Indicators

[Frank Rizzo]

I always use my indicator on the plate. I never use my indicator on the field. I never ask my partner for the count when I'm doing to plate. If a situation comes up regarding the count, I take it up with the official scorer.

[Dragon29]

The reason that many LL umpires wear a ball bag on the bases is the PU uses a raft and has no idea how to handle the extra baseballs so it falls to the BU.

Michael,

I have a great deal of respect for you and for the information you post on this site. While your explanation here may well be accurate, I still don't buy it.

Slice it how you want, dealing with the extra baseballs is the PU's job, not mine when I'm BU. Even in LL (which I work a lot of) wearing a ball bag on the bases is just plain wrong and as others have indicated, I wouldn't do it, nor would I allow a BU to do it if I'm on the plate.

Just my opinion - to quote another poster - your mileage may vary.

[blue32]

This is a little off base, but reading through this thread made me think about it. I umpire a lot of little league for the simple reason that my boys play, and I can't stand to watch some of these parents struggle. That being said, I have a head coach that always carries an indicator and constantly refers to it during his time coaching from 3rd base. It doesn't bother me, but I have to wonder what some of you guys would say about that?

I was working a summer league tournament last year, and a coach kept asking me for the count something like every other pitch. No lie. So after a couple innings of this, I casually strode over between innings, reached my hand out and said I had something for him, and put my backup indicator in his hand. He laughed and hung onto it for an inning or two, then gave it back and never asked for the count again.

[mstaylor]

Michael,

I have a great deal of respect for you and for the information you post on this site. While your explanation here may well be accurate, I still don't buy it.

Slice it how you want, dealing with the extra baseballs is the PU's job, not mine when I'm BU. Even in LL (which I work a lot of) wearing a ball bag on the bases is just plain wrong and as others have indicated, I wouldn't do it, nor would I allow a BU to do it if I'm on the plate.

Just my opinion - to quote another poster - your mileage may vary.

I agree 100% about carrying ball bags on the bases. I tell everyone not to do it but there are a few that just don't listen.

All I was pointing out was how it came about.

[huntbomb72]

I usually adjust my mask every few pitches. I use my left hand to do so and as such can get an inconspicuous glance at my indicator. Meanwhile, I am not looking down at my indicator as I am bringing it up to my face and barely take my eyes from the field. Call it a crutch if you like, but when you work one-man and umpire almost every day as I do, I would rather glance often than forget the count or # of outs. I do agree with comments about not staring at it. A quick glance should be all you ever need.

[MCLEOD36]

Indicators on the field and ball bags on the field...TOO MUCH OF A BOY SCOUT. I usually am prepared but not that prepared. I (if on bases) will keep an indicator in my pocket for my partner if he doesnt have one (which happens) and slip balls thrown to me in my pocket to keep innings going, then give them to PU between innnings.

[Mr Umpire]

I do not understand why so many have an issue with indicators.

Yes, don't stare at it. But, if you have it and want to glance at it, then do so, even without some cover up of adjusting your mask if you want.

Why do so many think it is unprofessional to have/use one behind the plate or on the bases? If you want to compare yourself to the pros, then get professional scorekeepers. Oh, and BTW, even the pros screw up b/c they only go by the professional scorekeepers. There is an example I have seen from time to time on TV where the umpires gave 4 outs to the offense b/c the scoreboard only had 2 outs on it in a pro game. It is not a recent video but still illustrates the point.

Now, who looks professional? The ones with the correct count and outs or the ones who just gave the offense 4 outs b/c they didn't want to carry an indicator?

The comparison is unfair and unjust. Do what is comfortable and what is required by your association. Not b/c somebody behind a computer or is doing the same level as you says. Ask those who have a problem with it if they are doing any pro games next week.

Are there anymore animations I can think of to use in here? I may just have to do a post with all of them in it or start a thread with just that.B)

[LMSANS]

I do not understand why so many have an issue with indicators.

Yes, don't stare at it. But, if you have it and want to glance at it, then do so, even without some cover up of adjusting your mask if you want.

Now, who looks professional? The ones with the correct count and outs or the ones who just gave the offense 4 outs b/c they didn't want to carry an indicator?

The comparison is unfair and unjust. Do what is comfortable and what is required by your association. Not b/c somebody behind a computer or is doing the same level as you says. Ask those who have a problem with it if they are doing any pro games next week.

Are there anymore animations I can think of to use in here? I may just have to do a post with all of them in it or start a thread with just that.B)

Thank you :wow:mr. umpire.: You :have :kissass:stated the:banghead:case quite:clap:clearly.

What???????? A limit of only 8 images!!!!!! Un-American, I say! (should be an image here

[Umpire in Chief]

What???????? A limit of only 8 images!!!!!! Un-American, I say! (should be an image here

I removed the limit. Lets see how this goes.

[catoblue]

I removed the limit. Lets see how this goes.

it could get:WTF pretty:wow: wild:kissass: and :agasp_:crazy, but:banghead:

what the heck?

Of all the:ranton:forums:rantoff:I belong to:2cents:, this one:Horse:has the:FIRE::HD:B):cool:the most comprehensive collection to cover most any thought.

and now that I'm done abusing it, I'll return to simply using appropriate ones for whatever I happen to be discussing. Sorry Warren, I just couldn't resist!!!!

[Umpire in Chief]

Of all the:ranton:forums:rantoff:I belong to:2cents:, this one:Horse:has the:FIRE::HD:B):cool:the most comprehensive collection to cover most any thought.

I belong to another with almost 1000 of them. I stole many of these from there.

[Mr Umpire]

it could get:WTF pretty:wow: wild:kissass: and :agasp_:crazy, but:banghead:

what the heck?

