Wrong Count

quote:

Originally posted by coach2709:
Last weekend we were playing in the state semifinal series and had three umps. The plate ump held up a 2 - 2 count with his fingers and that's what our book and pitching charts said. Next pitch is out of the zone for what should be ball 3. Plate ump says for batter to take first base. Obviously we disagreed and head coach went out. Plate ump swore up and down he said 3 - 2 and his clicker had 3 - 2. He finally went to first base ump and he said it was 3 - 2 as well and third base ump didn't have a clicker.

Question is - is there a way to fix this problem by going to scorebooks? We had 2 - 2, two newspaper guys keeping a book had 2 - 2 and so did the scoreboard. Granted I realize any of these could be wrong and are not "official" but couldn't they get with both scorebooks and figure this out?

What's a clicker?

Oh, and you really had an official state playoff game with no official book? I've never experienced such a thing.

In that case, umpires have the final word.

Clicker - the little hand thing that keeps up with balls / strikes / outs. I've heard it called a clicker and counter.

So who is the official book in this situation or a regular season game? I would think that it would be the home team's book but overall in pregame meetings it's never been addressed by anyone. In the case I described above the plate ump wouldn't consider going to any book.

Coach,
Jimmy03 is just pulling your leg a little. Of course he knows what you mean by clicker, but the proper name among umpires is indicator.

During a District 1 playoff game in PA, we had a batter make an out on a 0-1 count. There was then a problem with students in the stands. After a 10 minute delay, son gets into the box and takes a strike...plate ump says count is 0-2! Son say it was his first pitch. Coach complains, but all three umps forgot to reset their clickers after the problem in the stands...Go Figure!

Clicker, counter, indicator - all the same thing.

So what about my question on the "official" book?

In scoring, the home team book is the official book....at a state tourney, I would be very suprised to find out that there is not an official scorebook being kept by the league officials....

as to the count.....

Umpiring at all levels of baseball requires constant vigilance and concentration. Trouble can break out at anytime. Below I have listed the most probable times that an umpire’s concentration might waver.....Im not sure of the source of this, but I have included it in my teaching class for years....

1. In the first inning
2. With two outs in any inning
3. After a close call on a play
4. After an argument or conflict
5. After a pitching change
6. After a big inning
7. When a game becomes a blowout
8. After a GREAT or after a BAD call by either you or your partner
9. During threatening weather
10. Resuming a game after a rain delay
11. The last two innings of a game
12. When the game is moving very slowly

I teach my umpires to be aware of situations that may lead to a breakdown in their concentration. Knowing the vulnerable times can help them in situations where the count can be lost.......

Indicators....In our PIAA chapter all umpires are expected to carry and use an indicator....In a crew of three, the UIC is primary, but the partners may be called upon to assist/clarify should the count be lost.....

It happens, its unfortunate, and its embarrassing when it happens, but it is what it is....Getting together, and consulting an official book only gives the UIC information that he may use....His call will stand....

In Higher baseball, when I have been the base umpire, I have been told not to carry an indicator. The count is the responsiblity of the UIC....

If you looked into my game journal, you would see the word focus many times.....the game is like herding cats or wrestling an octopus at times.....you must be alert and ready for any of the multitude of things that can come your way....

Focus and study are the factors that separate those who umpire from those who ARE umpires....

quote:

Originally posted by coach2709:
Clicker - the little hand thing that keeps up with balls / strikes / outs. I've heard it called a clicker and counter.

So who is the official book in this situation or a regular season game? I would think that it would be the home team's book but overall in pregame meetings it's never been addressed by anyone. In the case I described above the plate ump wouldn't consider going to any book.

Traditionally in high school ball, the home team keeps the official book. Every state level tournament I've worked had an official book kept by someone appointed by the state organization.

I am amazed that an umpire with the attitude you describe made it to the state level.

IT Happens