a band in my ball bag. 

[clasonater]

I'm pretty sure this is the one I have ...mine is the older model ....but ...I'm pretty sure it's the 220

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4004753&mkwid=snHTF93gj_dc&camp=PPC:nHTF93gj_dc:68929728085|b:_inurl:4004753

​Walmart has a similar one for about 12 bucks.  mine has lasted about a year now.  When the battery does go out they should have replacements in the jewelry department. 

[Umpire in Chief]

I prefer to go relatively cheap on these. One of the following is bound to happen:

• It gets washed & dried
• My kids take it
• A partner "borrows" it

[grayhawk]

I ended up getting this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007ZGZVQ/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Don't think it has a countdown timer, but probably not a big deal since I don't work many timed games anymore, and when I do, it's usually pretty laid back.  Thanks everyone for the recommendations.

Edited May 26, 2015 by grayhawk

[Jimurray]

Why would you need a stop watch? Baseball is not a timed game. Oh, never mind. But, why not have your base ump wear a wrist watch?

[Blueump]

Why would you need a stop watch? Baseball is not a timed game. Oh, never mind. But, why not have your base ump wear a wrist watch?

​Sometimes it is.  I frequently do games that have a time limit (no inning shall begin after 1:45 min).  It looks a bit awkward to pull out your cell phone to check the time, and who really wears watches anymore?

[MadMax]

Why would you need a stop watch? Baseball is not a timed game. Oh, never mind. But, why not have your base ump wear a wrist watch?

As others and @Blueump say(s), many games at the levels I work have time limits. Tournament games, one after another, are notorious for limits. One complex has it so structured, they have countdown timers on the scoreboards, as if this was a soccer match or football game. And yes, the time wasting shenanigans do start to seep out.

In addition, there are instances where we need to time the interval between innings, or during conferences. There are coaches who will insist on getting their full minute.

I previously used an iPod Nano 6 (the one with a clip) until recently, wherein sweat caused the buttons to fuse stuck. Also, a wristwatch isn't ideal to be wearing. Fishing out your smartphone between innings gives the wrong impression too ("Coach, I told you about being in your phone in the coaching box... Hang on, I gotta check the time."). An inexpensive stopwatch w/ countdown timer is ideal.

PS- Ever have that freaked-out, sick feeling when you were previously working as BU, then switched to PU for the current game, only to discover (by alert sound, vibrate or feel) that your smartphone is in your front pocket while you're calling balls and strikes?? Yeesh!

[noumpere]

PS- Ever have that freaked-out, sick feeling when you were previously working as BU, then switched to PU for the current game, only to discover (by alert sound, vibrate or feel) that your smartphone is in your front pocket while you're calling balls and strikes?? Yeesh!

No.

For one, I would "never" take my phone on the field as BU or PU.

For another, I change pants between games.​

[dl1340]

I have the one from ump attire web page. It works fine for me. I use it as PU and BU as  a lot of my games have time limits.

https://www.ump-attire.com/Baseball-Umpire-Equipment/Bags-Tools/Watches-Timers/R-522_Robic-UmpireReferee-Stopwatch

[MadMax]

No.

For one, I would "never" take my phone on the field as BU or PU.

For another, I change pants between games.​

Typically, I don't bring the phone either. Within the past two weeks, with my iPn down-and-out, gotta have it with, on silent, keeping the time as BU. How fortuitous that @grayhawk needed a stopwatch... there are some good recommendations here.

When you're doing 15 games in 2.25 days, you don't have the luxury of changing pants per role, let alone between games. You possibly change shirts, relieve, chew on something, hydrate, and it's Play Ball on the next one.

And yes, coaches, there is a time limit on this game...

[Fittske24]

Why would you need a stop watch? Baseball is not a timed game. Oh, never mind. But, why not have your base ump wear a wrist watch?

​Stop watches are also needed for between inning timing. Some of the larger Div-1 schools are installing pitch clocks but all do not have them so a stop watch is needed. I also use them in games when there is no between inning or pitch clock rule being enforced. This helps me determine if the crew is allowing two much time between innings. Anything around 90 sec. is good. Anything above we need to pick up the pace between innings.

Edited June 4, 2015 by Fittske24

[bluejerred]

@grawhawk.  Are you looking for something that is just to specifically time games?

[grayhawk]

@grawhawk.  Are you looking for something that is just to specifically time games?

​I already bought one, but how I envisioned using this was as a clock, and an easy way to alert me as to when a "no new" or "drop dead" time has occurred.  If I am lucky enough to be selected into the college group here, then I could use it as a pitch clock as well.