|
Went to my local high school baseball clinic last weekend and one of the instructors talked about "chirping". He had a slightly different take on this- one that I like and may try.
(I knew if I went to enough baseball clinics that, eventually, I'd pick up something useful for softball! But they sure weren't too thrilled with my "heel/toe" plate stance, good pelvic alignment to the outside corner, or following pitches by keeping my nose on the ball. Note to self: When in Rome...)
The instructor's take on the question, "Where was that pitch?", was that there were only four acceptable answers- either "up", "down", "in" or "out".
By keeping the reply one-word, you explain your reasoning behind the call in a quick and efficient manner. Really, what more information does the catcher need to know? Your call of ball or strike makes it obvious whether or not you thought the pitch was in or out of the strike zone.
The one-word answer shows that you are willing to answer the catcher's question, yet unwilling to entertain lengthy discussion about pitch location. You are being cooperative and providing the requested information, while at the same time making it known that this isn't a subject on which we're going to dwell.
By adding commentary beyond "up, down, in, out", such as, "Just a little bit off the plate", it could make you look less-sure of your call, or that you're guessing on the borderline pitches. It can also pigeonhole you on future calls. If you explained that one pitch was, "Just a little outside", and another pitch comes in "just a little" closer to the plate, the catcher is going to expect a strike, even if your judgment is that it's still a little off the plate.
That last point jibes with the explanation of why we do not routinely announce pitch locations as part of our typical "ball" calls (for example, we are supposed to say, "Ball", not, "Ball, outside"). Don't give the person asking, "Where was that pitch", any possible ammunition to pick away at your reasoning or judgment on subsequent pitches.
I know that over the years I've answered the question, "Where was that pitch", in any number of ways, including most that have been offered in this thread. I've said, "Just a little bit high", "Down below the knee", "Just off the corner", or, "Out of the strike zone". I think I'll try the one-word approach and see how that works in a game situation.
|