Handling Lineup Cards
 

I've been umpiring a long time, but have never found a way to handle my lineup cards that I'm comfortable with. I usually end up stuffing them in my pockets and when I need to make a change, it's frustrating to write on them and I feel like I'm causing a human rain delay whenever I'm making a change. I've seen different types of card holders, and am wondering if you have used these with success, and if you keep them in your shirt pocket or a ball bag. I'd appreciate any advice on this.

Thanks.

Honigs
 

I use Honigs KIP. It comes with an eraseable white card that helps with visits and lineup changes. I put the lineup card holder in my back pocket and a bullet pencil and white card in my shirt pocket for quick entries.
Most umpire supply stores carry similar items but these work best for me.

KIP - BASEBALL - INFO PACKAGE

Fits in shirt pocket or ball bag

$7.95

KIX - LINEUP CARD HOLDER

Keep the team lineup cards on this convenient mini-folder

I'm frugal (my wife says "cheap").

I go to my local bank, ask for a (free) blue checkbook cover, then cut it down to fit in my front shirt pocket. I insert one piece of thin cardboard on each side for writing support & I'm ready to go.

Most checkbook covers have clear plastic on each side, which prevents moisture from getting the lineup "cards" soggy on hot or rainy days.

For the longest time, maybe 10 years or so, I used a line up card holder made by a friend (thanks Russ). That finally fell apart this year, so I bought a holder from Gerry Davis. It works just fine, and fits in my shirt or jacket pocket along with a pen, usually a sharpie.

I just put the cards in my pocket. If it's really hot or wet, I put them in the pocket in my ball bags.

I've tried lineup card holders -- they're not for me.

I use the Honigs notebook, but with a custom made sheet I came up with to keep changes on. When I get the lineups they go into top shirt pocket, notebook is in left ball bag. All notes are made on the custom sheet.

is the sheet a word doc?

I would be interested in checking it out

I umpire a lot of softball, so I use the ASA lineup card holder, even when I umpire baseball.

http://www.officialgear.com/images/ump660.jpg

Each side has a clear plastic sleeve that extends halfway across the side in order to tuck the lineup cards into. But I've found that to be more of a pain than it's worth because when I slide the card out to make a change, sometimes I have problems trying to slide it back in.

So I just use two small metal binder clips

http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Stap...2257_sc7?$lnk$

one on each side, to hold the cards down. And I keep the holder in my ball bag so that I don't have to worry about them getting wet from my sweat on those hot days. I've never had any issues.

Of course, the vast majority of the baseball that I do are in organizations that don't ask umpires to keep cards. In the off chance I do, one of my ASA holders has the logo covered so I don't get some coach think, "Aww, geez, he's a softball umpire..."

I do the same thing that Manny A does with the Honig's pocketbook and two small bulldog clips. The visitors lineup is clipped on the left side and the home on the right side. I fold it in half horizontally and then half vertically. I can keep track of visits, CR, , new batter if third out happened on bases without batter completing AB, etc. on the back. When either manager comes to make changes, the line ups are folded so that when the lineup card is unfolded, I have the pocketbook to provide a hard surface to write on.

In a game that I don't get lineups, I use an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of everything. This system works good for me.

I wonder if anyone uses the official ASA jock strap?

I've seen some good ideas here, and I'm going to try a couple of them. To Rich, you've made me now feel better since I'm not the only one stuffing cards into their pockets !! :D:D:D

yep same here

Thanks
David

Love it.

rotflmao!! :D

OK, so here's a question while we're on this topic--what type of writing instrument do you use with your lineup cards? I used to use a golf pencil, then one of those itty bitty bullet pencils, but after taking the suggestion/tip of one of my colleagues, I went to Staples and purchased a box of Bic red pens, the ones that are all red, solid plastic (not the see through or transparent or thick ones). I use this specific one.

Why red? Well, it makes it easier to see the changes, and because the lineup cards I get in the plate meeting have themselves been written in pencil, blue ink, black ink, green ink, etc., but rarely in red ink. Therefore, my using a red pen has helped me notice things more easily. Plus, the type of pen I use, even if hit by a pitch or foul ball (I keep the Honig's little thingie in my shirt pocket), doesn't spill or leak ink if hit by the ball, which has happened once to me.

