Signs,Signs,Signs......

[Rich]

I worked a game with a broken scoreboard earlier this season. Made me realize how little I normally give the count. If the scoreboard's right, I rarely give it at all.

[jTheUmp]

Originally Posted by Rich

I worked a game with a broken scoreboard earlier this season. Made me realize how little I normally give the count. If the scoreboard's right, I rarely give it at all.

On the other hand, my first game last week had a scoreboard operator that couldn't keep the count straight to save her life... I think I had to correct the count about 30 times.

And she was sitting just behind the backstop, literally less than 10 feet away from me.

So, now that I think about it... I give the count:
a) if there's no scoreboard: every 2-3 pitches and/or after something unusual (stolen base, coaches conference, wild pitch, etc)
b) If there's a count displayed on the scoreboard: only if the count displayed is incorrect.

As for other signs... I give them before the beginning of each at-bat, mainly for my own reminder.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

On the other hand, my first game last week had a scoreboard operator that couldn't keep the count straight to save her life... I think I had to correct the count about 30 times.

That's way too many times to be wrong. If she can't keep it right, turn it off.

[umpjim]

Originally Posted by Rich

I worked a game with a broken scoreboard earlier this season. Made me realize how little I normally give the count. If the scoreboard's right, I rarely give it at all.

With a perfectly accurate scoreboard I think I would always give the count to my crew on an action pitch.

[CT1]

Our state asks us to show & announce the count on pitches 3 & 5. Personally, I let the batter & catcher know on every pitch after that.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by umpjim

With a perfectly accurate scoreboard I think I would always give the count to my crew on an action pitch.

I'm pretty fortunate to work mainly with top notch umpires. We don't give a lot of signals, we don't flash the count often with a working scoreboard. We just umpire.

[charliej47]

I was PU on a varsity game and my partner would flash every signal I showed.

After the game, I asked him why and he said "I'm supposed to repeat back to you." I tried to explain that he did not need to repeat balls and strikes but only the "time" plays and IF signals.

He would not listen.