Two wrongs making a right?

[Carl Childress]

Originally posted by BigUmp56
You didn't mention anything about making the call to teach someone a lesson. From the limited information you provided you only mentioned that he was advocating looking to call close pitches strikes. That's what we're supposed to do, look to call borderline (close) pitches strikes.


Tim.

Tim: I am one of those who hate the phrase "looking for strikes." I have a 20-minute tirade on a tape I did for RightSports. It's "Working the Plate."

Briefly:

If you look for strikes, you will inevitably call pitches strikes that ain't and do a disservice to the game and the players.

Don't expand your strike zone to get batters to hit. It creates irrevocable dissonance for disciplied, well-coached hitters.

To paraphrase "God," (Doug Harvey), the batter has as much right to make a living in this game as the pitcher.

I hope you're not offended, but I've never met a really good umpire who said he went out looking to call strikes.

Never, not in over 50 years.

Good umpires go out looking to call pitches right, whether strikes or balls.