Framing pitches

[SC Ump]

Originally posted by Dave Hensley
Or, we can recognize that sometimes the calls aren't quite as easy as "a ball is a ball and a strike is a strike," and we can look to more advanced concepts in our approach to umpiring...

Oh, I don't deny that there's more to the "ball's a ball, strike's a strike" philosophy than where the ball is. I'm still one that gives a half a ball or so on the outside corner... but not if the catcher is set up two inches inside and has to dive out there to catch the pitch. I will probably not call a strike on a slow curve that just nicks the front knee area of the strike zone but bounces into the catchers glove.

However, I hope I don't now or in the future use "framing" as part of my decision in ruling a strike or a ball.