Base ump showing count on chest.

[kylejt]

I'll only flash the count when requested by the PU (tapping his indicator), or if I think he may have lost it. Sometimes after a play at the plate, or a crazy foul ball, I'll see the PU look at his indicator with a puzzled look. That's when I'll give him the count, on the chest, balls over strikes.

I'll work LL games where every BU gives the count to the PU on every pitch. Rookie stuff. Only when needed guys.

[mbyron]

PU is responsible for keeping the count. No indicator on the bases, no flashing the count. Not BU's job.

[kylejt]

How about if requested? Would you just tell him it's not your job, or help him out? I don't roll with an indicator on the bases either, but I'd help if he needed it.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by kylejt

How about if requested? Would you just tell him it's not your job, or help him out? I don't roll with an indicator on the bases either, but I'd help if he needed it.

My partners never request it. It's covered in our pregame. If PU needs input on the count, he checks with the official book.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

My partners never request it. It's covered in our pregame. If PU needs input on the count, he checks with the official book.

Fair enough.

I occasionally work places where the book/and or scoreboard may not be too accurate. Sometimes in our pregames we'll go over these situation, and make sure everyone is on the same page. If the scoreboard is showing 3-1, and the PU's indicator says 2-1, but he just got clocked by a foul ball, he might go to me for a silent confirmation before he corrects the book. Happens all the time.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by kylejt

If the scoreboard is showing 3-1, and the PU's indicator says 2-1, but he just got clocked by a foul ball, he might go to me for a silent confirmation before he corrects the book. Happens all the time.

Are you saying that you consider the scoreboard and the book to be one and the same? I've never had a game in which the scoreboard was operated by the same person keeping the official book.

[eagle_12]

The only time that I show the count while BU is 3-2 2 out with a runner on base. I've picked this up from pro level umpies. I think it's just a way for all of us to know hey, runner might be/is moving on the pitch, and to hold your ground worry about the ball rather than the runner

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Are you saying that you consider the scoreboard and the book to be one and the same? I've never had a game in which the scoreboard was operated by the same person keeping the official book.

Then you have never umpired in San Diego, California, the cheapo capital of the United States.

We have the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines next month, and this city was too cheap to hire 24 hour security for the course, and it was badly vandalized last week. Totally stupid. It could only happen in America's Cheapest City (but not to live in, mind you...).