Keeping the count.
 

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

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.

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

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...

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.

Whats an indicator?

From what I have read of most of your threads, you seem quite on top of your game and knowledgeable of the umpiring profession. Throw that crutch out and use your brain. 18 years ago I tossed it in my bag and haven't used it since. I give the count often and can honestly tell you that I have made less mistakes without it than with it. At 60 I can still call any type of ball out there and not make mistakers with the count.

I know there are those that will tell you differently and if carrying an indaclickercounter works for them than thats fine. I'm just passing on some info.

I use the same technique on the bases and helps me concentrate more and help anticipate what I may expect with each pitch.

Good Luck

Thanks for the advice and kind words. I guess at this point for me it's the "off season" there are things like this that I've always tried to work through on my own, but have never really received any advice or training on some of the finer points of umpiring. Yeah, it's basic...yeah, I know...advance the indicator, don't use one, etc...I guess I don't find any harm in asking the question versus pretending to know the answer if there is a better way out there to do something, why not ask and find out? Maybe after reading this, I find out that I'm doing it the "right way" maybe not, but at least now that I've asked, I have more information to decide of there's a better way.

Right on.

If there is anything I have learned about officiating, its these two things:

1. Always expect the unexpected.
2. There is always something new to learn.

I change my counter just after the event is called - ball,strike ,out etc. I like to give the count after every pitch except the first one. I do not use a counter on the bases. I have been doing this (except no counter on bases) for over 21 years.
Just started the bases thing last year to conform with Baseball Canada .

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

I agree and I too have found that by giving he count more often, it keeps me on track more. Baseball is a very slow game, lots goes on between pitches etc., so anything to keep the mind engaged is a good thing.


thanks
David

If you ever have the privilege to work with JJ, just do not, I repeat, do not ask him for assistance on what the count is........;) You have been warned!!!!:D

Hey, you asked me that ONE time, and I held up ten fingers so you could take your pick.....:rolleyes:

JJ

I hate holding my indicator in my hand so I keep it in my left side ball bag and after every pitch I change it and put it back in my bag.

What color bags are you using?

Usually the Navy Blue are much easier for changing your indicator than the grey, ivory, black or powered blue.

The indicator in the ball bag method is the best. Once you do it that way, you'll wonder two things: Why didn't I do it that way sooner? Why do I even have an indicator? It's the first step toward indicator independence.

I became liberated several years when I was negatively evaulated for repeated conversations with my indicator, after each pitch. I admit, it is much harder writing it down on my hand but at least I haven't been zinged. The worst part is when you have a double header and can't remember which game is on which hand.

I had a base partner miss a dropped fly ball because he prematurely called a catch, and then looked away to click the out on his indicator.

I watched a guy do a similar thing this summer. On the bases, he used his front pocket. He reached in after every pitch, and it looked, well, odd. And odd is being very, very nice.

I would imagine that if he's doing those types of things, the indicator issue on the pads, might be the least of his issues.

Yikes.

I have found that using an indicator on the bases is more distracting than helpful. I do use it when I'm working the plate but realize I hardly ever refer to it, only on those situations after something unusual happens and I want to reassure myself that I have the correct count.

You can always tell a rookie umpire by the way he calls a pitch and then immediately buries his face in the indicator. Drives me nuts.

I started donig the "indicator in the ball bag" thing this year and really like it. Makes it a lot easier to take your mask off too. I have gotten a bit tired of reaching in the bag after every pitch, so this fall I'm trying to ween myself off the indicator entirely so I don't have to use it at all.

I use blue ones.

You got zinged for looking at your indicator...what else must I do for the 20 seconds in between pitches? It takes me 2-3 seconds to pull it out and add a strike or ball.

When I am on the bases I tell my partner to make sure he knows the count because I am not keeping it on the bases. I do in my head but I don't tell them that.

Exactly. My response when someone asks me the count from the bases?

"Ask the plate guy. His count is the official one." "Bill, what's the count?"

If you ever end up having to eject a coach because you gave him the wrong count from the bases (my partner did about 10 years ago) you'll immediately realize it's a good practice.

And that is why learning to keep the count mentally keeps you more tuned into the game both on the bases and at the plate.

I have corrected several times, plate officials that have an indicator.

As have I. But first I let the participants get the PU's count. I could be wrong, too, and I'd rather the official word come from the plate. I am there in case the plate guy needs help or has a question.

An indicator is a tool, and as such it can be abused like anything else. If you can't use it properly, don't use it.

But I don't think that rises (descends?) to the level of a 'crutch' as a general category. Some use them, some don't, some well, some poorly. To each his own. My suggestion is to save your condescension for something that matters ;)

A little over sensitive here , are we?

Usually "To each his own," is not follwed up with a condesending suggestion either.

If you can't learn to use an indicator you probably shouldn't be behind to the plate trying to judge if that curve ball just hit the outside corner or not.

Sorry, not tracking any further objectionable comment on my part. I just don't think that umpires who choose not to use an indicator are automatically superior to those who do; but you would certainly think so from the tone of many of the 'nots' :D

Some carry on like they just broke a two-decade coke habit or something.....brings to mind the old saw 'there's nothing as virtuous as a reformed whore.' :D

Your absolutely right, and if my use of "crutch" came across as arrogant, then I aboslutely made a bad choice in words.