Let's see your indicator

[BLWizzRanger]

10 minutes ago, orangebird said:

Where did you get this and what does the A-D buttons do? 

It has GPS and lets you know where the BU should be.

 

11 minutes ago, Richvee said:

Is that a little TV screen for video review. 🤪

Yeah, that's all Clarence Callsafew needs while on the bases.... a screen to watch youtube videos.

[834k3r]

12 hours ago, BLWizzRanger said:

Yeah, that's all Clarence Callsafew needs while on the bases.... a screen to watch youtube videos.

Clarence also need to know the day of the week to see which days he has a doubleheader so he knows which days to be late.

[Thatsnotyou]

I had one like that maybe 15-20 years ago. Probably got it from Honig’s at that point. The timer was useful for tournaments. 

[The Man in Blue]

On 3/20/2025 at 9:19 PM, BLWizzRanger said:

It has GPS and lets you know where the BU should be.

I was going to say the same thing!

With the emphasis on the time element coming more and more into the game, I have been thinking there is a market for something like that.  I just have no technical know-how to make it happen.

[orangebird]

6 minutes ago, The Man in Blue said:

I was going to say the same thing!

With the emphasis on the time element coming more and more into the game, I have been thinking there is a market for something like that.  I just have no technical know-how to make it happen.

Taking the straps off a watch and using some glue could do the job lol

Also I've wanted to use this little emoji since I learnt it existed...so... 

[834k3r]

16 hours ago, orangebird said:

Taking the straps off a watch and using some glue could do the job lol

Also I've wanted to use this little emoji since I learnt it existed...so... 

[AL-Ump]

On 3/18/2025 at 9:05 PM, SeeingEyeDog said:

Would like to once again take this opportunity to state if anyone locates a metal indicator, 4-wheel with balls, then strikes, please post a link. I will buy one for you if you wish for your trouble...

~Dawg

https://baseball.epicsports.com/prod/10485/markwort-aluminum-4-dial-baseball-umpire-indicator.html

Found it.  It's 4/3/3 though.....

[conbo61]

https://www.ump-attire.com/Products/A038P/Champro-4-Dial-Optic-Yellow-Steel-Umpire-Indicator-3-2-2-Count

 

Found the optic yellow easier to see in all conditions.  Used to have the plastic model, but the recess made the numbers difficult to see at night.

[J.D.Blue]

On 3/18/2025 at 7:05 PM, SeeingEyeDog said:

Would like to once again take this opportunity to state if anyone locates a metal indicator, 4-wheel with balls, then strikes, please post a link. I will buy one for you if you wish for your trouble...

~Dawg

Was just browsing for info on notching indicator dials and saw your info request.  If you're still in the market, there's a company selling call-order metal 3-2-2 indicators on Amazon: Team3  Pricier than the plastic ones ($20) but feels good in the hand and has a non-reflective gun metal coating.

I've purchased two so far.  

Pros: Non-reflective coating, 3-2-2 dials, call-order, fits the hand well

Cons: Dials are a bit "rattly" and after 2 seasons the rivets on my first one started to wear down and the frame is coming apart. Also after 1 season the coating is wearing off due to being handled so much.  (would love to find a powder-coated aluminum one that could be taken apart and cleaned)

Hope this helps!

https://www.amazon.com/Team-3-Umpire-Indicator/dp/B0BNLR4ZXG/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.y2HNQ8Ltrh6_pKT9OvCIh0EGRoqbVvvGwk-Ec4CE-MKKBqe99x0mAef6l-hr1sr3QHYi_U4Ag_z_7BN7l81AWXEFv8hW0veaGLI5ayKut6GCIVFFU4gE-cn-_ZALuGLL3e-CqetvfgBFUJWnHV__leTZXBxpQjzGWKPsy-6vYbNcI9Udsy8OxHGIUl_QxqYHjZm59PXd4YYkc5H-tA2HHAsfR5R95j-aJjpyLhO4gRc.PQMMsCLz_vt3FVszoaz_QmoXS72S_5BSfh8D26WTkmM&dib_tag=se&keywords=Team3&qid=1744915255&sr=8-2

[NineStrikes]

On 4/17/2025 at 12:48 PM, J.D.Blue said:

Was just browsing for info on notching indicator dials and saw your info request.  If you're still in the market, there's a company selling call-order metal 3-2-2 indicators on Amazon: Team3  Pricier than the plastic ones ($20) but feels good in the hand and has a non-reflective gun metal coating.

I've purchased two so far.  

Pros: Non-reflective coating, 3-2-2 dials, call-order, fits the hand well

Cons: Dials are a bit "rattly" and after 2 seasons the rivets on my first one started to wear down and the frame is coming apart. Also after 1 season the coating is wearing off due to being handled so much.  (would love to find a powder-coated aluminum one that could be taken apart and cleaned)

Hope this helps!

https://www.amazon.com/Team-3-Umpire-Indicator/dp/B0BNLR4ZXG/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.y2HNQ8Ltrh6_pKT9OvCIh0EGRoqbVvvGwk-Ec4CE-MKKBqe99x0mAef6l-hr1sr3QHYi_U4Ag_z_7BN7l81AWXEFv8hW0veaGLI5ayKut6GCIVFFU4gE-cn-_ZALuGLL3e-CqetvfgBFUJWnHV__leTZXBxpQjzGWKPsy-6vYbNcI9Udsy8OxHGIUl_QxqYHjZm59PXd4YYkc5H-tA2HHAsfR5R95j-aJjpyLhO4gRc.PQMMsCLz_vt3FVszoaz_QmoXS72S_5BSfh8D26WTkmM&dib_tag=se&keywords=Team3&qid=1744915255&sr=8-2

I have this also. I only use ball first indicators, got this one, and it seemed to very quickly go 'loose', or spinny. So I purchased another, and had the same result. I went back to the champion ball first. I've actually been wrestling with the idea of football down indicators, just because I'm annoyed at indicators these days.

