Indicator

[Blue 5]

So just a random wonder here. Why are the majority of indicators strike then ball? Not like call order indicators where balls, then strikes are displayed. I use a call order indicator and find it much easy and just one last thing to have to "think about" while in the game.
 
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[BLWizzRanger]

Because the thumb is used to say 'you're out of here' like a hitchhiker and the forefinger is used to point to first on a base on balls. The thumb corresponds to strikes; forefinger - balls.

Have no clue why they make them this way but I know I curse them at least twice a game because they do.



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[Blue 5]

Ha! That makes sense when you put it that way. But I'm a first year ump and found it puts me out of a "rhythm", for lack of better words, when I have to think about seeing it right on my indicator and calling it in "reverse order" of what my indicator shows.  

So, I switched to a call order indicator just to it one less thing I need to worry about. 

 

[Catch18]

Ha! That makes sense when you put it that way. But I'm a first year ump and found it puts me out of a "rhythm", for lack of better words, when I have to think about seeing it right on my indicator and calling it in "reverse order" of what my indicator shows.  
So, I switched to a call order indicator just to it one less thing I need to worry about. 
 

Just Google “balls on top.” You’ll find what you need.

[SeeingEyeDog]

I am still looking for a METAL call order indicator WITH notches on the wheels and an INNINGS wheel NOT a score wheel! If you find one, please post the link...and I will buy one for you, too!

~Dawg

[umpstu]

14 hours ago, Blue 5 said:

So just a random wonder here. Why are the majority of indicators strike then ball? Not like call order indicators where balls, then strikes are displayed. I use a call order indicator and find it much easy and just one last thing to have to "think about" while in the game.
 
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I can't remember using anything other than a call order indicator.  And the indicator I use only has 3 ball, 2 strikes and 2 outs.  Anything more it winds up on zero.  

[Simply The Best]

3 hours ago, umpstu said:

I can't remember using anything other than a call order indicator.  And the indicator I use only has 3 ball, 2 strikes and 2 outs.  Anything more it winds up on zero.  

Same here.

Pet peeve. Umps that constantly check their indicators sometimes after every pitch. Just notch the wheels or, at least, adjust your mask with your left hand and take a peek

[The Man in Blue]

36 minutes ago, Simply The Best said:

Same here.

Pet peeve. Umps that constantly check their indicators sometimes after every pitch. Just notch the wheels or, at least, adjust your mask with your left hand and take a peek

https://www.ump-attire.com/Products/UC5-BC/All-Star-4-Dial-Die-Cast-Steel-Umpire-Indicator-3-2-2-Count

Took some getting used to, but I LOVE this now.

Base coach asked me the count several times during a game.  Towards the end, he said, "I'm really impressed you never looked at your indicator and you were never wrong."  I won't tell him my secret if you won't.
 

There is a newer umpire around here I have worked with a few times and my biggest piece of feedback for him has been "stop looking at your indicator after every pitch."  It's not subtle.  It is call, look down.  Every time.  I pitched this indicator to him, but new guys aren't going to drop $20 on an indicator.  Heck. it took me years to be willing to do that!

[BLWizzRanger]

3 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

https://www.ump-attire.com/Products/UC5-BC/All-Star-4-Dial-Die-Cast-Steel-Umpire-Indicator-3-2-2-Count

Took some getting used to, but I LOVE this now.
 

There is a newer umpire around here I have worked with a few times and my biggest piece of feedback for him has been "stop looking at your indicator after every pitch."  It's not subtle.  It is call, look down.  Every time.  I pitched this indicator to him, but new guys aren't going to drop $20 on an indicator.  Heck. it took me years to be willing to do that!

I agree with everything here.  This is my second indicator after my first's numbers worn off.  So yeah, I didn't want to pay the $20 at first, but glad I did now.  I haven't notched my dials yet but I did paint the face of it black to reduce the glare.  Still hard to read at night but it is better than my first one.

[The Man in Blue]

36 minutes ago, BLWizzRanger said:

I agree with everything here.  This is my second indicator after my first's numbers worn off.  So yeah, I didn't want to pay the $20 at first, but glad I did now.  I haven't notched my dials yet but I did paint the face of it black to reduce the glare.  Still hard to read at night but it is better than my first one.

 Huh, what?

The dials are already notched ... although shaped is probably a better description.  The system they use takes some getting used to (I think it could be more intuitive), but they are already done.

Hard to read at night?  Why are you reading this indicator at all?!  😉

 

[Kevin_K]

Indicator? What is this item you all speak of?

[The Man in Blue]

Well, it's not a clicker ...

 

[BLWizzRanger]

21 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

 Huh, what?

The dials are already notched ... although shaped is probably a better description.  The system they use takes some getting used to (I think it could be more intuitive), but they are already done.

Hard to read at night?  Why are you reading this indicator at all?!  😉

 

Because it is easier than trying to read my toes?

[NateWalter]

They do, in fact, make them the other way around. I know this because I misplaced my indicator once and borrowed my partner's. His was reversed from mine and it was the worst game of my life.

[BLWizzRanger]

Yep, next time I am in the field and a kick one, I am going to blame the clicker.  😁

BTW, clicker in the infield, indicator behind the plate.

[834k3r]

On 4/1/2023 at 11:20 AM, SeeingEyeDog said:

I am still looking for a METAL call order indicator WITH notches on the wheels and an INNINGS wheel NOT a score wheel! If you find one, please post the link...and I will buy one for you, too!

~Dawg

This is the one I use and I love it. I haven't had to look at the indicator for several games.

https://www.ump-attire.com/Products/UC5-BC/All-Star-4-Dial-Die-Cast-Steel-Umpire-Indicator-3-2-2-Count

It's pricey, but the wheels are servicable (I take it apart and spray some dry lube on the posts every off season).

Man In Blue beat me to it.

Edited April 3, 2023 by 834k3r

[The Man in Blue]

10 hours ago, BLWizzRanger said:

Yep, next time I am in the field and a kick one, I am going to blame the clicker.  😁

BTW, clicker in the infield, indicator behind the plate.

 

OK ... now THAT is something I have never heard before.  I've heard a lot of the debate, but never that.  Please elaborate.

[The Man in Blue]

10 hours ago, 834k3r said:

This is the one I use and I love it. I haven't had to look at the indicator for several games.

https://www.ump-attire.com/Products/UC5-BC/All-Star-4-Dial-Die-Cast-Steel-Umpire-Indicator-3-2-2-Count

It's pricey, but the wheels are servicable (I take it apart and spray some dry lube on the posts every off season).

Man In Blue beat me to it.

 

Now if somebody would just take me apart and lube my parts in the off season ... 😉

[BLWizzRanger]

1 hour ago, The Man in Blue said:

 

OK ... now THAT is something I have never heard before.  I've heard a lot of the debate, but never that.  Please elaborate.

IDK, other than me just being an ass here, if it is wrong for the BU to use it and it is wrong to call it a clicker, than....

[834k3r]

14 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

 

Now if somebody would just take me apart and lube my parts in the off season ... 😉

I feel seen.

[mac266]

Dunno, but I don't use them.  We read left to right, top down.  So my indicator, which only has three dials, reads top down -- ball, strike, out--because that's how we give the count and I don't want to have to read the numbers backwards.

[tcasterlin]

Not to be contrarian here, but in my humble opinion, if you need to look at your indicator, look at your indicator.  If you need it in the field, use one in the field.  I personally don't care what it looks like if I have the correct count and number of outs.