What counts/situations do you give the count?

[SeeingEyeDog]

I've seen guys only give the count when asked. I've seen guys give the count before every pitch.

I personally give the count at 0-2, 1-2, 3-2, 3-0, after a stolen base or failed stolen base or coming out of any dead ball situation. If it's repeated foul balls, I will display the count before every pitch but, only verbalize every other pitch...thoughts, brothers?

~Dawg

[Velho]

I will say the count to the batter and catcher every time I don't put up the count for everyone. I do it starting 2 strike of 3 balls and then the rest of the AB. Probably overkill but I believe in overcommunication (and am bad at it the rest of my day so try and balance it out here  ). I also do it after a kerfuffle (WP or multi SB craziness or a SB on a called strike).

Context though, I do LL Majors/12U and AAA/10U 99% of the time so am working with many in the game who don't know what they are doing and/or don't care to learn.

[834k3r]

I give the count (verbally and signaling) after the first two pitches, whenever there's a potential for a BB/K, before putting the ball back in play, or after an extended play (or kerfuffle as @Velho said). If anyone asks for the count (batter, F2, F1, HC) I'll say it loudly enough for everyone.

[wolfe_man]

I verbally give the count after the 1st two pitches, then repeat on any pitch that can be strike 3 or ball 4.  I try to signal on these as well.  

I also give count every time that a new baseball is put into play.  If they keep fouling them off, I may remind only the batter and F2 where we're at so there are no surprises.

I agree with @Velho and prefer to over-communicate to avoid sticky situations.

[ArchAngel72]

With the exception of the 1st pitch to any batter who is new at the plate, Any time I put the ball back in play. the 3rd pitch 1-2 or 2-1,  2-2 ( cause I like the way I sound 🤣 ), 3-0, 0-2 and 3-2.

 

To note I do 8-10U LL and 10-12U LL with some 13U and BabeRuth tossed in there also 11U AAU as of this year..

 

 

[MadMax]

3-0, 2-1, 1-2, 3-2 

Any/all times there’s a change-of-status on the bases. 

• Runner successfully steals
• Runner is caught stealing
• Runner advances on a bad pickoff attempt
• Runner is retired on a pickoff
• After a Balk
• A substitution is made (unless new batter)

Now with the pitch clock in (most) baseball I do, after any violation and penalty. 

As partners and evaluators have pointed out, I’m remarkably and reliably consistent about it. 

Now, according to one… nitpicker… I give the count too much. “If you’re in a ballpark with a scoreboard, you don’t have to. 3-2… that’s what XXXX (our boss) says to do.” 
🤨 <twitch> 🤨

[Velho]

11 minutes ago, MadMax said:

Now, according to one… nitpicker… I give the count too much. “If you’re in a ballpark with a scoreboard, you don’t have to. 3-2… that’s what XXXX (our boss) says to do.” 
🤨 <twitch> 🤨

I gave a local LL UIC I worked with feedback post game on doing the count more and louder (I could barely hear him as BU on the small field). He said he only does it for the benefit of the pitcher so didn't see the need. 🤷‍♂️

[TheRockawayKid]

2 hours ago, MadMax said:

3-0, 2-1, 1-2, 3-2 

Any/all times there’s a change-of-status on the bases. 

• Runner successfully steals
• Runner is caught stealing
• Runner advances on a bad pickoff attempt
• Runner is retired on a pickoff
• After a Balk
• A substitution is made (unless new batter)

Now with the pitch clock in (most) baseball I do, after any violation and penalty. 

As partners and evaluators have pointed out, I’m remarkably and reliably consistent about it. 

Now, according to one… nitpicker… I give the count too much. “If you’re in a ballpark with a scoreboard, you don’t have to. 3-2… that’s what XXXX (our boss) says to do.” 
🤨 <twitch> 🤨

Hah! There are so many permutations as to when to give the count, that I've found it's easier to just give the count after every pitch (except for the first).

If you're going off "decision pitches," the only time you don't have a decision pitch after the second pitch is a 2-1 count. At that point, may as well just say it. 

Besides, no matter how many times you give the count, you know the third base coach is going to ask the count anyway. 

And as for assignors -- one assignor said he didn't care if I gave the count every pitch -- better too often than too little. 

[kylehutson]

I signal before each pitch, but don't verbalize. I only verbalize if the scoreboard is wrong, and then only loud enough for the catcher and batter.

[MadMax]

13 hours ago, TheRockawayKid said:

There are so many permutations as to when to give the count, that I've found it's easier to just give the count after every pitch (except for the first).

But why not the first? Isn’t it just as important as any other pitch?  
Seriously, do whatever combination you want, or is effective for you. 

13 hours ago, TheRockawayKid said:

If you're going off "decision pitches," the only time you don't have a decision pitch after the second pitch is a 2-1 count. At that point, may as well just say it. 

I’m not. A former MLBU identified it…
“You don’t use an indicator, do you.”
“No, I do not (and I haven’t for now 9 years).”
“How do you manage it?”
“Mnemonic snapshots. Mental mile markers, if you will.”
“Oh, that’s why you give the count (on the combinations) the way you do. Tell you what, keep at it, just shorten it. You don’t need the ‘balls’ and ‘strikes’ parts. Just the numbers.” 

So that’s what I do, I give the count, and I look at my hands. New snapshot. 

13 hours ago, TheRockawayKid said:

Besides, no matter how many times you give the count, you know the third base coach is going to ask the count anyway. 

In that case, I either just say it, flash it to him with the ol’ fingers without saying anything, or let his own batter tell him. 

13 hours ago, TheRockawayKid said:

And as for assignors -- one assignor said he didn't care if I gave the count every pitch -- better too often than too little. 

Any assigner who would weigh in and assess how and when I give the count won’t have any affect on me. At this point in my career, they’re hiring or assigning me based on my body of work regarding situation handling, Rules knowledge & application, discernment, and game management. 
That nitpicker I mentioned is just that – a nitpicker who builds his own self-confidence and capability based on how he assesses and “evaluates” his partners… unwarranted. 

[concertman1971]

On 5/4/2023 at 5:18 PM, MadMax said:

3-0, 2-1, 1-2, 3-2 

Any/all times there’s a change-of-status on the bases. 

• Runner successfully steals
• Runner is caught stealing
• Runner advances on a bad pickoff attempt
• Runner is retired on a pickoff
• After a Balk
• A substitution is made (unless new batter)

Now with the pitch clock in (most) baseball I do, after any violation and penalty. 

As partners and evaluators have pointed out, I’m remarkably and reliably consistent about it. 

Now, according to one… nitpicker… I give the count too much. “If you’re in a ballpark with a scoreboard, you don’t have to. 3-2… that’s what XXXX (our boss) says to do.” 
🤨 <twitch> 🤨

Agree with all of the times you give the count, but add after a mound visit 

[eddieq]

Caveat:  I do a lot of youth FP girls (10/12/15).  I verbally will remind the batter/catcher each time.  I give the signal and "announce" the count at the second strike, third ball.  If we have a stealing/throw down/passed ball situation - once that is over, I will generally give a "last pitch was a [ball/strike] the count is now..." and go from there.  Also after a delay (like a mound visit, etc.) I will provide the count when we get ready to go again.

Probably not the prescribed mechanic, but it's what I do.  Never had a UIC or anyone in my leadership tell me to knock that off.