I call anything below the chest and above the bottom of the knee a strike for all age levels. I call the black and an inch on the inside, I call the black and 2 ball widths on the outside for all age levels.

If the game dictates that the strike zone is unreasonable, I open it up for both teams. Some new umps have the impression that their job is to keep games close and they pinch good pitchers and help weak pitchers. The job is to keep the game fair.

Younger players are difficult because the ball often comes in with arc. It starts at the eyes and then it hits the dirt. Just remember that in order for the ball to go from too high to in the dirt it had to go through the strike zone.

The most important thing I learned as an ump calling strikes is to watch the ball all the way in to the catchers mitt, replay the pitch in my head for a second and then call the pitch. On all calls, don't rush!

Good Luck.

"Puuleeze, tell me that you were
JOKING
when you said you didn't give the pitchers strikes OFF the plate?"



No sir, I was dead serious. I am also interested in learning the right way to call balls and strikes; that is why I posted the original post. Do you have anything to contribute?

Take Notice
 

that almost all of us advocate calling a pitch OFF of the plate a STRIKE.

C Rabby, I don't know how far you aspire to go. I also know that I wouldn't want you calling balls and strikes in any game I'm coaching if you're not calling strikes off of the plate.

The outside pitch is hard to get right. Almost as hard as getting the knee pitch correct. Just about all new umpires that haven't had some serious instruction seem unable to call these pitches consistently.

Some words from the guys that have taught me to call balls and strikes:

"There are 8 defensive players, 1 batter and at least 2 umpires wanting some kid to throw a strike. Don't MAKE the kid throw a strike, LET him throw a strike."

That theory kinda guides my zone from game to game. BTW, he wasn't referring to Youth ball either. This was at our state FED umpire camp.

Call strikes, call a lot of em, then get 20 more strikes.

Will

OK.. we will accept that. You have to take the secret oath of silence, because this is OUR secret (umpires).

A pitch can be FAT, hittable, belt to top of knees, one full ball width off the plate 3". CALL THIS A STRIKE everytime! NObody on the planet knows the exact location of this pitch except YOU and the catcher. No one will grumble, no one will complain. You will probably only call it once or twice.. the rest of the time it will be HIT or fouled off. But batters swinging will be established.

Other than self torture.. there is no reason to force a pitcher to hit "white" in this area.

"OK.. we will accept that. You have to take the secret oath of silence, because this is OUR secret (umpires)."


Thanks for all the info. As I said, I am a rank amateur, and respect what you all have to say. My sincere thanks again.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bluezebra
[B]Don't widen your zone to where the batters can't reach the ball.

Bluezebra has the right ideal, especially for 9-10.
Most of these little guys cannot reach out as far as
I have read most of you guys are making your strike
zone. Bet you have lots of no no's. Bring ball in
down, let'em hit.:D

Well, if I were you, I'd give them several inches of slack. As for the high balls, if they are above the collar bone area of the batter, it's gotta be a ball.

And if the pitch is 10 inches outside and they step across the plate so they can reach it, you didn't see anything.

Everyone seems to endorse calling off the outside edge of the plate. I would recommend calling the inside part of the plate, especially if the batter is hanging over the plate.

Some batters (especially the little guys) will come to plate with the sole intent draw a walk. They crowd the plate hoping the ump will call that tight inside pitch (especially when they jump back) a ball and the pitch outside will be balled as well.

Call those pitches on the inside a strike and two positive results will generally occur. One, the batter will back off the plate as he can't handle getting the bat around on the next inside strike you call. Two, the batters on both teams will come up swinging, not expecting to draw a walk.

strike zone for 9-10 yr olds
 

remember that at this age they are just learning - I use a
liberal strike zone - 3-4 inches off the outside corner, not more that 1-2 off the inside, just on the shoulders, and on the knees. The pitchers nned to know how to hit the zone. nobody is learning anythong if we walk 15 batters.

If the game is out of hand, then I open it up some more for teh team that is ahead, and I so inform the coaches.

I think you'd be surprised as to how far those little guys can reach.

Remember, hitting is not done from an upright position. If the ball is off the outside corner, Little Johnny should have no trouble reaching out and striking it.

Go ahead - take a kid, hand him a bat, tell him to get in the box, and see just how far he can reach. You'll be amazed. In some cases, they can reach well into the opposite batter's box.

Jim
Sounds like some advice that I will take
and apply. Let you know how it works. I
just dont want to take the bat out of the
young pups paws. They are off the leash
letem play. Thanks :D

your strike zone
 

"Your strike zone?" "My strike zone?" the last time I looked at the rule book, the strike zone was defined. Letting each umpire define the strike zone differently is what got us to the point where MLB had to order the umpires to follow the rules, instead of calling everything above the belt a ball. What's the difference between saying "my strike zone is 3" outside" and "my fair zone is 3" outside of third base" or "if the throw doesn't beat the runner by at least a full step, I'm calling him safe"? No difference at all, except that everyone in the park is going to see you're wrong, whereas they won't see that the outside strike you just called is a ball.

When you're working youth leagues you are teaching everyone, not just the hitter. Specifically, you're also teaching the pitcher that he doesn't have to get the ball over the plate. Do you really think that's a good idea? Not me. An umpire who calls strikes out of the true (rulebook-defined) strike zone is interfering with the balance of the game by helping pitchers who can't find the zone. You're not letting them play their game, you're actively affecting the outcome by not following the rules.

Re: your strike zone
 

<i> Originally posted by vtjack [/i]

<b> When you're working youth leagues you are teaching everyone, not just the hitter. Specifically, you're also teaching the pitcher that he doesn't have to get the ball over the plate. Do you really think that's a good idea? Not me. An umpire who calls strikes out of the true (rulebook-defined) strike zone is interfering with the balance of the game by helping pitchers who can't find the zone. You're not letting them play their game, you're actively affecting the outcome by not following the rules. </b>

In some youth leagues one is lucky enough if a kid can reach the plate let alone get it in the strike zone.

Rules were written for players that have certain abilities.
When the rule-makers defined the strike zone I'm certain that they didn't have 9/10 yr. old "rugrats" in mind.

The OBR rules as written are for the professional athlete. Yes kids have to learn the rules, but it is gradual. If your going to have a league that allows kids 9/10 yrs. old to pitch, then you need a broader definition of the strike zone otherwise you will still be playing.

Most youth leagues that I know of do in fact have a broader defintion of the zone at that age. Also, no-one likes a walk-a-thon.

Now if you umpire an advanced league (Probably travel) where individuals have to try out and make the team and the talent level is strong, then one doesn't have to <b> taint </b> the zone as much.

Also, do not have a <b> postage </b> for a zone

Pete Booth

9/10 Yr. Olds
 

Dont know exactly what I learned Sat. nite,
but a friend talked me into helping do a
9/10yr Little League game. The score after
six (6) innings was 31-26. Walk-a-thorn.
I now remember why I stopped doing 9-10yr.
olds. 4hrs 12mins. They did swing at the few
that crossed the plate. The curfew liked to
have ended the game. :D