Countdown Timer

[WestMichBlue]

I'll second Wade on this one. Kitchen timer on fence; count up, count down, time of day, and it beeps. Coaches can look at it when they change sides. Those of us with hi freq hearing loss won't hear it, but all those younger ears along the fence will let you know.

$8 at your local discount store.

WMB

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by WestMichBlue

I'll second Wade on this one. Kitchen timer on fence; count up, count down, time of day, and it beeps. Coaches can look at it when they change sides. Those of us with hi freq hearing loss won't hear it, but all those younger ears along the fence will let you know.

$8 at your local discount store.

WMB

The only down side, you cant shave off a few minutes like those who hide the clock in their pocket do... (well its much tougher!)

Other than that, great. Preset the time limit.. press the memory button and you are off.. also uses 1AA battery, no weird batteries.

Oh, mine did not hold up well in the rain.. it did recover, but failed during the rain, luckily I have a back up digital stop watch that is on my water bottle holder... so was no problem.

I cant see wearing a watch on your mask (someone recommended this, never heard of it before).. if a ball hits that and it shatters into your face or a girls face, you are in a heap of trouble.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

The only down side, you cant shave off a few minutes like those who hide the clock in their pocket do... (well its much tougher!)

Other than that, great. Preset the time limit.. press the memory button and you are off.. also uses 1AA battery, no weird batteries.

Oh, mine did not hold up well in the rain.. it did recover, but failed during the rain, luckily I have a back up digital stop watch that is on my water bottle holder... so was no problem.

I cant see wearing a watch on your mask (someone recommended this, never heard of it before).. if a ball hits that and it shatters into your face or a girls face, you are in a heap of trouble.

The ball can't hit it, the mask protects it. It is on the back side of the temple guard, very well protected. I have taken shots there and it, and I, and the players, are all fine. Now a timer on a fence can easily be hit, shatter into a million pieces that go flying everywhere.

[WestMichBlue]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Now a timer on a fence can easily be hit,

Well, let's see - I have about 40' to 50' of fence behind me up to 6' high where I may hang my 2" x 3" timer. So my timer represents an area of 6 sq inch against a target area of 45,000 to 50,000 sq inches. That is like 0.00012 % of the area. Probability of a 12 sq in softball hitting it? ? ? ?


Of course, if Murphy is at bat, the timer will get hit every game!


WMB

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by WestMichBlue

Well, let's see - I have about 40' to 50' of fence behind me up to 6' high where I may hang my 2" x 3" timer. So my timer represents an area of 6 sq inch against a target area of 45,000 to 50,000 sq inches. That is like 0.00012 % of the area. Probability of a 12 sq in softball hitting it? ? ? ?


Of course, if Murphy is at bat, the timer will get hit every game!


WMB

But on the fence it has nothing, other than area, to protect it. On my mask it has the protection of the temple guard, which is like putting a cage around the timer.

Look, I am not trying to sway any of you to do it "my way (read convenient and intelligent )," I was just offering up a suggestion to the OP.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by WestMichBlue

Well, let's see - I have about 40' to 50' of fence behind me up to 6' high where I may hang my 2" x 3" timer. So my timer represents an area of 6 sq inch against a target area of 45,000 to 50,000 sq inches. That is like 0.00012 % of the area. Probability of a 12 sq in softball hitting it? ? ? ?


Of course, if Murphy is at bat, the timer will get hit every game!


WMB

Ok enough with the math already! Wizard Math Brain...

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

The ball can't hit it, the mask protects it. It is on the back side of the temple guard, very well protected. I have taken shots there and it, and I, and the players, are all fine. Now a timer on a fence can easily be hit, shatter into a million pieces that go flying everywhere.

So far the only time its been hit.. walking to a game.. I hear "HEADSSSS!" .. instinctively put my hand over my dome, the ball hits my hand, which had my timer in it, which fell to the ground shattering...

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

So far the only time its been hit.. walking to a game.. I hear "HEADSSSS!" .. instinctively put my hand over my dome, the ball hits my hand, which had my timer in it, which fell to the ground shattering...

Is there a "Murphy" somewhere in your name?

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by GrumpUmp

Is there a "Murphy" somewhere in your name?

I think so.. I been saying it, I'm gonna be the John Olerud of umpiring if it keeps up. I'm gonna wear a helmet.

[JefferMC]

I've seen timers on the fence hit and broken. My daughter fouled one off into such a timer last July, but I think she only broke the clip (i.e. the timer still functioned) It wasn't the first I've seen that happen to.

BTW, the softball isn't 12 sq inches. The surface area would be 45.84 square inches for a 12 linear inch diameter ball. The cross section would be 11.46 square inches (which is a lot closer to 12 inches than I thought it would be before I did the math).