Keeping the count.

[johnnyg08]

Plate umpire techniques?

When do you advance your indicator?

What is your routine?

I'm finding that when things occur during an at bat...I'm sometimes forgetting the count or remembering if I've advanced my indicator or not. An example might be a botched squeeze that involves a run down with lots of stuff occurring at almost the same time as the pitch.

I don't trust the scoreboard because usually it's wrong more than it's right.

So is there technique or routine that you use to make sure you're keeping the count? I'm not saying it happens all the time...but I have lost the count a couple of times this year when plays occur in addition to the pitch and want to try and mitigate that from happening.

Thanks

[briancurtin]

When a ball occurs, i say "ball", then move the indicator.
When a strike occurs, i say "strike" (or not for swinging), then move the indicator.

If there's any other easier way to do this, I'd be shocked.

[Eastshire]

I move the indicator as I call the pitch. I give the count every other pitch and say it to myself every pitch.

[JJ]

I give the count more with runners on base - that's when it's easiest to lose track....and I usually glance at the scoreboard when I give it to make sure we match....

JJ

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

Originally Posted by JJ

I give the count more with runners on base - that's when it's easiest to lose track....and I usually glance at the scoreboard when I give it to make sure we match....

JJ

In our softball group we teach:

Give the count audibly only when the count is x-2 or 3-x, with particular emphasis on the 3-2 count, which we tell NEVER to announce as 'full count'..


if the B has fouled off several pitches on 3-x or x-2 DON'T keep giving the count - repetition is tedious....you can however remind the B and C.....


If there has ever been any kind of break in action, THEN you can announce any count at such time...

[Rich]

I don't see why anyone would try to control or restrict how often the count is given.

I remember Jim Evans as an umpire - he gave the count on just about every pitch. Who cares if it's repetitive?

I give it as often as I like.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

In our softball group we teach:

Give the count audibly only when the count is x-2 or 3-x, with particular emphasis on the 3-2 count, which we tell NEVER to announce as 'full count'..


if the B has fouled off several pitches on 3-x or x-2 DON'T keep giving the count - repetition is tedious....you can however remind the B and C.....


If there has ever been any kind of break in action, THEN you can announce any count at such time...

Wow. Does one of the "A's" in ASA stand for anal?