Your line up card

[wadeintothem]

I'll hand to you guys who would take the time to rewrite the line up cards and all this time consuming stuff.

I'm really not sure what the point is.. but its definitely big time extra effort.

WMB stated "looks as good today as months ago..."

Do you guys keep your line up cards? I throw em away pretty much right after the game or as I'm getting ready for the new game, unless there is a serious incident.. what is the point of keeping them?

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Do you guys keep your line up cards? I throw em away pretty much right after the game or as I'm getting ready for the new game, unless there is a serious incident.. what is the point of keeping them?

Well, I get more lineup papers than "cards". And, I use them to line the bottom of my equipment bag. Except for the ones that I use to test the water-fastness of the ink when I wash my pants / ball bags.

[WestMichBlue]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

I'll hand to you guys who would take the time to rewrite the line up cards and all this time consuming stuff.

I'm really not sure what the point is.. but its definitely big time extra effort.

Come on Wade, calm down. If your partner reads off the nine starting numbers, and then the nine starting positions - how long does it take for you to write that on a lineup card? Be serious - 10 to 15 seconds is not big time extra effort! (and another 15 seconds the next half inning for the home team coming to bat.)

WMB stated "looks as good today as months ago..."

Do you guys keep your line up cards?

When I look at today's card, it looks just like the one I used a month ago. When you look at a lineup card, it doesn't even look like the second one you received for the same game, and neither one looks like the ones your received in the last game!

Consistancy, and intimate knowledge of your card cuts down on the time spent making lineup changes. That is significant compared to the minor time spend preparing the card in the first place.

WMB

[Skahtboi]

Wade:

WMB is correct. You can have the card ready in under a minute, no problem. Yet, during the game it probably saves you a minute with each substitution. We always stress game management, this is just another tool to achieve that end.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Wade:

WMB is correct. You can have the card ready in under a minute, no problem. Yet, during the game it probably saves you a minute with each substitution. We always stress game management, this is just another tool to achieve that end.

"blue 12 for 25"..
Me "ok" then to Score keeper "12 for 25"
In 95% of the cases, thats how long it takes.. not sure how you can save a minute off of that.

Even the whole partner thing, if my partner asked me too read him the names off the line up card, that would be irritating.

i'm not ribbing you guys, i do think its a little extra effort you guys are willing to do.. FOR ME, I dont see the point, but it still has a slice of "attaboy" on it. I dont think there is anything wrong with it.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

"blue 12 for 25"..
Me "ok" then to Score keeper "12 for 25"
In 95% of the cases, thats how long it takes.. not sure how you can save a minute off of that.

Even the whole partner thing, if my partner asked me too read him the names off the line up card, that would be irritating.

i'm not ribbing you guys, i do think its a little extra effort you guys are willing to do.. FOR ME, I dont see the point, but it still has a slice of "attaboy" on it. I dont think there is anything wrong with it.

You don't usually have two line-up sheets folded in your wallet that you have to unfold, verify is the correct one...etc? This card has both line-ups on one card.

Also, do you not notify coaches of line-up changes? (The card doesn't save time with that, I just noticed you omitted it.)

The card is a time saver, but if you wish to keep doing things your way, I totally understand. It was just a tool that WMB sent a few years ago, and I gave it a try. First couple of times out, I wasn't a fan either. But as I perfected my way of using it, I really like it. I am not trying to sell anyone on it though. Umpires have been doing it your way for years.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

You don't usually have two line-up sheets folded in your wallet that you have to unfold, verify is the correct one...etc? This card has both line-ups on one card.

"unwad" is a closer term

[WestMichBlue]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

The card is a time saver, but if you wish to keep doing things your way, I totally understand. It was just a tool that WMB sent a few years ago, and I gave it a try. First couple of times out, I wasn't a fan either. But as I perfected my way of using it, I really like it. I am not trying to sell anyone on it though. Umpires have been doing it your way for years.

The issue is not the card; it is using the EA system. The positive of that system is to be able to look at your lineup card and instantly "see" the entire lineup status - who is in the game, who is not, who can enter or reenter, who cannot, whether DP/FLEX is in game or out, who has run for the catcher, and who is eligible to run.

Emily uses a series of symbols to provide this information; to make it work effectly requires a lineup card in a specified format. It will not work on the multiplicity of forms you receive from coaches, from postage stamps to 8 1/2 x 11 computer printouts to toilet paper!

IF - you want to use her system you must use a preformatted card, and you must copy from the coach's handouts to your card. That is the question each umpire must answer: if the system has value to you, it has to be worth the extra effort of printing and cutting out cards and transferring the info at game time.

My only role has been to design a card to meet the system, lay out six cards per 8.5 x 11 sheet, and work out front/back layouts that actually match up when you run the paper through your printer the second time. Then I created a 4" x 11" tri-fold WORD doc that contains the basic instructions and a copy of a marked up card. Easy document to carry for quick reference to the "system."

IF you want to use the EA system, I will give you my spread sheet and Word document for you to print your own cards.

Otherwise, stay with your own system and leave behind the scarcasm for those that are open to new ways. Remember, once upon a time umpires wore ballon protectors.

WMB

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by WestMichBlue

....r those that are open to new ways. Remember, once upon a time umpires wore ballon protectors.

WMB

And, once upon a time umpires used a mask and hat instead of a hockey-style helmet.

Oh, wait.... some of us afraid of change types still do...

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by WestMichBlue

...Emily uses a series of symbols to provide this information; to make it work effectively requires a lineup card in a specified format. It will not work on the multiplicity of forms you receive from coaches, from postage stamps to 8 1/2 x 11 computer printouts to toilet paper!...

I've learned the system and the symbology and use much of it with any coach's favorite lineup sheet. I agree it works best (or most effectively, as you say) with the card designed for it, but key parts of it can be used with just about any card.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

You don't usually have two line-up sheets folded in your wallet that you have to unfold, verify is the correct one...etc? This card has both line-ups on one card.

Also, do you not notify coaches of line-up changes? (The card doesn't save time with that, I just noticed you omitted it.)

The card is a time saver, but if you wish to keep doing things your way, I totally understand. It was just a tool that WMB sent a few years ago, and I gave it a try. First couple of times out, I wasn't a fan either. But as I perfected my way of using it, I really like it. I am not trying to sell anyone on it though. Umpires have been doing it your way for years.

I can understand it as a time saver, but I will never rewrite a coach's line up. We are all human and make mistakes. I'll deal with two pieces of paper, neatly folded and placed in a line-up card holder. If the teams have to wait and extra 15-20 seconds for me to make a change, so be it.

I have my only little way of maintaining the line-up, but I do not teach them and refer anyone who asks to cactusumpires.com.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I can understand it as a time saver, but I will never rewrite a coach's line up. We are all human and make mistakes. I'll deal with two pieces of paper, neatly folded and placed in a line-up card holder. If the teams have to wait and extra 15-20 seconds for me to make a change, so be it.

I have my only little way of maintaining the line-up, but I do not teach them and refer anyone who asks to cactusumpires.com.

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.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

"blue 12 for 25"..
Me "ok" then to Score keeper "12 for 25"
In 95% of the cases, thats how long it takes.. not sure how you can save a minute off of that.

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?

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

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.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

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.

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