I also agree that this is total hogwash. Having the indicator, as noted, is required in every organization. You can focus on the game with an indicator there. I may look at mine a couple of times in a game. However, if I need to look at it that one or two times, I am glad it is there. That way I don't have to go to my partner to get the count like those of you without the indicator do. IMO, anyone who takes the field without the required equipment for any reason are just like the clowns who proudly say that they never wear a cup when working the plate. :rolleyes:

You mean the ones rattling around in his head? :D

Nope. Would not dream of going without one, in whatever level. So what happens when you lose focus for one second, which even the best do, and drop the count, which we all have done?

Thanks for the advice, Mr. Wise Baseball Umpire, but this is a different game.

BTW, MiLB requires the use of an indicator, and I see lots of MLB PUs using one as well.

Sadly, this bravado of not using an indicator and the lame reasonings for it are not limited to just baseball umpires, I know of two strictly FP umpires who tout not using an indicator all of the time.

touting that and $1.00 gets them a cup of coffee at any gas station. :rolleyes:

Mine doesn't
 

My indicator only has 3 balls (don't laugh!), 2 strikes and 2 outs. Nothing else is needed.

While I agree with you, I will say that I have worked a game or two without an indicator because I realized, maybe right before I took the filed, that I left it in the dressing room or car or whatever.

In the case of a cup..... I would go get it (even if it delayed the game a minute or three.....:D

Chinese Proverb: Umpire whose indicator has 4 balls very well endowed. Umpire whose indicator has 3 balls well endowed. Umpire whose indicator has 2 balls has problem and may need indicator doctor. :D

(Sorry, just couldn't resist! LOL)

Hey, quit stealing my jokes! :)

That was a joke?????? :confused:

God I hope so!

One other observation: With all the pickoffs and the waiting between pitches in baseball, keeping the count is harder than in softball even with an indicator. Why the heck would an upper-level baseball umpire WANT to go without an indicator? :confused:

Oh right, because he's "focused on the game." :rolleyes:

do any of you ever use the inning wheel of the indicator for coin flips? i just spin the wheel continuously, have one coach tell me to stop, and have the other guess "odd" or "even", I figure, heck, it's a 50/50 odds getting it right so what difference does it make from a coin toss? Or I may just use my ball wheel (0,1,2,3) and have the coach pick any two of those numbers and have the other coach tell me when to stop.

I'm thinking about using my strike wheel (0,1,2) and have Coach A guess a number (say 1) and say it stops on 2, then I'll tell coach A that it's NOT 0 and ask her if she would like to switch her choice to 2...heh heh, maybe i'll try this in a league full of probability people, (google game show switch strategy if you're so inclined, the odds of winning if you switch is actually 2/3, and not 1/2).

Thats not a bad idea - prolly not as good as rock paper scissors.. :D.. I must admit I have on rare occasion flipped the clicker when my coin was abducted by aliens. ;)

... lizard, Spock :D