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Originally Posted by Dukat
I have to chirp in here with something and ask the experts opinions. I only umpire softball and have so for about 5 years now. My zone is known to be higher than others and tighter width-wise but still by the book. I have read many of the threads from coaches asking why we don't call the "Book Zone" and also the responses so I know the clinics interp of dropping and raising and giving more corners but I have called the same zone (Which BTW is closer to the book zone) for years and everyone knows it and after years of doing something one way your mind gets accustomed to it and since I am very consistent with it I almost always get good ratings. Do not get me wrong; My zone is not out of the official strike zone but I have heard many people comment I have a "High Zone" when I call the pitch that one girl once complained "That was up around my bosoms" Well The book states that Armpits to knees and I have never seen a "bosom" above the armpits.
With all that said, I have seen all the threads on the clinic zone and I do not understand why that zone is better than mine when I can give the book definition to a coach that has any questions and they have no response so what would be the advantage to change?
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Its not that the "other" zone is better than yours..its that a lot ( I hesitate to say "most" but that really what I mean) of umpire chop the top off the zone, and extend it a little (One ball inside, a little more outside.) The players dont want the high pitch called a strike (It's harder to hit).... For lower levels of ball, you can adjust a little, But I would say for anything 14u and above, try to use that strike zone. It reduces the grief you will get.