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I have been working on expanding my zone for the last four years. In my fourth high school game this year (a JV game), I overheard the coach in the dugout in the second inning, "OK, guys, this ump's got a big zone, so go out there swinging." I immediately smiled and was "in a zone" for the rest of the game. I had three illegal pitch calls and an ejection for malicious contact, but it was one of my best games I've ever called. On the way out, the other coach (the one whose player was ejected) commented to me, "Thanks, you call a good game, blue."
Finding a consistent, big zone that is accepted at your level and close enough to the rulebook is one of the greatest challenges in umpiring. When you find one that's "pretty good", you'll be happier than a clam.
P-Sz
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