lost and found

[Alameda]

They were pretty usefull in Normandy too.

[scottk_61]

Originally posted by rhsc
When any of you are the FU, do you normally try to keep the ball/strike count? I havent normally been doing that, but last night I was the FU and the PU (somebody I hadnt officiated with before) asked me twice in the game what the count was, because he had lost/forgotten it. I was caught off guard to be truthful and it was a little difficult to be discrete with my response. What is the most professional way to handle this? I expect some wise-cracks, but I would like some real input, too.

I always carry an indicator with me.
Sometimes I carry two.
You never know if the one you have might break.
Now, haveing said that. I rarely look at it.
I make sure that I focus and keep the count and the number of outs etc.
But sometime, somewhere you will lose contact with your brain.
It will probably be wandering off somewhere in the stands or at the concession stand or it may be waiting in the car for you if it is a bad game.

Then and there you need that indicator to make sure of the situation.

I kept on one the field when I did pro ball in spite of the direction not to.
I was discreet about it and when I do baseball now, I still keep one.
There have been more than one occassion where I had to give mine to the PU when he dropped his and stepped on it, or when the PU just plain forgot it.

It is a tool, simple and it helps you to get your job done in a more efficient manner.

Why on earth would you not use it?

I know the arrogance of small ball, but more times than not you have a partner that will need help even when you think you won't.

Carry it and use it.
Look at it when you have to but don't get stuck in the habit of looking at it all the time.

With mine, I can keep the count and outs and never look at it and know I am correct. If I need to look for some reason, it is there.

Don't they still make the "Blind Ump Indicator"?
That was one that allowed you to feel the count without ever looking. It was kinda nice, I tried it a couple of times but decided to go back to my regular indcator.