Indicators: are the metal ones better?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by DG

Get a metal Markwert and never look back. You will pay more than $5-6 but it will be worth it. I ordered online.

It's Markwort. $17 at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Markwort-Stain.../dp/B0002U3VQI

The 3 dial is just $6.71

http://www.amazon.com/Markwort-Metal...9199870&sr=1-3

[jicecone]

Oh by the way I still have an old electronic one I used. It would light up as you pushed the button and then it would clear with one push of another button. It was cool and great for night games. Especially when you get around 40 and the eyes start going squiggly-do on you. Hard to see the lights in the daytime though.

[kylejt]

My lovely wife bought me a metal indicator, and had it nicely engraved.

My first game with it was an afternoon affair, and my first glance at it nearly blinded me with the glare. It was completely unusable. It stayed in my bag for a few years, and was "lost" somewhere along the line.

Please don't tell her.

Oh yeah, and it was really heavy.

I try not to work with one, if I have decent scoreboard worker as a backup.

I still use the electronic Honig's, even though the battery drowned in the washing machine years ago. It's got to be ten years old, with hundreds of games on it. Still smooth as glass.

[Trout78]

I use the 4 wheel all metal case all metal gear indicator. All Star brand. It's nice and heavy.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by Trout78

I use the 4 wheel all metal case all metal gear indicator. All Star brand. It's nice and heavy.

Always great to know what inning your in, and that 4 ball, 3 strike wheel lets you know when it's a strikeout or walk. Hell, they even have a 3 out wheel to let you know that's all a team gets an inning.

[Publius]

Keeping the count in your head can cause its own problems. Don't forget to add the pitch to the count when there's a wild pitch with a subsequent play.

R3, two outs, 1-2 count, tie game. F1 throws a 58-footer that bounces away. R3 tries to score, F1 covers. I was so intent on maintaining my ego-fed record of NEVER losing track of the count that on a whacker at the plate, instead of calling "SAFE" or "OUT", from my perfect 3BLX position, I confidently announced "Two balls, two strikes!"

[Welpe]

I use a metal 4-dial Markwort and I like it. I've had it for years and it is just now at the point where I'm considering replacing it because the wheels don't click as well as they used to. I like the thinner profile and how it fits my hand.

I can work a plate just fine with an indicator. I can go multiple at bats without looking at it but it's a nice safe guard just in case.

[jicecone]

No. 1. "Not using an indicator doesn't make you a better ump; using an indicator properly can "

No. 2. "It's too bad some people can't shake the notion that somehow you're a better umpire if you don't use an indicator. That's just plain ridiculous."

No. 1. PERCEPTION

No. 2. There are probably just as many that believe you can't be a better umpire unless you "DO" use an indicator.

For years, I had to listen to people tell me how using, what used called the "Wrestler type position" at the plate was just wrong. "You need to work more in the slot", "on one knee" "etc". No one uses that position unless they use the Balloon which is archaic. But when some guy name Davis comes up with a variation of that position, then everyone thought it was cool.

Tradition, Perception. Its like wearing a certain color shirt, tucking your jacket in, patent leather accessories, high top plates shoes, white trim on base or plate shoes, plate beanie vs 4 stitch vs 6 stitch hats. When to cover third as a PU. Being in the B or C position etc, etc.

As I have said in so many things including officiating. Quit being narrow-minded and always look for ways to improve your mechanics, presentation and overall ability to do a good job.

Umpires and players come and go, the game always moves on with or without them.

[biggravy]

If you are going to shell out for a metal one, dont settle for metal case plastic wheels. Get the stainless one with stainless notched wheels. I think I got my from Between the Lines. I agree with all comments about it not being a crutch but since I work many games with lackadaisical scoreboard operators and even poor bookeepers... Lets just say we would have played the sixth inning twice in a game this year if I had not noticed and yes even I had to look. The notches let me confirm the count by feel. To me its just another tool.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by biggravy

If you are going to shell out for a metal one, dont settle for metal case plastic wheels. Get the stainless one with stainless notched wheels. I think I got my from Between the Lines. I agree with all comments about it not being a crutch but since I work many games with lackadaisical scoreboard operators and even poor bookeepers... Lets just say we would have played the sixth inning twice in a game this year if I had not noticed and yes even I had to look. The notches let me confirm the count by feel. To me its just another tool.

I've never used notches. I can work it just fine without them. I'd rather take a quick glance down, than feel for the count.

Love the big 3-2-2. I can see it at night without having to hold the old four hole at arms length, and maybe be able to read it. I have on occasion had to have the coach read some names off the line-up, my reading eyesight has gotten so bad recently.

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

Just to throw some more fat on the fire - with nice clear HD close ups, you will notice that the most MLB guys, even with huge electronic scoreboards all around them, still use indicators on the plate...have seen metal and plastic used, so that doesn't help the original question though...

personally, I use the metal 3-2-2 with no innings for softball, where we hardly ever have scoreboards...

[JR12]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

Just to throw some more fat on the fire - with nice clear HD close ups, you will notice that the most MLB guys, even with huge electronic scoreboards all around them, still use indicators on the plate...have seen metal and plastic used, so that doesn't help the original question though...

personally, I use the metal 3-2-2 with no innings for softball, where we hardly ever have scoreboards...

From the way some of these guys jumped on the thread starter, I guess those MLB Umpires are the weaker ones....SMH

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

Just to throw some more fat on the fire - with nice clear HD close ups, you will notice that the most MLB guys, even with huge electronic scoreboards all around them, still use indicators on the plate...have seen metal and plastic used, so that doesn't help the original question though...

personally, I use the metal 3-2-2 with no innings for softball, where we hardly ever have scoreboards...

PBUC MANUAL pg 5

It is mandatory to use.

[ozzy6900]

You know:

No one ever said that using an indicator makes you a poor umpire (at least neither I nor Shicker did). I don't know where you people got that idea from. When I said Shicker was trying to make the poster better, I stated the use of the indicator as a tool, not a crutch (as many of you out there do - don't lie, now).

By the way, my association requires that two umpires use indicators at all times (the PU being one) in 2, 3 & 4 man crews. So the way you people are talking, we are all lousy umpires! Maybe ya'll should read and comprehend before you lash out with your diarrhea!

Done

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by jicecone

PBUC MANUAL pg 5

It is mandatory to use.

Plate umpire only, I believe.