Calling Balls

[Rich]

I don't give location and I won't give location on the initial "BALL" call.

Why give managers an opening like that? I call a pitch a BALL -- it's borderline high and outside, for example. If I tell the manager it's high and he disagrees he's going to start chipping. If I call it outside, the catcher disagree and get word back to the manager, who will then start chipping.

Most umpires I know see the strike zone as an oval -- if it is borderline high OR outside, for example, it's a strike. If it misses or is really borderline in TWO dimensions (high AND outside), it's a ball.

Now, how do you explain that while calling a pitch?

Major league umpires can do whatever they want to. They work in a different world. I would never recommend that an amateur umpire give location on a pitch.

I will if I'm asked in the right way, of course.

Rich