[SAump]

Wow, I'm taking a lot a heat for preaching a liberal strike zone. My message has been consistent in this thread and if it is consistently wrong then so be it. I can accept it. I realized the thread turned into a discusion over the real strike zone and not the gray area nearby. I have no qualms about anyone else's strike zone. But I now know that any explanation or account I offer will never meet the raised expectations of half the viewing gallery, whether I call it a ball or strike.

I first stole pitches in post #3 of this thread. I said it is hard to steal a pitch from the top and bottom of the zone. I said it is much easier to take them inside and outside. I did not post again until page 4-5. I took exception to Kevin's assertion about an umpire being fair to both sides. I wrote several theme-related "episodes" about this undesirable position and posted the true strike zone, (3) + 3 + 17 + 3 + (3), seen here in black. I stated it is preferable to everyone involved to be fair to the pitchers because the batter's task at the plate is much easier to accomplish, whether one may consider this to be fair or foul {T/F?} assessment.

I began my reply w/ a MLB hitter's size and how much harder it is to pitch around him. Kevin stated a ball scraping the plate is a strike. I agreed those were textbook strikes and the goal of every good pitcher from LL to MLB. If touching the plate is fine, then scraping the plate is much better. I included 3 inches in red as "gray" area where I would judge the pitchers effectiveness at missing his true target which is a catcher's mitt located on the edge of the plate. I realize no pitch is perfect because the batter can still destroy it all with a good swing.