"What's your strike zone?"

[DownTownTonyBrown]

Originally posted by EMD
I never answer that questions, why give a coach something he can use against you later. I watched a game when the PU provided a definition of "his zone." When a coach disagreed he hollered, "That wasn't a strike in the pre-game!"

After watching that conversation for 3 innings, I decided never give more information to a coach than required. Besides, we all read the same rule book.

I can't agree more. It just gives them something to gouge you with. The first time your perception differs from theirs you are going to hear about it... so why try to define your perception?

It only takes a few pitches to find out so let's wait until they happen.

[bbump82]

Originally posted by greymule
Why not be honest?

"It depends on the overall quality of the pitching and hitting, the score, the count, the outs, how far the game has progressed, my mood at the time of the pitch, and whether the pitch involves anyone who has been mouthing off."

Because of the exact reason that EMD had in his post. But I can go one better, I had the pleasure of doing the field in a game that the PU did this. During the plate meeting, and I quote; "..., I want your guys swinging, strikes will be shoulders to the knees, and a couple of ball widths of each side of the plate."

I almost choked, we then preceded to play a very looooooooong game because he actually didn't call anywhere near a big of a strike zone as he indicated.

The rats get enough material to argue about on their own, why should I give them more to work with?

[briancurtin]

Originally posted by Striker991
"Hey Blue! What's your Strike Zone?"

Any pitch that is not in the ball zone!

i like this one haha

[LDUB]

Originally posted by bbump82
The rats get enough material to argue about on their own, why should I give them more to work with?

Because you feel like ejecting someone.

[bluezebra]

My reply always was, "I don't have one. I quit playing years ago. If you want to know the definition of the strike zone, read the rule book. If you want me to hold a clinic on the rules, we'll do it after the game, and I charge $20 an hour".

Bob

[bbump82]

Originally posted by LDUB

Because you feel like ejecting someone.

LDUB, that would be a good reason, but I still don't think I will start discussing it at the plate. As far as dumping, from what I have read on this site in the past, I don't do enough of it. I don't work an awful lot of games, but in the five years that I have been officiating, I've only dumped two people (one coach & one player). I had one a couple of weeks ago that was close. Was commenting on my zone to the point that I asked him if he wanted to argue about it. He realized where I was going and decided he wanted to stay. Smart, who said you can't teach a rat something?

[Tim C]

Well when Doug Harvey was asked his strike zone he kept it simple:

And "God" said: "If I like it, it is a strike!"

Nuff said for me.

[Edited by Tim C on Jul 26th, 2005 at 12:48 PM]

[mcrowder]

bbump, please contact http://www.comedy.com and purchase a sense of humor.

[cowbyfan1]

Originally posted by tornado
Hittable pitches.

Wow! I really hope your definition of a hittable pitch is different than mine.

[Rich Coyle]

"Tell them to come up prepared to swing the bats."

[officialtony]

My son was asked what kind of strike zone I had when a did a game some of his buddies were in. He told them ( and I told him this because I read it somewhere - probably here ), " if my dad is behind the plate, you better be swinging with two strikes ".
I use the same philosophy as was stated earlier by Tee as a quote to Doug Harvey - if I like it, it is a strike.
( that measn it was in MY strike zone and that is good enough for me !)

[bbump82]

Originally posted by mcrowder
bbump, please contact http://www.comedy.com and purchase a sense of humor.

Hey, thanks for the link!

I might have to use it someday, when I actually try to crack a joke.

[Stripes1950]

I worked with several different umpires over the years and found that they generally have a much wider zone than I do although I like to give the pitchers the corners. I probably call a higher strike (letters and knees) but if asked prior to the game, I just tell them that "I call 'em as I see 'em." After the first inning or so, the crabbing usually stops. What it comes down to is when I played as a catcher, I liked the umps who were consistent. If he called a ball below the knee for both teams, then I knew where to set up.

[Diamondgal]

I had to ask myself where my strike zone was during a couple of innings today! Yuck!!

[cowbyfan1]

The rare times I have been asked I just reply with either a "your about to see" or "where I call it". Been a couple years since I have heard someone ask that tho.