Verbalizing the Count?

[SAump]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Do you ever tighten the count?

I verbalize and signal the count on every pitch from the second pitch on, except if the batter fouls off a few, and I rarely have anyone asking me what the count is due to my giving it so often.

Have you ever been told you may be giving the count much too often?

[UMP25]

Hardly at all. As I mentioned above, it's second nature to me and significantly cuts down the number of times I'm asked, "What's the count?"

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by SAump

Have you ever been told you may be giving the count much too often?

I give the count much less frequently at ballparks with a scoreboard that indicates balls & strikes and is operated by a competent individual. Some ballparks have a 12-yr-old girl operating the scoreboard which usually causes more confusion than assistance since mistakes are constant. In the latter case, I just umpire the game as if the scoreboard did not exist. In my opinion, if the scoreboard is not going to be operated properly, then I'd prefer they just turned the darn thing OFF.

When the scoreboard is managed properly, and when the count is indicated incorrectly (which occasionally happens), I not only remind the participants what the count really is (in case they are relying on the scoreboard), in addition, I usually signal in the direction of the scoreboard operator to get him to correct the mistake - which they are usually only too happy to do.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

[w_sohl]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

In my opinion, if the scoreboard is not going to be operated properly, then I'd prefer they just turned the darn thing OFF.

I've asked board operators to stop keeping balls and strikes after telling them the correct count several times. Got tired of the coaches being confused and turning to correct them. They've discontinued in every instance thus far.

[MajorDave]

(order the scorekeeper to stop keeping balls and strikes) after they had it wrong for two straight innings on every batter. Very annoying. I hold it up after every other pitch and any reset such as a pick play/foul ball, etc.

[SanDiegoSteve]

I've done the same. I would say, "if you aren't going to keep the correct count, please don't show the balls and strikes." They are just as bad with the outs, unfortunately!

What I really hate is the announcing booth guy that thinks he's the second coming of Jack Buck and wants to do play-by-play during every at bat and play. I nip that sh*t in the bud with my bud nippers like Barney Fife and Fred Sanford put together!