BTW, the size of those Bic red pens I use is perfect--they're not too thick, but more importantly, they're not too long, so they just barely stick out of my shirt pocket.

This is all just my preference, but I've found it to be my best scenario out of the many I've tried over my long career.

My association UIC once asked me, "Manny, do you know why umpire shirts have pockets? It's so you know where to iron your Virginia High School League patch."

Seriously, I don't like putting anything in that pocket. I'd much rather keep my red and blue (on the off-chance that a coach hands me a line-up card in red ink) pens in my ball bag with my lineup card holder. And since the holder is too big for my shirt pocket to begin with, everything is in one place in the bag.

Also, I wouldn't want to have to deal with a huge ink splotch if I should get hit in the chest with a pitch or foul ball.

That's why I use that type of pen. It's kind of a flexible, rubber like material, so when I did take a ball right to it, it didn't smash and spew ink all over.

I used to put my lineup cards in my ball bags--too cluttery. I tried my back pocket--too much of a pain in the ass taking them out and reinserting them. For the last several years, they've been fine in my shirt pocket. To each his own, of course, as this is simply my own preference.

I wear double ball bags and I keep my lineups cards in the left bag in the inside pocket toward the back. I agree with Manny A, I always afraid to put anything breakable in my shirt pocket. I too use red as it is easier to see any changes that I have made.

I don't know how it's in other parts of the country, but some coaches have discovered printers and are handing me lineups on big honking pieces of index card stock. Try folding those up and putting it in your lineup card holder.

There is a HS coach around here who hands you an 8½ x 11 sheet of scrap paper (there is irrelevant printing on one side). He claims he is saving the environment by recycling [sic] paper. At least his lineup (and subs) are machine printed in huge type.

Whenever he has a change, it becomes an exercise in unfolding/folding so the right quadrant fits over the lineup card wallet (the small one) so I have something to write on.

I just take my sweet-ass time. If I hear any grumbling, I show them the page and apologize for forgetting to bring my loose-leaf binder.

What's a checkbook?

I use black or blue ink pens, any old cheap pen that will write and has a metal pocket clip. It is in my left ball bag with the notebook, brush and couple baseballs until I need it the first time and then it goes in the shirt pocket with the lineups. Unless, the lineups were too large, then they are folded up and put in back left pants pocket.

Red pen. Right ball bag. Doesn't matter as long as you get it done accurately and timely.

What about blue pen left ball bag, Bob? Or black pen, blue ball bag, right ball bag? Or blue pen gray ball bag, left ball bag? :eek:

I'm confused. :confused::confused::confused:

I got in the habit of just writing down my lineup changes down between innings unless I had to make multiple sub changes. Just folded them up in my little Honig's plastic lineup holder. Got to where I learned to carry an extra writing utensil.

BTW-I would also take projected subs if it was a time limit game, and the coach was trying to get everyone playing time. This was mostly at the sub varsity level.

Often time the BU kept the courtesy runner subs. It made it easier for us a team.

Take your best shots.

I don't know where to start... :cool:

I use a lineup holder from Officially Sports that is hard on both sides. It flips open from the bottom instead of like a book. I write with a red Sharpie Mini. It fits easily in my pocket and it's easy to see the writing. It all goes in my shirt pocket.

As long as it works for you, do it. Doesn't really matter how you handle stuff like this.

I use the KIP, as well. I also wear two ball bags. I have one KIP in each bag. The bag on my left hip is for the team occupying the 3rd base dugout and the one on my right is for the team in the 1st base dugout. I switched to this system several years ago and has vastly sped up my substitution process. No more fumbling with several sheets of paper and making sure I don't mark up the wrong lineup card.

Lineup cards in a pocket in my ball bag. I like writing directly on the cards. I always have a fine point sharpy in the bag. They always seem to write. It seemed that dirt used to mess up regular pens.

That's a good idea...I'll have to try that.

At the moment, I wear two ball bags, although I find that I rarely actually have any balls in the left-side bag.

I find I'm much more comfortable behind the plate if my balls are balanced !!! I always adjust them so they are !!! :D:D:D

Sorry, couldn't resist. LOL

LOL. I tend to stay unbalanced. :D My left ball bag keeps a small towel, my sunglasses, extra indicators, and my vanilla for those annoying buffalo gnats we can get this time of year around these parts. OMG! My left ball bag isn't a ball bag ... it's a MAN BAG!!