Catchers and Close Calls

[uflshark]

QUESTION: Do catchers get more close calls called their way (i.e. a ball instead of a strike) because they chat with the umpire during games?

Some people believe in this theory, some people don't. I wanted to get an opinion straight from the source.

[mrm21711]

No way, I dont do that. Thats not fair that somebody who chats gets an edge....personally I do not skew my objectivity toward anybody and remain on an even "level" no matter if hes the nicest person in the world or cussin every word i guess

[jicecone]

Only twice, in many years of officiating this game, have I purposely call a pitch something different than what I saw. Both times were to get a message across to a pitcher, who was in charge of the game.

NEVER, NEVER have I called a pitch for anything than what I observed. Granted, I have missed a few. But to call pitches for any other reason would be totally against everthing I have learned about officiating the dish.

This sounds like a media thing. Sometimes they really believe that just because they have all the time in the world to analyze a call after the fact,that the official actually takes that much time analizing the call, before the fact. We react to what we see, based upon our previous experience and knowledge, for similar situations.

Those officials that make it up based upon relationships before, during or after a game, aren't worth the dirt they sweep off the plate during a game.

[Hugo Tafurst2]

Basically, I try to call all pitches the same and I'll never say otherwise!! :-)

However, recently, I was talked to an umpire (who works at higher levels than I and I have a bit of respect for) who was talking about sometimes giving a ball to the catcher on certain "close" pitches.

His theory was that then he wouldn't be as likely to complain about his pitcher missing...

He wasn't talking about the old "Maddox Stike", he was talking about truely borderline pitches. Pitches that to anyone else he would probably call a strike....
Close enough pitches to remember that there are no ties in baseball...

Just a thought.....

[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by uflshark
QUESTION: Do catchers get more close calls called their way (i.e. a ball instead of a strike) because they chat with the umpire during games?

Some people believe in this theory, some people don't. I wanted to get an opinion straight from the source.

IMO the person who MOST determines the close ones is F1 NOT F2. By that I mean if F1 is struggling and all over the place , he is less likely to get the close / borderline strike then an F1 with a good command of the zone.

Pete Booth

[David B]

I've heard of this before, but never observed it.

If anything, F2 should know the zone (he's been watching it all game).

He knows what I'm going to call, he knows if its borderline its going to be a strike so he knows to swing.

And most of the time, they might be mad but they are willing to talk about it also.

Thanks
DAvid

[DG]

Catchers should know a good pitch when they see it. No need for an edge. Call it like you see it.