|
The way the catcher handles a pitch has a lot to do with helping an umpire define his strike zone. The concept is not new and is referred to as "rewarding the mitt." I'm a firm believer just as Nick and Rich are that doing this will help you advance and make your games move along a lot smoother. If a pitch breaks off of the table and catches the zone, but is handled with the mitt turned down near the dirt, it's a ball. Calling pitches strikes just above the dirt will lead to trouble. Likewise if a breaking ball comes across the zone a little high, but the pitcher sticks the mitt, it's a strike. It would be nice if we could all call balls and strikes in a vaccum, but we all know that's not going to happen. Using the catcher to help you call pitches is a great tool.
Tim.
|