Important 'little' things

[maven]

Indicator is always left hand.

[kstrunk]

19 minutes ago, maven said:

Indicator is always left hand.

Cerebral flatulation - I corrected that. 

[maineump]

There are many things you can practice off the field:

• taking your mask off with the left hand (and having the indicator in the same hand)
• Using your indicator without looking at it. Use it during a game that you are watching on TV
• Removing a new baseball from the bag smoothly
• Once you leave the dressing area - NEVER set your mask down. Not for plate conference, changes, between innings. Just tuck it under your arm.

[kstrunk]

6 minutes ago, maineump said:

There are many things you can practice off the field

My kids make fun of me, but I've probably called more games off the field than I have on it! 

[Kevin_K]

On 5/12/2016 at 10:21 AM, kstrunk said:

holding the indicator in the correct hand,

 

heh, heh, heh.... only because I know it may get a reaction I ask, "What difference does it make which hand I have my indicator in?"

It stays in the trunk while I am on the field.   

[udbrky]

2 straight games this week in the field (haven't been off the plate in 2 weeks too!) and my PU got lost on the count in both.

Guess I better keep better track of the count

[Stk004]

58 minutes ago, Kevin_K said:

heh, heh, heh.... only because I know it may get a reaction I ask, "What difference does it make which hand I have my indicator in?"

It stays in the trunk while I am on the field.   

I feel like my indicator helps keep me engaged in the game as BU, and as @udbrky said, it's good to know the count/outs when PU loses it. 

[noumpere]

2 hours ago, Stk004 said:

I feel like my indicator helps keep me engaged in the game as BU, @udbrky

Most think NOT having one keeps you more engaged.

 

That said, I don't really GAF about this particular issue -- as long as it's used correctly (if it's used).

[kylehutson]

11 hours ago, maineump said:

Using your indicator without looking at it.

One of the best things I've ever done is get one of these. You can feel the count without looking at it.

[udbrky]

I still have my +POS that I got before "retiring" around 2000. Those were so cutting edge then. I don't see how anyone works without notched indicators.

[RichMSN]

8 hours ago, udbrky said:

I still have my +POS that I got before "retiring" around 2000. Those were so cutting edge then. I don't see how anyone works without notched indicators.

It's not a crime to take a glance at it once in a while, you know.

[kylehutson]

2 hours ago, RichMSN said:

It's not a crime to take a glance at it once in a while, you know.

It is if you miss something (e.g., pitcher walking toward the mound and zips the ball to catch a runner off-guard).

[RichMSN]

Why would that matter to a plate umpire?

[udbrky]

Yeah, but it's nice to feel the count and only glance if you're a little unsure.

[RichMSN]

I've used the same style indicator (B-S-O) for a long time now. I rarely look at it. When I need to I steal a quick glance.

My point is there are a lot of important little things that make people better umpires. This ain't one.

[noumpere]

2 hours ago, RichMSN said:

I've used the same style indicator (B-S-O) for a long time now. I rarely look at it. When I need to I steal a quick glance.

 

I happened to look at mine the other day for some reason.  It said 3 strikes and 2 balls -- after the first pitch.  I laughed as I reset it.

[taa71458]

2 hours ago, noumpere said:

It said 3 strikes and 2 balls -- after the first pitch. 

I want to work in your league. 

[KenBAZ]

Great post and string K. It's little things like this, small disciplines that keep things moving smoothly. I can focus on the things I need to focus on because I have routines in place. I've been trained and decided how I'm going to take my mask off or how and when, (every time the ball us out of play), I'm going to put the ball in play. Being predictable makes you a better teammate. You know when I'm going to give the count. You know I'm going to signal our rotations every time. You know I'm going to let you know when a fly ball has been caught. I'm keeping track of the number of warm-up pitches. How do we get our brothers in blue, (or most likely black), to start doing things the right way? Tom Peters said there is one method of influence - it is example.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

[KenBAZ]

I happened to look at mine the other day for some reason.  It said 3 strikes and 2 balls -- after the first pitch.  I laughed as I reset it.

Holding my indicator in my left hand I can advance it after every pitch no mater what I'm using my right for.

[conbo61]

10 hours ago, KenBAZ said:

 

Great post and string K. It's little things like this, small disciplines that keep things moving smoothly. I can focus on the things I need to focus on because I have routines in place. I've been trained and decided how I'm going to take my mask off or how and when, (every time the ball us out of play), I'm going to put the ball in play. Being predictable makes you a better teammate. You know when I'm going to give the count. You know I'm going to signal our rotations every time. You know I'm going to let you know when a fly ball has been caught. I'm keeping track of the number of warm-up pitches. How do we get our brothers in blue, (or most likely black), to start doing things the right way? Tom Peters said there is one method of influence - it is example.

 

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

As much as I would like to believe this, there are some people where those lessons just don't sink in.  Example works IF the observers are WILLING to change.  If not, it is like playing to an empty theater.

[zm1283]

I just look at my indicator when I need to. I used to hear guys on here talking about how it's a no-no to look at it, so you need to notch it. I don't worry that much about it. I don't look at it all the time, but if I need to I just do it...not that big of a deal. 

