[jumpmaster]

Your question is verbatim what I asked when I joined my local umpires association earlier this year. The following explanation was provided.

"At the level of baseball that we work, HS and below, we don't see pitchers that have the talent of those in the "bigs". If we are to enforce the strikezone as written in the rule book, which is owned and created by MLB, we would be on the field all day and all night into next week. This is not a good situation for the players, coaches, umps or parents. In general it is not good for the game. By expanding the zone a bit, we accomplish a couple of things. One, we move the game along for the enjoyment of all, participants and fans. Two, we help force kids to take a swing at that outside pitch and learn that they really can hit it, just like coach/mom/dad said. The nature of our role in amatuer baseball is that of a teacher, coach and mentor to all participants of the sport. So, for the good of the game, expand, if needed, the strike zone."

When I was told this, by a senior official, I thought skeptically, no way, not me. The rule book says this, that is what I will enforce. Then, I worked my first game. 3 1/2 hours, 7 innings, JV baseball. The kids were miserable, the coaches were livid, the parents were hot, and me, I was thinking this umpire stuff SUCKS! After the game, another of the senior umpires, who called my games when I was a player 10-15 years ago, did a little teaching and coaching for me. He said open the zone up, explained what he meant, showed me what he meant, and guess what. . .I am hooked as an umpire for life. I am proud to say that my game has gotten much better and the other night I did a 7 inning game in 1 hour and 40 minutes. . .big deal, why does time matter? Because there were only 6 strikeouts all night. So for the good of the game, I will follow the advice of my senior umpires and open it up when the pitcher needs help finding that zone.

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jumpmaster al