[J.D.Blue]

I've been contemplating 3D printing dials for my Markwort cast aluminum indicator, which is a very solid build and is ball-strike call order, but alas, has the counts as 4-3-3 which I can't abide.

I'll post here if I have success in my quest.  I'll also be coating the cast aluminum in some matte automotive paint to reduce reflection

[The Man in Blue]

If you are spending $20 on an indicator, just get the All Star already!  
 

Proud of myself … have been working sans indicator on the bases lately.  😁

[BLWizzRanger]

If you are spending $20 on an indicator, just get the All Star already!  
 
Proud of myself … have been working sans indicator on the bases lately.  

Started using your toes?

Sent from my SM-F721U1 using Tapatalk

[The Man in Blue]

Haven’t you seen the shiny new umpire sandals from Japan?

[dumbdumb]

waiting to see this one by a famous individual

https://patents.justia.com/patent/7967188

 

[jimurrayalterego]

5 hours ago, dumbdumb said:

waiting to see this one by a famous individual

https://patents.justia.com/patent/7967188

 

I guess UDC did not patent their notches.

[dumbdumb]

but this is the one i really want - read and then enjoy the picture

https://baseballhall.org/discover-more/news/steve-rippley-touches-home

 

 

[Velho]

6 minutes ago, dumbdumb said:

but this is the one i really want - read and then enjoy the picture

Nice!

[The Man in Blue]

Hey!

[The Man in Blue]

What is this monstrosity?

 

I guess it does have the ball-strike order so many of you want.

 

[BLWizzRanger]

13 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

What is this monstrosity?

 

I guess it does have the ball-strike order so many of you want.

 

This screws with your notch'ing, doesn't it?

[Llenar13]

I personally prefer using elastic hair ties for my indicators. I'll link three of them together, the middle band goes around my wrist, the one closest to my thumb I use for balls and the one closest to my pinky finger I'll use to keep track of strikes. Conveniently, there are five digits on the human hand - thumb, index, & middle fingers for balls and pinky & ring fingers for strikes. After each pitch I'll quickly snap one of the bands over the next finger. For example, say the count is 1 and 2, I'll have a band around my thumb and the other around my ring finger. Say the next pitch is a ball, I quickly slide the band from the thumb over to the index finger. 

I find this method to be superior to any indicator for several reasons:

·It frees up a hand that would be holding an indicator. 

·You never have to worry about dropping it or fumbling around in your ball bag for the indicator.

·You never have to look down and take your eyes off the action because you can just feel which fingers the bands are on and know the count. 

·They are very inexpensive and are readily available to purchase at virtually any store (as opposed to an indicator which can only be purchased from sporting goods retailers). 

·They are far less cumbersome, taking up practically no space.

·There is no chance of errant clicks on dials.

On the opposing wrist I'll use two bands tied together to keep track of the outs.

It may take you a game or two to get used to them, but once it becomes second-nature, the functionality, convenience, speed, ergonomics, and overall performance is better than the indicator in every facet. I make sure to keep a backup set in my ball bag in case one of the bands breaks but I haven't had any break before.

I'm not trying to knock traditional indicators. They have been the universally accepted standard piece of umpire equipment since far before I was around and they have stood the test of time to this day. They work fine.  However, after using this method, I'll never go back to using an indicator myself. Give them a try.

[wolfe_man]

...

[TheLovejoy]

9 hours ago, Llenar13 said:

I personally prefer using elastic hair ties for my indicators. I'll link three of them together, the middle band goes around my wrist, the one closest to my thumb I use for balls and the one closest to my pinky finger I'll use to keep track of strikes. Conveniently, there are five digits on the human hand - thumb, index, & middle fingers for balls and pinky & ring fingers for strikes. After each pitch I'll quickly snap one of the bands over the next finger. For example, say the count is 1 and 2, I'll have a band around my thumb and the other around my ring finger. Say the next pitch is a ball, I quickly slide the band from the thumb over to the index finger. 

I find this method to be superior to any indicator for several reasons:

·It frees up a hand that would be holding an indicator. 

·You never have to worry about dropping it or fumbling around in your ball bag for the indicator.

·You never have to look down and take your eyes off the action because you can just feel which fingers the bands are on and know the count. 

·They are very inexpensive and are readily available to purchase at virtually any store (as opposed to an indicator which can only be purchased from sporting goods retailers). 

·They are far less cumbersome, taking up practically no space.

·There is no chance of errant clicks on dials.

On the opposing wrist I'll use two bands tied together to keep track of the outs.

It may take you a game or two to get used to them, but once it becomes second-nature, the functionality, convenience, speed, ergonomics, and overall performance is better than the indicator in every facet. I make sure to keep a backup set in my ball bag in case one of the bands breaks but I haven't had any break before.

I'm not trying to knock traditional indicators. They have been the universally accepted standard piece of umpire equipment since far before I was around and they have stood the test of time to this day. They work fine.  However, after using this method, I'll never go back to using an indicator myself. Give them a try.

I've been using Football Down indicators for a few years now. Same thing, except I won't end up as a red dot on a map if I hang out too long in the little girls section trying to decide between My Little Pony and Barbie hair ties, then asking store workers which one look better around my wrists. 

EDIT: No shade to good dads who shop for their girls. 

[The Man in Blue]

@wolfe_man . . . Admit it, you used that "kids in the outfield" system until the authorities showed up at your door following your second equipment clearance.  We told you selling the kids wasn't a good idea.