Slowing the game down? I don't think so, in fact I believe it is making the game faster. Awkward to wear? Ummm it's on their arm, whats awkward about that?
Our 12u team travel team (1st year) uses the wrist bands for offense only. I really hesitated when our HC mentioned that he wanted to use them because one team used them last year and it really felt like their players delayed the game...their 3rd base coach would bark out the number at the last second, which then meant that the girl would have to take longer to get in the box to bat, especially since a lot of the girls seemed to have a hard time finding the number (or maybe they were trained to stall the game??). I told our HC that I would pay for it if he trained himself and the girls how to use the wristband properly without causing a delay in the game (OK, OK, it was just a suggestion...I may be the team admin, but he's still the HC!). He did take my suggestion....the wristband system works well for our team...yes, once in a while a girl takes a little longer, but it isn't common at all.