I think that the answer to this puzzle lies on a slightly different tangent.
The kid calls for the pitch out; the pitcher delivers, but the pitch is over the edge of the plate and the catcher reaches back to catch it...only to have the batter hit it safely into left field. Different result...same pitch. Why would you call it any different?
At that level, a lot of coaches argue (on balls) that the kid could have hit the close ones, right???
We don't judge strikes on the ability of the catcher. We judge them on the pitcher's ability to meet the definition of a strike according to the rules employed by that league.
Shame on the pitcher...not the umpire.
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