Partner Loses Count
 

Last night I am in a game and the base coach is asking my partner (PU) what the count is. I can tell that he has lost it so I just put the count down in front of my legs so if he looks at me he can get it which is what happened and he told the coach what the count was.

Is this the best way to handle this situation or would you handle it another way?

FYI..The coach asked him like 3 or 4 times loudly before he finally looked at me and saw I was giving it to him.

The best way (IMO) would have been for your partner to have asked you for the count when he realized he wasn't sure what it was, rather than try to ignore the coach.

Looks good to me (your part, anyway).

This is why I'm glad ASA has base umpires carry indicators. Things happen on the field that can cause anyone to lose focus for a moment (hot moms), and we umpires are there as a team. Other rule organizations don't like this, but I don't see the harm in it.

Not just ASA. NFHS, NCAA..etc. are supposed to.

As BU I have my indicator on me no matter what association I am working for.

I remember reading here that there was a rule org that said it was either optional for BU to carry an indicator, or it was restricted to the PU. I forget the post/thread, though.

I've worked with a few guys that don't use them on the field and even one guy who didn't use one on the plate. I always carry mine, and am not afraid to communicate verbally if I lose track of the count or outs. Communication should be stressed. After a steal, if I'm on the plate, I will visually give my base umpire(s) the count. If I'm on the base I look to the plate umpire for verification.