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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.
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do you normally try to keep the ball/strike count?
Yes. All the time. BU should have indicator with him always. When PU asks for count give him what you have. If you are not sure your count is correct, give it anyway. PU will figure something out. He still has batters and catchers and scorekeepers and coaches to draw from. If you don't have anything - and you want to somehow signal that without being embarrassed - well then you need to be embarrassed once so that it doesn't happen again. WMB |
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I disagree that BU should always use an indicator.
But I do agree that BU should always be aware of the count, and ready to tell PU if he asks. PS - and we try to never be an FU, but sometimes coaches force us to. :) |
Disagree....BU should always carry his indicator...
Hell, I carry mine even when traveling, never know when you might see a game going on and they need an umpire....Even carry it to *wally world*. :) |
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As base umpire I need to be aware of the count and outs for various reasons. Dropped 3rd possibility comming up? Ball 4 in a situation where batter runner may keep going to 2nd? And of course to help my partner.
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Maybe it's just me. Having learned both games semi-simultaneously, I've forced myself into the discipline of knowing the count all the time, and not needing a clicker. Now that I'm there, having one in my hand is actually a distraction. I have caught myself actually thinking, "Ok, it's 3-1.", then PU flashes 3-1, then for some reason 3 seconds later, I'm checking the indicator to make sure I have it set at 3-1.
Once I developed the mindset to have the count at all times without the clicker, I actually feel MORE in tune with the game. I realized after the fact that I used the clicker initially as a crutch, which let my focus fall off a little. Now I'm stuck in what you might call baseball mode on this, even though 95% of my games the past 3 years have been softball. My brain goes through the same mental exercise after every pitch. "Count, outs, baserunners, special situations (like IFF), and what are the likely places I'll need to be shortly." Then - "Where are the fielders, and is anyone likely to get in my way (or am I likely to get in anyone else's way)"... and then "Baserunners in peripheral vision, focus on the pitcher's foot/release." I'm stuck there. And honestly, the clicker is a distraction from my mental prep for each pitch. So maybe it's just me. |
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Don't carry an indicator in this area and you will be tested often and not just by your partner. The coaches know it and will repeated ask for the count of the BU from the coach's box.
It's a tool. Humans make errors and it seems that if you are doing the job right, you should have quite a few other things to run through your mind without worrying about the count. It is not difficult to lose a count, so I believe that every available resource and tool should be used. Even Uri Geller (?) carries a hammer when he needs to straighten out a nail. :) |
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Do you need a CCI* permit in Texas to do that? Roger (CCI = conceled carry indiclickercounter) |
If you have used an indicator enough, it should be a natural reaction for you and not a distraction. Like Mike says it is a "tool" and should be used by every ump on the field as such.
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standard equipment for a BU doing his job IMO.
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One of the few things that does not require a permit in Texas. well, Not at this writing, anyway. :D |
Clicker?
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