Framing pitches

[AAUA96]

[/B][/QUOTE]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. [/B][/QUOTE]

That is the point. You will make a different call on a pitch in the same place, depending how the catcher catches the ball. If he is set up a little outside and the pitch hits him square in the mit - strike. If the catcher is set up inside and he has to reach for a pitch a little outside - ball. In the first case, it looked like it could be a strike to everybody at the field. In the second case, it didn't look like a strike to anybody.

If you make the expected call, you get less grief. If the players execute (pitcher hits his spot - catcher is set up in the right place), they get the reward of a pitch on the edge of the zone.