[NWA_UMP]

Don't hold your mask by the strap

Don't allow players/coaches to throw baseballs to you - personal pet peeve...YMMV

Don't be the "guy" that wants to talk between every inning

Count warmup pitches: 8 for new guy, 5 for used guy...keep game moving

Wash your plate hat if it has salt stains or at least clean it

More food for thought...

 

 

 

[JamesC]

On 5/12/2016 at 9:26 AM, scrounge said:

A good start to a list of things that can help set you apart and make things smoother. Some nitpicks:

• What does it matter which hand is used to put the ball in play? If it's a left handed batter, why not use your left hand so the pitcher can see better?

Right hand is the mechanic just like left hand is the mechanic to check with your partner on check swings. You can do it with your left hand if you want, but that's not the mechanic and if you're being evaluated you're going to get dinged. 

• Most people hold their indicator in their left hand. But as long as you're not staring at it, does it matter?

It matters because you need your right hand to make calls (e.g., put the ball back in play, out calls, strikes, etc.) and would look goofy if you went to make an out call and slung your indicator half way across the field on accident; or worse yet, you accidentally lost your grip on the indicator and threw it and hit one of the players.

I'll add this to the list which are some of my pet peeves:

- Putting the ball back in play too early. Pitcher is off the rubber and/or the batter is still out of the box. WAIT!

- Going to your partner on calls that YOU are responsible for when your partner has other responsibilities. Prime example of going when you shouldn't go - pulled foot at first base when you're in A. Why? Just because a coach asks for you to go for help doesn't mean you go. DO YOUR JOB!

- Refusing to go to your partner in B or C for help on check swings because they "can't see it from there". BS. I can see perfectly from here and I'll give you what I got if you come to me.

- Partners who "take it easy" on teams because it is early or for whatever reason. If they balk, call it. If they commit batter's interference on a steal play, call it. I take the crap 2 weeks later because I'm going to call it and "No one has called that all season!"

 

[JamesC]

22 hours ago, NWA_UMP said:

Don't hold your mask by the strap

Don't allow players/coaches to throw baseballs to you - personal pet peeve...YMMV

Don't be the "guy" that wants to talk between every inning

Count warmup pitches: 8 for new guy, 5 for used guy...keep game moving

Wash your plate hat if it has salt stains or at least clean it

More food for thought...

 

 

 

Excellent points! And don't put your mask on the ground EVER! I will get partners sometimes whose excuses are that the starting catcher wasn't out there yet. Oh well. I tell them at 4 pitches: "Save the last one for your starter." I'm not out there to babysit. If he wants to drag around in the dugout, that's fine. I'll let the pitcher get all 5 warmups in and when the starter comes out we start playing. "But I didn't get to throw down!" Maybe next time you'll hurry up. The warmups are for the pitcher, not the catcher. He's likely not throwing 84 MPH every pitch. Or the pitcher who wants to come out, walk around the mound a couple of times, clean the rubber off, dig a couple holes out, fill a couple of holes in, say a prayer, get some rosin, wipe his spikes, and then start on his warmup pitches. I say, "2 more!" "But that was only 1 pitch, I get 5" 

I love when that happens. Had one guy tell me, "I'm taking all 5". I did not object, told him he could take 30 if he wanted but each one after the 2 remaining I gave him would be a ball. He changed his mind quickly. I would have loved to enforce that one just for the fun of it.

[NWA_UMP]

32 minutes ago, JamesC said:

Excellent points! And don't put your mask on the ground EVER! I will get partners sometimes whose excuses are that the starting catcher wasn't out there yet. Oh well. I tell them at 4 pitches: "Save the last one for your starter." I'm not out there to babysit. If he wants to drag around in the dugout, that's fine. I'll let the pitcher get all 5 warmups in and when the starter comes out we start playing. "But I didn't get to throw down!" Maybe next time you'll hurry up. The warmups are for the pitcher, not the catcher. He's likely not throwing 84 MPH every pitch. Or the pitcher who wants to come out, walk around the mound a couple of times, clean the rubber off, dig a couple holes out, fill a couple of holes in, say a prayer, get some rosin, wipe his spikes, and then start on his warmup pitches. I say, "2 more!" "But that was only 1 pitch, I get 5" 

I love when that happens. Had one guy tell me, "I'm taking all 5". I did not object, told him he could take 30 if he wanted but each one after the 2 remaining I gave him would be a ball. He changed his mind quickly. I would have loved to enforce that one just for the fun of it.

I routinely tell the "warmup" catcher, you take no more than 4 pitches and you are calling balls in on your way to the dugout if the starter isn't out here before you get to 4. I hate it when teams drag out of the dugout to take the field.

Couple more little things:

Full count with two closed fists

Check swing and appeal for check swing with the wrong hand

guys who go outside the fence to stop chirping

guys who complain about the assignment they have while working you with you...think about that one for a second

guys who mix rules codes and don't care that they do it

guys who wear plate hat backwards

guys who don't keep uniforms in decent shape, depending on ball they call, faded, picked, stained, wrinkled, etc

 

The last point is one that has a fine line. I wear a couple pair of pants for USSSA tourney ball that I would never wear for a high school, college, showcase, SBR, Men's League or the like. They are too faded for a good first impression...not a huge issue for USSSA ball.