i, too, often wonder if i'm not generous enuf with the strike zone ... dare i bring up the black "non-plate" perimeter around some of the home plates out there ???
i still say it's not plate, but i do call strikes if the edge of the ball is over the black ... but i never call a strike if the ball's a couple inches inside or outside ... that just seems wrong
if i give anything, it's usually the odd shoulder-high pitch or a-little-below-the-knee pitch when i feel the game needs a little spicing up (too many walks or one team blowing away the other)
and, i coach, too, and often find myself "encouraging" the ump any time they are hesitating on a ball/strike call ... any hesitation and i yell "there it is!!!, great pitch !!!" (i think it works more often than not) ... then, if he/she calls a ball, i yell "that must have been close!!" or something similar
so, you're not alone, little jimmy ... if that makes you feel any better !!
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bobbrix
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