Base ump showing count on chest.

[LakeErieUmp]

Bob - said tongue in cheek. It's been a LONG running gag in here, cleaning bases and giving situations to the pitcher.

[bobbybanaduck]

Originally Posted by 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

PBUC has the guys showing 3-2 every time runners might be moving (i.e. R1; R1, R2; R1, R3 regardless of outs; or R1, R2 R3 2 outs. it shows up in the evals as part of communication.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by archangel

It seems that each has a different opinion on this type of "mechanic", not right or wrong.....Personally, since I rarely call time when: a player slides into a base and asks, .or I need to swipe the plate, ect, (all of which just lengthen the gametime),...I dont believe I'd follow Ozzy's style as both examples just prolong the game, and I dont have a problem w/ telling a player the count, and if the PU silently asks me, I will signal back. Not a big deal to me, and I think its "proper" to keep the game moving. But, to each, his own....

Reminds me of a time when I had a 2-2 count and my partner told an infielder it was 3-2 and he didn't bother to cover second on the stealing baserunner.

Two ejections later...

There's a REASON the base umpire doesn't answer the infield. It's because, right or wrong, the plate umpire has the official count.

That said, I will incorporate bobbybanaduck's suggestion into my game going forward.

[Chris_Hickman]

Like Bobby said..... I flash the count as well. I learned it from a AAA friend however one time I failed to tell my partner that I do that in our pregame and he was alittle pissed @ me after the game. He thought I looked like a LL ump. So I try to remember to cover in before my games. I like doing it... it kinda helps me "stay" in the game... a little.

[jkumpire]

I am sorry that I do not do things like you all do on this.

If I am on the bases, and I am asked the count by somebody, I will flash them a quick count.

If it is a runner on 2B or F4 or F6, if I am asked I will put my hands behind my back and put the count down so they can see it, but nobody in the stands. The higher level of Baseball I work, I don't need to do it, so I don't. But in HS or below, I would rather answer a kid's question than leave him hanging out to dry because he doesn't know the game situation. And yes, he should know the game situation without it. but, it is better to be helpful than not IMO.

I have never flashed a wrong count to kid who asks, but if I do and the fielder messes something up, then it isn't my fault he can't keep 4 balls/3strikes straight in his head.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by bobbybanaduck

PBUC has the guys showing 3-2 every time runners might be moving (i.e. R1; R1, R2; R1, R3 regardless of outs; or R1, R2 R3 2 outs. it shows up in the evals as part of communication.

That's when I tend to do it because it means the rotations might be different.

Originally Posted by jkumpire

I have never flashed a wrong count to kid who asks, but if I do and the fielder messes something up, then it isn't my fault he can't keep 4 balls/3strikes straight in his head.

Whose fault is it that you can't keep 4 balls/3 strikes straight in your head?

[garyevins]

BU should only show count when asked for by PU. PU should show count when count adds up to 3 or 5, or after the balls becomes dead and is put back in play.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

I am sorry that I do not do things like you all do on this.

If I am on the bases, and I am asked the count by somebody, I will flash them a quick count.

If it is a runner on 2B or F4 or F6, if I am asked I will put my hands behind my back and put the count down so they can see it, but nobody in the stands. The higher level of Baseball I work, I don't need to do it, so I don't. But in HS or below, I would rather answer a kid's question than leave him hanging out to dry because he doesn't know the game situation. And yes, he should know the game situation without it. but, it is better to be helpful than not IMO.

I have never flashed a wrong count to kid who asks, but if I do and the fielder messes something up, then it isn't my fault he can't keep 4 balls/3strikes straight in his head.

How hard would it be to say, "Hey partner, what's the count?"

Why the secrecy?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by garyevins

BU should only show count when asked for by PU. PU should show count when count adds up to 3 or 5, or after the balls becomes dead and is put back in play.

Why so rigid?

If I have a good scoreboard, I may rarely, if ever, give the count. If I have no scoreboard or one that has proven to be wrong often, I may give it often. Regardless, if I don't give it, it's not like it's my fault if they run at the wrong time or vice versa.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Chris_Hickman

Like Bobby said..... I flash the count as well. I learned it from a AAA friend however one time I failed to tell my partner that I do that in our pregame and he was alittle pissed @ me after the game. He thought I looked like a LL ump. So I try to remember to cover in before my games. I like doing it... it kinda helps me "stay" in the game... a little.

I will be using it on Monday. Hope I remember to tell my partner.

[JRutledge]

I only show the count if a PU requests and that better only happen one time. Most of the time when I am asked by players or coaches, I tell them to ask the Plate Umpire. That is really not my job and sometimes I might not know if there is a steal or other actions going on.

Peace

[Tim C]

"PU should show count when count adds up to 3 or 5, or after the balls becomes dead and is put back in play."

This ties for the dumbest post ever made on the internet.

[jkumpire]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Whose fault is it that you can't keep 4 balls/3 strikes straight in your head?

My Wife. Who's yours?

[UmpTTS43]

I don't subscribe to definite when-to's when it comes to the count. I feel this is all part of game management, such as when to clean the plate without having to call time. My style will differ from yours, I'm sure, but if the base ump has to ask me for the count, then one of two things are happening: 1) I'm not managing my game right, or 2) he's not paying attention. There is a rhythm and flow to every game. Find it, establish it, whatever, and you will be allright.

[eagle_12]

Originally Posted by garyevins

BU should only show count when asked for by PU. PU should show count when count adds up to 3 or 5, or after the balls becomes dead and is put back in play.

I've always found that as PU the count comes out naturally. I don't have prescribed times that the count is shown, other than on a 3-2 count and it just the first time of a 3-2 count, not after fouled off pitches. Usually there is a lull that you notice that, yeah the count can get shown here, or like on an outside pitch that you track and you show it as you finish coming up. One thing I thing that I try not to do, is show it after a contraversial pitch, it just seems to show somebody up.

It's just a feel thing I think as to when to give it.