Stopwatches?? Who uses them?
 

Was wondering what standard operating procedure was in everyone's area regarding stop watches. I've done timed games, and typically the base umpire will have a stop watch in his pocket. It is never used to time warm-ups.

I decided one game to try to time warm-up pitches. The PU looked at me like I was crazy...

Typically here in NC its 5 or 8 prepatory pitches (assuming everyone comes out of the dugout in a timely manner). But most rule sets also stipulate no longer than one minute. At home, it's the same procedure (no stop watch), but I've seen more PU umpires in CT use that minute "discretion" and cut pitchers at around 3 or 4 pitches.

Do any areas actually use the BU and a stopwatch to signal in to PU? Or is it considered OOO.

the minors carry stopwatches for curfews (which are typically waived,) between games of a double header, and in case of a stop in action like rain, lights, streaker...you know, things like that.

Same thing here. We only use a watch for curfew and time limit games (Weekend tournaments). Everyone pretty much subscribes to letting things be so long as the teams hustle and make a reasonable effort.

As an evaluator I use a watch as a tool to see how the the crew is doing with pace of game.

I do admit to using a stop watch to teach a certain problem manager a much needed lesson in manners ....

It's used all the time in Little League at tournament time in my parts. It's a simple point by a BU to the PU, to use as reference. When you're rolling with four man crews on a 60' field, U3 needs something to do. Not a big deal.

I have never used a stop watch. But I keep a small ladies timex in my ball bag and I like to sneak a peak around the top of the 5th to see how the time is going by, although I generally have a pretty good idea. I don't work many time limit games but if I do the same little timex will tell me when time is up and it's my job to administer this rule when it exists.

On bases, I don't carry the timex and don't keep track of time at all, for any reason.

Virtually all of the sub high school ball we do has a time limit. All of us have a watch or some other timing device in our pocket or ball bag. Since I have to carry my phone at all times (real job) I just use the timer on my phone. No, I do not take calls during games.

Obviously for time limit games, a watch is neccessary.

I was more curious to see if anybody used them for tracking warm-ups.

bobbyanaduck - so in the minors PU just uses a feel as to when the game should begin? Or does he always allow the prepatory pitches?

What about minor league games that are on the radio? Doesn't there need to be some sort of set rule so they can cut off their commercials? (or is it up to the media to get back to the game whenever the U starts it).

Just asking... curiously awaiting your answer.

Only MLB uses a stop watch to time between innings at this point. Simply not enough $$$ in MiLB TV/Radio rights to worry about it.

Now with AAA supervised by MLB staff, it could happen for training purposes, though I would not expect that any time soon.

I haven't used a stopwatch to time the warm up pitches. I do count the pitches and at 4 pitches I will ask the kid if he's ready. Half the time he will say yes the other half he will ask for two more. Which I happily give. I try my best to shave off a few seconds where I can to keep the game moving. Other times when I have a pitcher who is really moving I will ask the pitcher as he comes out how many warm ups do you need. You'd be amazed how many will say give me 3 or 4. Yes, I will aslo do this as the BU if I have a partner who doesn't have good game management skills. I think players, coaches and spectators appreciate keeping the game moving.

In college games if the weather looks iffy I will take a watch in case we have a rain delay - you'd be surprised at how many coaches don't know how long "30 minutes from the last visible lightening" is. When it stops they want to get going right away, and some have to be reminded of the NCAA rule with a visual aid. That's when I pull out my watch.

JJ

You mean you don't use a sun dial, John? ;)

I see you take your moniker seriously.

~Sigh~
 

" . . . will aslo do this as the BU if I have a partner who doesn't have good game management skills."

Let me quote the Oregon Athletic Officials Association "2008 Two Umpire Mechanics Training Manual":

"As plate umpire your OWN the pitcher and catcher . . . you are the only umpire that manages that portion of the game."

And then we continue in another section:

"As Base Umpire keep AWAY from the mound . . . the plate umpire OWNS and MANAGES both the pitcher and catcher . . . all you should worry about with a pitcher is balks and illegal pitches."

If you EVER inserted yourself as you have stated above you would not only be "dinged" on your evaluation you would most likely be assigned to frosh games.

