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.

[jicecone]

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

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by jicecone

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.

[jicecone]

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.

[Ump29]

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 .

[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?

[David B]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

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.

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

[umpjong]

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!!!!

[JJ]

Originally Posted by umpjong

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!!!!

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

JJ

[GoodwillRef]

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.