Hey Ump are you blind?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Al

Thanks bigsig,

That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. I want the very best possible correction for distance, as long as I can see well enough at the distance required behind the plate to catch the corners ect.

I think there might be a difference in the understanding of the term "distance". If you cannot see the outside corners of the plate, you may need more than surgery, like say maybe a cane.

I really won't mind needing reading glasses for small print up close. And I'm sure I will be able to read my indicator when not held too close.

I'm surprised someone hasn't developed an indicator in braille.

However, back to the reading glasses. If one was concerned about a reaction by the teams, I'd rather wear glasses/contacts full-time than deal with the need to pull out a pair of reading glasses every time there was the need to make a line-up change or read the rule when the coach brings the book onto the field Oh boy, here we go.......

[DaveASA/FED]

POS already makes one!! I have one, does that say anything???

http://www.pluspos.com/product.asp?which=261

[Al]

Originally Posted by DaveASA/FED

POS already makes one!! I have one, does that say anything???

http://www.pluspos.com/product.asp?which=261

Maybe I need one of those Dave...and I hope to find a giant print rule book as well...

Hey Ump, it's written right here...

Hold on coach, I have my own rule book!!!

[Mountaineer]

I did the LASIK in '05 and it has been the best money I have ever spent! I did have to break down this year and get reading glasses. The surgery took about 20 including setup. I could see immediately, but it was sort of like opening your eyes underwater. I took a nap (doc's orders) and 3 hours later - WHAM - perfect vision! I was back at work the next day. My surgery was done on Jan. 6 in '05 during basketball and I was on the court again on the 13th. My doc didn't want to risk me taking a shot to the head before it was healed. I'd probably not do it during softball because a head-shot is inevitable. My cost was $1600 and I've gone back for periodic problems - dry or itching eyes and not paid another dime. The dry eyes is a problem - but not a big enough problem to not get the surgery. I would do it again tomorrow.

I am a little bit more light sensitive - even on some cloudy days. I always wear wrap around sunglasses even behind the plate. (During the first year I did have to wear sunglasses at night occasionally due to the car lights.) I haven't had any problems umpiring at night except the first season during some early college games - cold air blowing.

It's awesome not to have to put contacts in, or clean glasses all the time, or find them at night to go to the bathroom, or "insert any problem you have with glasses or contacts here". Feel free to pm me if you have some specific questions. If you are seriously going to do it, pm me and give me a number and I'll talk you through everything you can expect. That was important in getting through mine. I hope this helps.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by DaveASA/FED

POS already makes one!! I have one, does that say anything???

http://www.pluspos.com/product.asp?which=261

I have been told by several veterans (whose opinions I respect) in my area that one of the "little" things that makes you appear to be a better umpire is not constantly looking at your indicator for the count, outs, or clearing it after a play. Several of these umpires have taken a file and carved a notch in the wheels at the zero point so that they can clear their indicator without looking at it.

I don't know how prevalent this philosophy is in other areas, but I have heard it from enough different people that I try to follow it.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Andy

I have been told by several veterans (whose opinions I respect) in my area that one of the "little" things that makes you appear to be a better umpire is not constantly looking at your indicator for the count, outs, or clearing it after a play. Several of these umpires have taken a file and carved a notch in the wheels at the zero point so that they can clear their indicator without looking at it.

I don't know how prevalent this philosophy is in other areas, but I have heard it from enough different people that I try to follow it.

Is this from the Louis Carroll school of umpiring? You're required to carry an indicator, but you're not allowed to look at it?

I don't doubt that you're correct, it just seems a bit nutty.

`How do you know I'm mad?' said Alice.
`You must be,' said the Cat, `or you wouldn't have come here.'

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Andy

I have been told by several veterans (whose opinions I respect) in my area that one of the "little" things that makes you appear to be a better umpire is not constantly looking at your indicator for the count, outs, or clearing it after a play. Several of these umpires have taken a file and carved a notch in the wheels at the zero point so that they can clear their indicator without looking at it.

There is nothing wrong with learning how to become part of your indicator. OTOH, there is nothing wrong with checking a tool of the trade to make sure you have properly reset your indicator. One of the first things I tell new umpires is to get an indicator, go home and sit in front of the TV watching a baseball game with an indicator in the left hand. Try to keep count with the HP umpire without constantly looking at the indicator.

And I suggest you learn to read it from an arm's length. Nothing tips off the teams and evaluators to a rookie quicker than the umpire frequently bringing the indicator up to eye-level.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And I suggest you learn to read it from an arm's length. Nothing tips off the teams and evaluators to a rookie quicker than the umpire frequently bringing the indicator up to eye-level.

Heck, Mike, I'd need my reading glasses to be able to read the indicater closer than arm's length!

[bigsig]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

There is nothing wrong with learning how to become part of your indicator. OTOH, there is nothing wrong with checking a tool of the trade to make sure you have properly reset your indicator. One of the first things I tell new umpires is to get an indicator, go home and sit in front of the TV watching a baseball game with an indicator in the left hand. Try to keep count with the HP umpire without constantly looking at the indicator.

And I suggest you learn to read it from an arm's length. Nothing tips off the teams and evaluators to a rookie quicker than the umpire frequently bringing the indicator up to eye-level.

Another tip: Try adjusting your mask with your left hand. It's a great way to look at your indicator without being obvious.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by bigsig

Another tip: Try adjusting your mask with your left hand. It's a great way to look at your indicator without being obvious.

For FP umpires

[tcannizzo]

Originally Posted by Andy

I have been told by several veterans (whose opinions I respect) in my area that one of the "little" things that makes you appear to be a better umpire is not constantly looking at your indicator for the count, outs, or clearing it after a play. Several of these umpires have taken a file and carved a notch in the wheels at the zero point so that they can clear their indicator without looking at it.

I don't know how prevalent this philosophy is in other areas, but I have heard it from enough different people that I try to follow it.

I have taken the notch idea one step further. I take a black sharpie and put marks that equal the number that is showing. This way, the count is showing without having to open the palm of my hand. I just glance down at the top of my hand. This why I like to use an indicator that has white ball and strike wheels on the top.

This also helps at night, when the numbers are more difficult to see.

[argodad]

Originally Posted by Andy

I have been told by several veterans (whose opinions I respect) in my area that one of the "little" things that makes you appear to be a better umpire is not constantly looking at your indicator for the count, outs, or clearing it after a play. Several of these umpires have taken a file and carved a notch in the wheels at the zero point so that they can clear their indicator without looking at it.

I take it a step further. I buy the three ball, two strike, two out indicators and doctor them. I smooth the wheel at each zero, and notch each two. Now I can tell everything by feel -- except ball one versus ball three (and I sure hope I know that one without looking ). I can clear it by feel -- and read it by feel.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by argodad

I take it a step further. I buy the three ball, two strike, two out indicators and doctor them. I smooth the wheel at each zero, and notch each two. Now I can tell everything by feel -- except ball one versus ball three (and I sure hope I know that one without looking ). I can clear it by feel -- and read it by feel.

Geez....if you guys would use all of this energy on staying focused during the game, you wouldn't even need an indicator.

[wadeintothem]

My technique is slight different.


I look at my indicated when I need / want to.

[azbigdawg]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

My technique is slight different.


I look at my indicated when I need / want to.

Sinner!!