Skip to main content
Umpire indicator
Umpire indicator
Umpire indicator
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Umpire indicator

Date1887
DescriptionWhite celluloid umpire indicator with a metal screw at the front top center and in each lower corner. Top edge has two dials with scalloped edges. Front of the indicator has "Balls" and "Strikes" imprinted in black lettering beneath circular holes. Numbers are etched in black on the two dials and can be changed by turning the dials. There are patent markings imprinted along the front bottom left corner, "Pat'd May 28, 1878," and the front bottom right corner, "Pat'd Oct 12, 1886." There is a "Spalding" logo imprinted in black on the back side.
Bio/Historical NoteUmpire indicator from 1887, the only year in which it took four strikes for a strike-out. The counter for strikes goes to "4." Since it took five balls for a walk that season, the counter for balls goes to "5." The device was first patented on October 12, 1886 not as a baseball device but as a "Game Counter." The 1887 Spalding Baseball Guide advertised the product, stating "Now that the number of strikes has been increased it will be more difficult for the umpire, scorer or spectator to keep track of the balls and strikes called, and therefore is useful to all." It sold for 75 cents.
Object numberB-1964-0312
Artist, Creator, or Manufacturer (Manufacturer)
Classificationsstadium artifacts
Dimensions3 x 1.25 x .5 in.
Public Access NotePlease note that not all works are on view at all times - their availability is subject to change per the discretion of the Museum staff. Only a portion of NBHFM's collection is currently online and the information presented here is subject to updates and additions based on research and imaging activities. The images, titles, and descriptions are products of their time. If you have corrections or additional information about this object, please email research@baseballhall.org to help improve our records. This material is made available for private study, scholarship, and research use. Every effort has been made to accurately determine the rights status of images. Please email us if you have further information on the rights status of an image contrary to or in addition to the information in our records. For more information or access to a high resolution reproduction (some fees may apply), contact: National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Giamatti Research Center, research@baseballhall.org, 607-547-0330.
Amanda Clement umpire indicator
Object number: B-1983-0149
A.J. Reach Co.
circa 1905-1911
John Hirschbeck Barry Bonds 756th Career home run Umpire indicator
Object number: B-2007-0137
+POS
2007 August 07
Score Counter ring, 1949
Object number: B-2020-0043
Pafko, Andy
1949
Reggie Jackson World Series glove
Object number: B-1974-0190
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company
1973 October 13-21
Ken Hubbs glove
Object number: B-2003-0119
A.G. Spalding & Bros.
1962 September 02
Moe Berg All Americans cap
Object number: B-1978-0139
A.G. Spalding & Bros.
1934
Ty Cobb shoes
Object number: B-1938-0008-04
A.G. Spalding & Bros.
undated
Andre Dawson glove
Object number: B-1983-0492
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company
1983
Ozzie Smith Autographed glove
Object number: B-1981-0125
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company
1980
Babe Ruth shoes
Object number: B-1969-0261
A.G. Spalding & Bros.
1938
George Weiss World Series pocket watch
Object number: B-1975-0100
Hamilton Watch Company
1937
Eppa Rixey shirt
Object number: B-1963-1369
A.G. Spalding & Bros.
circa 1927