[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Guys, I just got in from a funeral of a family friend. (Why do they call it a celebration of life, when the kid was 14? Some things just aren't fair.)

I saw this thread had taken a life of its own and I apologize for stirring it up. Many umpires view the plate as a three dimensional object an the ball has to pass through the front and back adges for it to qualify as a strike. Others choose to follow the thought that the ball simply has to pass over the plate - IOW, nip a corner. Randy Johnson gets more of these pitches than anyone I've ever seen. Thsoe are MLB umpires calling his pitches, so I tend to agree with their interpretation of a strike. Wakefield gets more uncaught or 'dirty' strikes then any current MLB pitcher. Saying that MLB umpires don't call strikes that require a catcher to get his mitt dirty is erroneous. Watch Johnson and Wakefield in action - anyone recall an A's HOF closer that siedearmed balls that would barely touch the corner. I can't recall his name, but a few years ago the Phillies had a lefty that would do something similar.

Now, before this gets ugly, let's agree that we all get away with things we shouldn't. If one of these involves letting a strike go uncalled because the catcher didn't do his job, then so be it. I don't like penalizing pitchers or catchers, those guys keep the game moving and protect me. I don't have any problem telling an offensive coach that his batters are missing great deuces. Tell them to move up in the box for godsakes! Do some scouting...know that if I call it in the first inning, I'll call it in the fourteenth. A strike is a strike...we need three to move everything along. But...do what you gotta do to maintain your sanity and keep your job.

Life is too short. Good night.