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Canadaump
I think discussions concerning the strike zone are difficult at best.
I look at how an umpire calls strikes and balls as the most "personal" decision process in all of sport officiating.
While it is true that all sports have calls that are made over-and-over (i.e. is football holding calls could be made on every play and in basketball there is the true use of the Tower Principle) strikes and balls spread out over a long period of time with sometimes a number of different people throwing (and catching) balls to hitters of all sizes.
Calling strikes and balls is part art and part science.
I think any good umpire uses everything around him to decide on the final result of a pitch. (I no longer refuse to call strikes on cock-shots just because F2 mishandles the pitch.)
There is fine line between "framing" and "pulling". Most young catchers can tell the difference. Average umpires cannot tell the difference either.
The shape of a strike zone (for me) is like an egg. The plate is 22" wide (for me).
A pitch is a strike unless proven otherwise and I no longer have an over dramtic called third strike mechanic.
Strikes are my friend.
Regards,
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