Of all the:ranton:forums:rantoff:I belong to:2cents:, this one:Horse:has the:FIRE::HD:B):cool:the most comprehensive collection to cover most any thought.

and now that I'm done abusing it, I'll return to simply using appropriate ones for whatever I happen to be discussing. Sorry Warren, I just couldn't resist!!!!

:rollinglaugh:LOL...That was my idea.:BD:

[widac]

:rollinglaugh:LOL...That was my idea.

Let's get back to the important question...should I use an inderclickerater on the bases or not??:shrug:

[Mr Umpire]

Let's get back to the important question...should I use an inderclickerater on the bases or not??

Just remember. If the count gets so high that you have to start counting on your toes, then something may be wrong. This should say "Give Me More Beer".

[Umpire in Chief]

Back to topic...

I had a LL Majors game Saturday and I forgot to put in my blog about the game. I was working the bases. The head coach hollers for his kid to go to first my partner said no its 3-2. Coach continued to say it was ball 4. The coach looks over at me and yelled, "What do you have for the count?"

I yelled back, "I don't keep count"

The coach threw his hands up in the air and turned his back to both of us shaking his head.

In hind site I should just have said 3-2.

[BT_Blue]

I use one on the plate. Leave it in the car on the bases. Just my personal preference. Especially when I am on a field with a working score board. However, I found myself and my partner in a "pickle" during a college game when neither of us knew the proper number of outs and I got caught unaware of a time play (thought there was none or one out and there happened to be two... Ooops!)

Just a note. A mentor of mine works for the Big West and they require the base guys to carry an indicator on the field.

[BT_Blue]

I belong to another with almost 1000 of them. I stole many of these from there.

Im voting for more of them... smilies are always funny and worth while.

[BrianDawn95]

I know this is an older thread, but I'm new here so . . .

I love the idea of notching the indicator and then sneaking looks at it while adjusting my mask. In fact, I'm heading out to my car right after this to start filing away!! I havent worked any games above LL majors, so I can't speak to how things are done in higher divisions.

In our league, BUs carry indicators and use them. We are all volunteer umpires, so having the BU mirror the PU when he flashes the count is honestly one less thing I have to worry about. Especially after some of the craziness which occurs after the action is SEEMINGLY over.

[Dragon29]

Brian,

I also work a lot of LL (along w/other levels) but I would not recommend what you seem to say your league us doing. That is having the BU 'mirror' the PU when he flashes (shows?) the count.

Having the BU keep the count on an indicator as a backup for the PU is one thing; having him actively show the count (unless asked to do so by the PU) is another and I think a very bad idea.

What if BU & PU have different counts and players/coaches see them show it differently. Back up the PU; don't do his job for him.

Just my :wow:

[mstaylor]

I agree with the BU not showing counts. However, I do say that if you have a different count then show it. That way the PU can double check himself or get together to fix the problem. As a BU, I rarely show any signs back for anything, I just nod.

[BrianDawn95]

I see that point. In fact, tonight I was the BU for a LL Majors game. For the first time I consciously tried to keep track of the time I spent looking at the indicator. Amazingly, I almost missed a runner taking second on a wild pitch on ball four. I was resetting that dumb thing when he flew right past me on his way to second. Luckily, I was able to trail the runner and get set and still for the throw from the catcher on a close play at second.

I have only been a member here for a short time and already I am learning things that have helped me be a better umpire.

[mstaylor]

Notch that little puupy and you will never have to look again.

[BT_Blue]

I notch mine at zero... that way I know where to start and I dont have to look.

[Mr Umpire]

I have only one issue with keeping the count. I don't care if the BU keeps the count mentally or with an indicator or not at all.

However, if the PU calls out a different count for any reason than what the BU has, as BU, DO NOT CALL "TIME" TO DISCUSS THE COUNT WITH THE PU!!!!!!!

I had one do that the other night. I called 2-0 when I had 3-0 on the indicator. The batter questioned it and before I could look at my indicator to verify, BU called "Time" and started jogging toward me. I had no clue what was going on. I didn't know if he saw something behind me that I didn't see.

He comes in and tells me where the pitches were and that the count was 3-0. I'm sitting here thinking "You called time for that. Stay the he!! away from me for the rest of the game." Wasting my time with something which is not his area to think about.

So, keep track any way you want. Just don't overstep your bounds and responsibility. BU responsibility does not include discussing the count with the PU. If he asks what the count is by signaling, then just signal it back. Do not call "Time" to go and talk to him about it. Wasting time for something which would have taken 1 second to flash the count to him.

[Ump Rube]

I have only one issue with keeping the count. I don't care if the BU keeps the count mentally or with an indicator or not at all.

However, if the PU calls out a different count for any reason than what the BU has, as BU, DO NOT CALL "TIME" TO DISCUSS THE COUNT WITH THE PU!!!!!!!

I had one do that the other night. I called 2-0 when I had 3-0 on the indicator. The batter questioned it and before I could look at my indicator to verify, BU called "Time" and started jogging toward me. I had no clue what was going on. I didn't know if he saw something behind me that I didn't see.

He comes in and tells me where the pitches were and that the count was 3-0. I'm sitting here thinking "You called time for that. Stay the he!! away from me for the rest of the game." Wasting my time with something which is not his area to think about.

So, keep track any way you want. Just don't overstep your bounds and responsibility. BU responsibility does not include discussing the count with the PU. If he asks what the count is by signaling, then just signal it back. Do not call "Time" to go and talk to him about it. Wasting time for something which would have taken 1 second to flash the count to him.

Amen. Had something similar happen, he had 2-0 and I had 2-1. He missed the strike a pitch ago on the steal to 2B. I wanted to or even but ended up mentally .