Quote:
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Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve
How do interpret "In calling balls and strikes, it is generally most accepted to bring the [the word "ball" belongs here] down or up onto the strikezone, and widen it out, making sure to give a good corner", then (page 21 in the 2006-2007 manual)? Would that be the stance, the mechanics of watching and calling, or a revision of the textbook defined strike zone?
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Let me back up and say that I read that paragraph a total of 6 or 7 times. Initially, I wasn't sure exactly what to make of it. How do you, the umpire, standing behind the plate (and the catcher), "bring the ball" anywhere? My best read of that before this discussion was that this is how you should train your eyes to watch the ball. And it still didn't make sense.
Now I see that it apparently means "make the strikezone slightly shorter from both directions and slightly wider." And, it admonishes "making sure to give a good corner." How many corners does an oval have?
Moving the lines a ball width up, down, left and/or right isn't my primary concern here (as long as its consistantly applied). Hearing an umpire say that he takes corners away from it because it's hard to hit the ball there,
that is my concern.
And I also think that if umpires are going to be instructed to apply the stike zone this way that the
Rules should be amended to describe the called strike zone.