Worked the Plate without an Indicator today.

[nickrego]

Last year I worked with an umpire, a good one, who did not use an Indicator at the plate, or anywhere else. I have read a few posts and articles on the subject, and have been wanting to try it.

Well, today the perfect opportunity to try it came up. I was scheduled to work a 9 inning adult league game. The home team was 3 players short, so we had a forfeit. The two managers approached us and asked if we would work a 6 inning scrimmage, if the visitors loaned the home team a few players, since we had already been paid for the forfeit. My partner and I agreed.

Since this was just a practice scrimmage, it was very low key, and everyone was having fun. I decided this was about the best time to work without an Indicator.

Wow ! What a difference it makes to be out there naked (no Indicator), and without a scoreboard.

At first, I felt very apprehensive. Nervous about losing the count or outs. I realized just how dependent I had become on that Indicator. I work very hard not to 'live' in my Indicator, but it was always there if I needed it.

First, it really felt weird to not have anything in my left hand. But at the same time, I felt much more balanced. I use the GD stance, so both hands rested on my upper knee the same (very nice). Taking my helmet off was noticeably easier also. Not that it's hard with an Indicator, second nature, but noticeably more comfortable to have your palm touching the cage without worrying about your Indicator slipping out.

I did lose the count twice, early on. One batter had to take 5 balls before he got 1st base. Another got punched out with 2 strikes. Because it was a scrimmage, and everybody was pretty much joking around the whole game, it got laughs instead of jeers. I think the lost counts happened for several reasons;

First, I could not press my left thumb hard against the strike wheel of my indicator when the batters had 2 strikes, or my index finger on the ball wheel, when they had 3 balls. That is a mechanic I adopted early on to help me remember there were 2 strikes, or 3 balls on a batter. So instead, I started digging my left thumb into my leg for 2 strikes, and my right thumb for 3 balls. Worked very nicely.

Second, both of these count loses came after extended action on pitches. One was after multiple pick attempts by the pitcher, and the other was after a passed ball that resulted in several attempted plays on runners. As I look back on previous games using my Indicator, that is when I remember going to my Indicator the most, was after such plays.

Lastly, early on, I felt myself spending too many mental resources focusing on the fact that I didn't have an Indicator in my hand. Once I got over that, I did a much better job of keeping track of everything.

In conclusion, I'd have to say it was a very positive experience. I felt my focus on the information I needed to remember throughout the game was better. But my jury is still out as to whether I am going to discontinue using an Indicator. I have three days to decide, before my next game.

[DownTownTonyBrown]

Nice job, Nick.

Get rid of that crutch. I find that I remember specifically the locations of the pitches a batter receives .... and I no longer get confused by forgetting those pitches and then relying upon whether or not I clicked that passed ball onto my idiotclickercounterthingamobob.

Between pitches I will ring the count up on my fingers to keep it fresh in my mind and it is only when caught off guard that I have to go back and revisit the pitch locations to decide the count.

I might have a couple left in my bag but the others I have given away.

[mick]

Originally Posted by nickrego

I started digging my left thumb into my leg for 2 strikes, and my right thumb for 3 balls. Worked very nicely.

Nice goin', Nick.
Dunno if I'll ever be able to do that.
But I have a question. Why Left thumb for Strikes and Right thumb for balls?
mick

[BigUmp56]

I think you should have stuck to using your left thumb when you went digging for balls, Nick. Although I wouldn't suggest leaving that left hand in your pocket very long!


Sorry, I couldn't resist............


LOL

Tim.

[JRutledge]

What is the big freakin deal? If you want to use an indicator use the indicator. If you do not want to use the indicator, do not use the indicator. This to me is about as silly an issue as if you wear a mask or not. I do not see how this is going to help anyone or hurt anyone to call balls and strikes which ultimately is what we are out there to do.

Peace

[mcrowder]

JR - what's wrong with hearing an actual story about a fellow umpire's experiences when trying to experiment with this? What in the world could have possibly made you so bitter about this thread? Good grief.

[JRutledge]

I did not say there was anything wrong with it. I just wonder why we are so obsessed of someone uses an indicator or not. Someone that would come to this board that is either new or not a baseball umpire would think that an indicator is the reason we can do our jobs or not. If you want to talk about it that is your right and it is Nick's right to tell the story. I just do not see why it really matters one way or the other if someone makes a personal decision. Now are we going to debate what type of cup we use?

Peace

[mick]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

What is the big freakin deal? If you want to use an indicator use the indicator. If you do not want to use the indicator, do not use the indicator. This to me is about as silly an issue as if you wear a mask or not. I do not see how this is going to help anyone or hurt anyone to call balls and strikes which ultimately is what we are out there to do.

Peace

Need a hug today, Rut?
mick

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by mick

Need a hug today, Rut?
mick

Do you need one.

Peace

[PWL]

At least carry an indicator with you. It might come in handy. Take a ball on the hand and you might not be using that method. I will put mine in my pocket on those rare occassions the scoreboard operator is on top of things. I also signal the count more often as a personal reminder.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

What is the big freakin deal? If you want to use an indicator use the indicator. If you do not want to use the indicator, do not use the indicator. This to me is about as silly an issue as if you wear a mask or not. I do not see how this is going to help anyone or hurt anyone to call balls and strikes which ultimately is what we are out there to do.

Peace

Jeff:

Can't you be objective enough to see at least see a perceived hostility in your post?

I do think you're wrong in that if an umpire has the focus to go through a game without an indicator he will benefit on his focus on tracking pitches.

Is is a significant improvement? Probably not. Is it worth discussing from time to time? Absolutely.


Tim.

[RPatrino]

You might recall several long, involved threads started by a dufus ( who is no longer with us) who thought it would be interesting to talk about every item in his equipment bag, including his cup!!

Bob P.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Jeff:

Can't you be objective enough to see at least see a perceived hostility in your post?

If there is hostility perceived, then that is the problem of people like you that want to always find conflict in a person's statement. You cannot see my expressions as I ask this question or know my character as to why I am asking the question in the first place. I also told you there was nothing more than me asking a question and you once again are trying to convince yourself of the motive.

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I do think you're wrong in that if an umpire has the focus to go through a game without an indicator he will benefit on his focus on tracking pitches.

Who said there was anything wrong with that? Once again focus on the question that was asked. Is there a problem if someone wants to use and indicator or decides not to use an indicator? What difference should it make to any of us if the particular umpire gets their job done appropriately?

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Is is a significant improvement? Probably not. Is it worth discussing from time to time? Absolutely.

I did not ask if there was improvement, I asked if there was a problem if an umpire chooses to use an indicator or not? If there is a problem, why is it a problem? If it is a problem to you, should it be a problem if they personally decide to do what works for them? I also did not ask if the question was able to be discussed or not. Of course it has been discussed. Just do a search and you will get some indication how much it has been discussed.

Peace

[nickrego]

Originally Posted by mick

Nice goin', Nick.
Dunno if I'll ever be able to do that.
But I have a question. Why Left thumb for Strikes and Right thumb for balls?
mick

Only because I was used to using my Left Thumb on the Strike Wheel. I added the Right Thumb for balls because it was the only thumb I had left.

I decided on this new mechanic on the fly out of desperation (the mother of all invention). It worked, I just hope I don't cut off the circulation in both my legs on a 3-2 count !

[mick]

Originally Posted by nickrego

Only because I was used to using my Left Thumb on the Strike Wheel. I added the Right Thumb for balls because it was the only thumb I had left.

I decided on this new mechanic on the fly out of desperation (the mother of all invention). It worked, I just hope I don't cut off the circulation in both my legs on a 3-2 count !

Good one !