[Rich]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

1) No. I would never prohibit bucket sitting. To do so is considered very OOO in my area. As long as nobody intentionally interferes, the coaches are allowed on their buckets, even if they are slightly into live ball territory.

2) No. I would never alter the strike zone to make a point. I call balls balls and strikes strikes. I don't care for umpires who don't say "Ball" on balls. It makes everyone guess. If the batter takes off before I call it, it's either a strike or a ball, depending on pitch location only. I love to make them come back too, but only if the pitches are strikes.

And make sure you hesitate and extra second or so, just so the batter gets further down the line....