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Originally Posted by NickG
So here's the problem: Every time I bring up the issue of "teaching" the zone, I hear nothing but complaints. We spend hours at clinics going over mechanics and rotations, but when it comes to this most central part of the game (and a part defined by rule, no less), we hear things like "ah, your zone is your zone", and "just stay consistent and you'll be fine", and the all-time lame-brainer: "strikes are good".
Why don't we teach calling balls and strikes with the same rigor that we teach rotations? Or maybe you do? That's why the long post, because I'd like to hear from those of you who do provide (or have taken) clinics in calling the ball. How do you do it? How do you approach an otherwise dedicated and hard-working umpire and tell him his zone needs work -- and THEN provide a means for him to work on it?
I'll be interested in your views on this. I would very much like to begin a course of clinics in my leage and district, but it would be great to learn from experience first. Or do most of you go with the conventional wisdom that a zone is a zone so shut up and swing. I'll be interested in hearing your thoughts.
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You siad it earlier, "your zone is your zone".
However, to answer your question on teaching a zone, teach the benchmarks and hallmarks of calling the pitch. Track the ball all the way from the beginning of the pitchers motion all the way to the glove. Pause and read where the pitch was, then call the pitch.
There will be some who disagree with the following, however, this is how I have constructed, reconstructed, and modified my zone. I tend to use some easily recognized landmarks, and I rely on the catcher to make my job easier. This way if anyone complains, they can ask the catcher. Most catchers recognize my zone as fair, consistent, and neither a hitters or pitchers zone.
a) Call the zone of least resistance, use the catcher to help you decide the pitch. A pitch that bouces is virtually (99% of the time) a ball - exception is the big 12/6 curve that mirrors a slowpitch softball pitch.
b) The low end - hollow below the knees or at the knees. Use the catchers knees for a reference. Usually, in the squat, the catchers knees are between 2 and 4 inches below the batters knees. By using this reference point, if the catcher catches the ball at or above his knees, it's probably a strike assuming it between the inside and outside of your zone, otherwise if it's below - ball it. The obvious exception is the looping 12/6 curve or the sinking changeup that is gloved below his knees, but doesn't bounce into the glove.
c) The inside corner, if your in the slot properly, your nose should be an inch or two inside of plate. A ball caught that splits your nose is probably a strike if its between the top, bottom and outside corner, if its inside of your nose (batters side), ball it it's too far inside.
d) The upper end, use the batters elbows (preferable the front because it's infront of the batters body) or slightly below depending upon the level of ball (higher levels, you drop more below the letters, almost to between the elbows and the belly button). This should also be about where your head should be.
e) The outside corner, If you use the inch or two methodogy on the inside corner, mirror it on the outside corner. This is pure judgement here, but you can use the catcher again, if he reaches out for it and you see or smell the armpit, ball it, it's too far out.
f) Slow down, see the pitch, watch the catch, see if you can't read the mfg label on the glove every pitch, then make your call.
I hope this helps.