Timer / watch
 

Just for fun... when you do timed games, what "equipment" do you use?

Local ump sent me to Target in the kitchen section. They have a double timer, fairly small unit. Each timer can be set individually so it makes it nice for no new inning and drop dead games. I believe it was $11.95.

I have broken, lost, or forgotten and left on a fence way too many "timers" over the years to use that item. I have been buying inexpensive Timex, Armitron, or equivalent (in the $20 to $30 range) multifunction sports watches with countdown timers, and use them as my primary watch and timer. I keep it in my pocket, ball bag, or hang it from a belt loop (if/when championship dress isn't an issue).

I generally announce when it is that I am starting the clock, add what time is on mine, and suggest they look at their own to see what time they have. I prefer the countdown function that will beep when time is up, to a count-up timer that requires more attention from me. I also prefer not doing any math to calculate how much time is left, when asked. In any event, the combination of announcing "we're on the clock", and "I have 6:31 on my watch; you can look at your's to see what time YOU have", and answering whenever asked how much time is left, have made the fact that it isn't hanging on a fence "for all to see" (as well to help one or both teams to attempt to manipulate) a non-issue.

If there is both a "no new" time and a "drop dead" time, I set for the "drop dead", then check when necessary to see if/when we are past the "no new" time.

I use to go with a small Timex in my ball bag...but I've gone to the dark side and now use a kitchen timer....:rolleyes:

It just seems to save the uneeded conversations at the end of games. Now timer goes off EVERYBODY knows time has expired.....:)

Mask,chest protector, cup,shin guards, indicator, brush, flip coin, lineup holder. ;)
Oh, you mean timinq equpment. :)

A stop watch in my pocket (Casio "multifunction sports watch").
A display timer if the tournament or UIC provides one.
I do not synchronize time of day with anyone, just announce "timer starting now".
In most tourneys, that is shortly after the plate conference, when I have told the coaches the above.

My wrist watch, which I put in the half-pocket in my ball-bag.

Before we break from the plate conference, I tell the coaches that the time begins on the first game pitch. After the first pitch comes in and F2 is throwing it back, I look at the time and make a mental note. At the half-inning, I write it on one of the lineups for reference. I then add the time limit (i.e.: do the math) at that time while I'm waiting and write that right below the first time.

When the coach asks me how much time is left, I look at my watch and tell him. If he questions further, I can pull out the lineup and show him that I noted the time earlier.

a$s.

:p :rolleyes:

During tournaments where the UIC wants a timer on the fence, I use an Eagle Timer. Otherwise I use a carabiner clip watch that's worn on a belt loop. It's long enough that the watch enters the top of my front pocket.

I put the countdown timer on the fence, after pregame I walk over to the timer, announce we are on the clock and hit the start button. Then I ask the official book what time he has and write it on their lineup card. Covers all the bases, so far.

None of the above. I cut the straps off of a wrist watch and velcroved it to the back of my indicator.

BTW...

http://forum.officiating.com/showthread.php?t=21426

I also don't use any of these: I've got the official scorer to keep time...;)

There is no option for me.

I keep a watch in my left hip pocket and have had absolutely no problem with the math since the Kinddergarten.

Ditto

I use countdown time but keep it in vibrating mode. That way I know when it is up and it feels so good when it goes off :cool:

Now & then I'll do a game that has a time limit. When I do, I use a watch, that I keep in my ball bag. On the home lineup card, I'll note the start time and then note the end time. I usually look after the first inning to see what pace the players have set and then again when I think there may be less than 20 minutes left.

I usually kept a cheap digital watch that counts down in my ball bag or pocket.

That was until the leagues around here bought new scoreboards with the timer on the board.

Big. Bright. Numbers.

Timer. We dont cheat like in Seattle. :D

There's a female ump I work with that does that too.

For the purpose of this poll, my answer would be none of the above. I use a cheap watch with a timer function on it, that is attached to the right temple guard of my face mask. Easy to use, no fumbling or worrying about miscalculated math. Just set the watch for however long the time limit is, and start it.

Type with Vibrate function??
 

DHolloway-

What brand / type is your countdown timer? I've been looking for a countdown that you could either set to vibrate or just turn off the alarm but have not been able to find one. What do you have and where did you find it?

It took a foul ball.. but mine stopped beeping.

The Poll function only allows one vote, but my answer has two components (third and fifth choices) and no "fumble / mumble ". :cool:

Maybe no problem with math, but your spelling sure could use some help.

Dave

And, if you look at his recent posts, it hasn't improved much in the the 4 years since, either. ;)

I shouldn't be worrying about someone's spelling when here I am remarking about a post that is over 4 years old. Get a life shipwreck.

Dave

I've got a stopwatch either around my neck tucked away under my shirt or in my pocket. If a coach or player asks for time I simply say "Doesn't matter, keep playing". I know enough how much time has gone by and around the 4th inning at the end of each half inning I shout once how much time is left to NNI.

Great game management technique....:rolleyes:

Timers are required - and required or highly suggested - to be on the fence in most of the timed games I do.

I don't know if my hearing is going bad or not, but I have not yet found the timer that I can hear easily.
It's never a big problem, but when it gets down to a couple of minutes, it is a little bit of a distraction.

Myself, and the majority of umpires on Fort Carson buy cheap sport watches at Wal-Mart, take the straps off, and glue it to the back of our indicators. Makes it simple to give time updates, and like others have said, I haven't had math problems. When I get the, "How much time, Blue?" I tell them we have been playing for x minutes. They know they play 55. No math is required from me! B)

When I did timed games I used a stop watch.
Told team the time limit of the game and that my watch was the final word on game ending time.
When I pushed the start button I announced that the clock is running to both teams, they can now check their watches and write it down.
If a coach ask me how much time was left my reply was you still have time and that I will let you know when you do not.

We're the epitome of local league (only four teams at the moment, all umpires are league players as well) so we're already on a good rapport.

It's not like the coaches don't have watches--they know very well when the game started and how long we play. And as I said I giving regular time checks from about 4th inning (which is usually around 10 minutes left on a 50 minute NNI game).

I basically tell them because we have a mix of rookies who have never played before and very experienced players. At this point in our league we're trying to retain the new players (especially female) and the worst way to do that is having the more experience players use cheap stall tactics to get out of an NNI situation.