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Originally Posted by David B
Your question has been answered; however, I just wanted to add again that the pitch you described should be called a ball everytime.
Now, we see this pitch called a strike very often, (seen it a lot on TV lately); however, you won't see that pitch called a strike in baseball.
As I often describe it, small ball is a different world with umpires who often just want to go home, help out a local league, etc.,
If you make the kids throw strikes, they will learn to throw strikes. If we reward them by calling balls a strike, we have taught them nothing.
Thanks
David
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David, thanks for your kind response. A breath of fresh air. I don't disagree with you on making them call strikes. Again, it may be a difference in the two sports, but if a ball passes through the strike zone, I'm confused how it can be anything else. Are we basing it on where everyone perceives it to be because of where it's caught? In baseball maybe it should be called a ball everytime. In softball there's no way that's called a ball. With pitching from 43' and the spin and speed of a change-up in softball, it can very easily hit the strike zone and drop to the catcher's feet. If I call that a ball in a college game I assure you I'd be back in HS in no time. I guess it's the difference between two sports.
My mistake was comparing two different sports. I realize that most baseball and softball umpires ride each other about their respective sports but some of these people take it to another level. Some good natured ribbing can be fun - but my gosh, some of you hate me because I umpire softball. Get a life! I don't think you are a horrible person because you umpire baseball nor do I think you are a horrible umpire because some of you are an a$$. Shoot, I don't even think you are horrible because you call the pitch in question a ball. I was just trying to explain why I think it's a strike - in my sport.
Sorry to have offended some of you. David, again, thanks for at least being civil.