Regards,

Indeed, Tee. Even when I've been the crew chief working the bases with a rookie or a young guy behind the plate, I've never injected myself into what I've always considered areas under the plate guy's purview, and that includes the tempo of the game and everything related to it; and if I've got the dish and one of my base partners sticks his nose into something for which I'm responsible, he gets a polite tongue-lashing from me after the game.

minor league umpires use stopwatches for pace of game, they allow 2 to 2:20 between innings.

last year in the league that i worked we could not start an inning before 2 minutes because of radio and or local tv

Tim, I find this interesting. I imagine your organization must have better training in game management than around here. Unfortunately, I've had the mis-fortune a number of times of working with partners behind the plate that allows the teams do as they like b/t half innings where it feels like 2-3 minutes if not more, this adds up to a game being much longer than necessary. Your org would let the BU(s) dye out there in this situation, that would make me more frustrated knowing I cant do anything about it.

I try to be sublte when doing this. When I feel its getting close to a min I jog back to A. I'll wait a bit, then if it they're still warming up and my partner has't done anything, I'll move up the line a bit and give he pitcher a little 'okay, lets get this game going.' It usually works well. Then usually b/t the next half innings I would try to get together with my partner and ask them to keep the game moving.

As for being asigned frosh (I assume JV) games. This is where I typically have this issue when they assign the younger guys with the geezers to help them break through.

BTW do you have a PDF of the training manual I would like to check it out?

Cheers

"BTW do you have a PDF of the training manual I would like to check it out?"

Since the manual is 133 pages it is a little large for a PDF e-mail.

Regards,

WinRar it then attach it. That will work fine.

Reminds me of the summer game when the batter came up to bat wearing his watch. I asked him to take it off and he said, "I'm timing myself around the bases". The catcher then said, "You need a calendar for that". :D

JJ

Game Timing
 

We use the stopwatch as a tool to measure our game management skills in the college game. It is also to track the time a game is delayed by weather issues. However the main reason for keeping the game time usually has to do with which Crew member gets his plate job finished first.

What leagues please ?

You carry your phone at all times due to real job, but you do not take calls during games... Your job requires you to carry a phone, but not answer it? Uh, I confused?

For timed games I use the Honig K45 lec tronic indicator.

Hint though; don't use the timer, 1.) cause at about the 3 minute mark it'll start giving one minute warning beeps and then, when times up holy stuff! I thought it was a fire alarm and nearly cleared the stands, luckily no one was hurt. 2. I inadvertently turned it off once, good thing it has a clock.
It's fine, but no noise.

Summer collegiate ball, had us give em a 1:30, prior to pitcher warms ups, then a minute or 8, we made it 8 if they wanted em. For radio, and rolling of dice, shooting shirts, raffles etc..good stuff. Ya didn't want balls flying around with kids, seniors and the like out there anyway. Covered in pre-game, no problems.

Northwoods, an independent league is not part of professional Minor League Baseball. Whatever they do is not necessarily reflective of the "minor leagues."

Northwoods is not affiliated with MLB...one might think of them as a league slightly more profitable than the XFL.

the northwoods league is completely independent of milb and mlb i was just stating that in the northwoods league we use stopwatches to allow for radio and sometimes local tv. i do however know several minor league umpires and they use stopwatches to get innings started after 2 minutes

I had one of those Honigs indicators, with the clock built in, and used it to prank a not so bright catcher. While reseting in between innings, this dull F2 asked me what it was. I told him it was a new radar strike indicator. If it beeps, it's a strike. SOOOOO, during the ensuing inning, I pressed a button and made it BEEP for every strike. Sure enough, on a close one that I called a ball the manager blurted out something, and my new best friend said back "Coach, it didn't beep, so it wasn't a strike". Classic.

If a server crashes or another problem occurs I'm notified automatically or otherwise by text. If necessary I can then take steps to get the problem fixed. Usually this can be done via a quick text to a subordinate. I work in the payment processing industry and in this situation I'm in charge and the buck stops with me. If things don't get back up quickly then the commerce of our clients grinds to a halt.

It is possible that sometime I'll get a call but this hasn't happened. Also the texts rarely come. I think I got one last season. That doesn't change the fact that I must carry my phone just in case.

It's good to see that fantasy is still trying its best to pass for reality! :eek:

Countdown timer is my stopwatch.