Coach can't have count indicator?

[ozzy6900]

Originally posted by Dave Hensley

Could you cite the rule you're referring to?

Thanks.

FED 3-3-1i is the appropriate rule.
3-3-1 A coach, player, substitutem, attendant or any other bench personnel shall not:

i - have any object in his posession in the coach's box other tnan a stop watch. rule book, scorebook, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or comparable electronic score-recording device which shall be used for scorekeeping purposes only.

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Notice that after it says PDA it says comparable electronic score-recording device. That does not include your standard issue indicator. So as I stated, in FED, if a coach is using an indicator in the coach's box, he is over the line by rule. But again, I'm not going to say anything as long as he doesn't use this device to argue. If the coach comes to me and questions whether it is ball 4 or not, as long as he doesn't refer to the indicator, he's okay (in my opinion).

A smart coach will keep the indicator out of sight but a problem may arise if the opposing coach sees it and makes a complaint. Then the coach will have to lose the indicator while he is in the coach's box.

As far as using an indicator in the dugout, what is the problem? Again, as long as they don't use the indicator to question or argue, there shouldn't be a problem.

I think that it is a coach's duty to know the count so he can direct his team. This also keeps him from constantly asking "What's the count, Blue?" after I've given the count verbally and on the hands (bozo's)!