And what about the time it takes for you to retrieve a writing instrument and line-up card from pocket/bag, record the change and return them to their respective place?

I imagine that would be the case with any system, unless this stuff is recorded via miraclization on the emily system... I was addressing the statement that saves a minute.

One thing I hate about line ups is that coaches write the substitution players name in the sub spot, so there is no room to record subs. Rewriting it would help that.. and you could just use numbers if you rewrote it. Still seems this would be a case of diminished returns.

This is what would keep me from using this - If I rewrite a coach's lineup card onto my own, I could screw it up. I've got each card/paper neatly folded with the team name showing when I open the holder.
I use EA's system when doing softball and have for several years. It works.
AND, if my game is suspended, the next umpire can easily pick up my lineup cards and use them.
When doing a baseball game, I continue to use the A-B-C method that I used to use for both games.

If you are referring to a "card" which has lines specifically designated for starters and subs, don't accept it.

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

lol, DOh!!

That thought actually never occurred to me. We could get the game going while he learns how to fill out a line up card, so no time would be wasted on this dummy. It drives me nuts, but I actually never considered just simply making the coach rewrite it.

Well I downloaded the System off of Cactus Umpires.. holy moly!!!! An 80 slide power point LOL!

Come on!!!!

Way to0 complicated... Do you know all these anal things umpires do affect and slow down an entire tournament.. you know that one field that is 20-40 mins behind by the end of the day so everyone is waiting.. EVEN IN A DROP DEAD Tourney! Honestly, it is outrageous.

You guys quit screwing around with lame stuff and get going.

Allow me to present how you properly do a line up card
Write the team color and coaches name at top (if not there)

Write in the sub... yep, you guesed it! cross them off when they are used...


http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/9...eupcardtg5.gif

What is the deal? Whats the problem? Why complicate it? WHY???? Circles and Algebraic computations.. it is NOT rocket surgery, quit goofing off.

:cool:

While I'm on the subject, The people who goof around figuring ways to complicate things.. and thus affecting an entire tournament.. also have a 10 minute pregame.

So along with my advice on line ups... this is how you properly conduct a pregame for standard timed tourney pool play..

Stand in position and yell "Coaches captains".. note who gets there first. If someone is lagging yell a few times.. then if you have to, start without them... they'll see you started it and come-a-runnin


QUICKLY go over any tourney specific rules you have too..
If it is game 4 of the day, you dont need to do any of that THEY KNOW IT.. just say "we all know time limits and run ahead rules right?".. they will say yes, even if they dont, thankfully.

This line up official coach?
This line up official coach?
Give it a scan, make sure all is cool.
"Ok coach, any problems in the game, call time and we'll talk."
Any questions? 95% there will be none.

TELL the one who got there first "Call it in the air".. they call it.. you have your answer.

We dont flip the coin twice to determine who calls it or ask and let them debate for 3 minutes about who gets to call it.. the one who hustles calls it, period. If there is a coach on one side and a coach and a player on the other side, an alternative is to always let the player call it. Dont ask and dont goof around, you decide.

"Ok coach, take the field, I'm starting the timer".

Wait a little bit to actually start it, giving them a little bit...but not long! Definitely start it.. we're not waiting on them and we are not waiting for the first pitch.. this is not Nationals, get going.

No talking about sportsmanship, no asking them if they are equipped no speeches, no ground rules unless something REAL unusual is there and MUST be addressed, no inspections to make sure someone doesnt have an ear ring hidden under a bandaid. JUST GIT ER DONE!

OK end of my rant, you guys really need to quit goofing around and complicating things.

Did you actually read the presentation?

Quick... what are most of the slides there talking about? (Hint... it ain't the lineup card....)

^^^^^^

Agree--- we had a presentation at an early meeting and I was lost/bored after a half a minute of it. I simply write a sub's number where she enters the batting order and strike a line through her name on the sub list. If she leaves the game I put a line through her number in the batting order. If her number shows up again (re-enters)it is not rocket science to know she can't do it again.
99.9999% of the time there are no problems--even with the Flex/DP. If I ever have a VERY rare time that there is a problem, I'll simply stop play-get both books together and hash it out. It is rare as most high school teams here have so few players that substitutions are not a problem.
Oh--my Honig's "Trip Card" has a place for Courtesy Runners on the back and I use that. There are a few teams that use courtesy runners and I usually thank coaches who do especially for the catcher as it speeds up the games a bit. I wish we would just go to a "speed up rule" like was used when I did college/JUCO ball in CNY.

Wade,
See what Tom said about the powerpoint presentation - it's still a really good system.
Your pre-game is similar to mine, however we've got some differences
1-I review each lineup card completely
2-as for the flip, 3B side is heads, 1B side is tails
3-Ground rules typically take me 30 seconds or so to review by taking them around the field.
Since it's tournament ball, I agree with you about the sportsmanship & equipment & jewelry.

My pregame is similar. However, I don't yell for coaches. I have a partner. He gets one, I get the other. I also don't say, "Ok coach, any problems in the game, call time and we'll talk." or anything like it. Also, the coach on my left is always heads. They don't call, and there is no double flip. 50-50 chance either way.

Hey that's a good way too! I hate when I'm not PU and I'm standing there while they do the Chip and Dale Chipmunk thing: no you call- no you call -after you- oh no after you- well how many miles did you come? ok your farther - but youre wearing blue, so we'll let red call it - well does anyone WANT visitors, no I dont want visitors, i want home, well I dont care if they REALLY want home I guess well take visitors..... FLIP THE FRIGGIN COIN ALREADY JEEZ

I did not go through all 80+ pages.. The beginning was mostly rules.. then algebraic calculus computations to somehow allegedly insure no one gets illegally subbed... After getting the gist of it, I closed it down. So if there was a climactic ending such as "HAHAHA Just kidding, look just cross of the subs" .. I missed it.

Emily is a WAY advanced umpire and what works for her wouldnt necessarily work for the rest of earth.. I would never show that system to a new umpire.

Now I thought that this was about the simplest "standard" way of taking care of the lineup. The way I used to do this was equally simple - but - it left some room for doubt/question if a game was suspended and somebody else got to finish it. Maybe due to the real job, I think in terms of verification and recoverability by somebody else.