From the baseball board....

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

No... I simply give him the count... you see my memory span is larger than 1 min. I haven't carried the "wheely thing" as BU for more that 5 years, and have yet to lose the count. I suppose some concentration is needed, but that's fine with me, I like to stay in the game.

Maybe it's because you don't have half the issues a BU in softball does. For example, what is the BU's pre-swing responsibilities?

Speaking ASA, and a few others,

In softball, it includes, but is not limited to watching ALL runners remain in contact with the base until the pitch is released, making sure the pitcher's shoulders are square to the plate, both feet are in contact with the pitcher's plate, respond to any count/out inquiries of nearby fielders or base coach, insure the pitcher does not step back off the pitcher's plate during her motion, the pitcher does not leap during the delivery, the pitcher does not replant prior to the release, make sure there is no obstruction when each of the runner's leave the base at the pitcher's release AND THEN you was for a possible check swing among other possible occurances which could happen at the plate.

[mcrowder]

Baseball's BU's pre-pitch responsibilities:
1) Watch for a balk.
2) Um...
3) Give the GLM signal where appropriate.

[LMan]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

3) Give the GLM signal where appropriate.

Actually, this should be first priority. GLM, fair/foul, catch/no catch.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by LMan

Actually, this should be first priority. GLM, fair/foul, catch/no catch.

Is GLM the nice way of saying MILF?

[LMan]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Is GLM the nice way of saying MILF?

Quite so, sir.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by LMan

...fair/foul, catch/no catch.

Pre-pitch...

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

Baseball's BU's pre-pitch responsibilities:
1) Watch for a balk.
2) Um...
3) Give the GLM signal where appropriate.

We're supposed to watch for balks?!

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Welpe

We're supposed to watch for balks?!

If you work baseball, yeah.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Maybe it's because you don't have half the issues a BU in softball does. For example, what is the BU's pre-swing responsibilities?

Speaking ASA, and a few others,

In softball, it includes, but is not limited to watching ALL runners remain in contact with the base until the pitch is released, making sure the pitcher's shoulders are square to the plate, both feet are in contact with the pitcher's plate, respond to any count/out inquiries of nearby fielders or base coach, insure the pitcher does not step back off the pitcher's plate during her motion, the pitcher does not leap during the delivery, the pitcher does not replant prior to the release, make sure there is no obstruction when each of the runner's leave the base at the pitcher's release AND THEN you was for a possible check swing among other possible occurances which could happen at the plate.

Baseball-only guy here, although I worked high school and ASA softball 10 or so years ago.

I always enjoy these baseball versus softball threads. Just shows how different the sports and their umpires are.

I have to deal with pickoffs and balks along with some of the other things you mention.

Further, I do not and will not answer requests for the count. The plate umpire keeps the count. If I were to give an incorrect count as the base umpire, it could result in bad things happening. Someone asks, I simply say, "Mike, what's the count." If the plate umpire loses the count, I'm there for him, but that's the only time I get involved in the count. I really don't care what the count is, to be honest, unless it's 3-2, 2 outs and I can ignore the runners moving.

The day I carry an indicator on the bases or a brush on the bases or a bat ring ever will be the day I know hell has truly frozen over.