Seems like from the rest of the thread my response will be out of line but I'll make it anyway, I haven't used one in years, try it some time, after a couple of games you'll wonder why you relied on that crutch.

Here we go, another baseball guy who thinks using a tool is a crutch while at the same time refusing to support his teammate.:(

I've worked games without a cup or chest protector. Try it sometime, working without those physical restraints which holds back an umpire's mobility. For that matter, let's get rid of the mask that can only get in the way.:cool:

Well, most of us who have called for a while don't actually need an indicator for 98% of the game. I know the count, and I find I look down at my indicator to make sure my indicator agrees with the count in my head, not the other way around.

When I'm umpiring a baseball game I do not bring an indicator onto the field. While umpiring softball games I bring an indicator with me. It remains either in my left front pocket as the BU or my ball bag if I'm the PU. I can always show the indicator if my teammate needs support and it keeps the various UIC's for the different softball associations I belong to happy.

It is not a matter of making people happy. It is a matter of using an available and prescribed tool to aid an umpire in the performance of his/her duties. I use an indicator because I don't want to have to worry about the count or outs as there are many other issues on the field which demand the umpire's attention.

Actually it can be a matter of keeping people happy. If the UIC's for the various umpire associations I work for are not happy with me, I could become unhappy with my assignments.

Heck why not just memorize the line ups, too, and avoid that whole crutch of keeping the written line up and taking all that time writing things down.

I'll have to agree with Mike on this one. It is a tool. While 98% of the time I never even look at mine, it is nice to know that when I do need it, I have the count right there. Everyone, at some point in time, is going to lose the count. Better safe than sorry.

:D

You don't do that? :rolleyes:

A bunch of the Fed umpires around here obviously do. I mean, they never pull out the card when a change is made, so they must have it memorized, right?

I've never understood why an umpire will not keep a line-up card.

It can make your game so much easier by taking a few seconds to record a change. And God help you if there is a protest over BOO or substitution issues, 'cause the first thing the UIC is going to do is ask for your line-up card.

i use as an indicator 100% of time.I have seen many a times where both teams are keeping score and start to disagree on outs or count.If you as an official do not have an indicator you are asking for one or even both teams to start jumping all over you.Why not use the tools available.number one rule cover your own ***!

Welcome to board probie...[NCIS fan]

Well, McGeek, this thread is so old, it seems more like something from Cold Case.