Strike zone

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by NIump50

so if a pitcher has the ability to throw such a pitch and spot it in the perfect position why would you call it crap? I call it talent and a damn good pitch.
Think through your reasoning
a pitch hits the strike zone and you don't call it.
Under normal circumstances I see only 2 possible reasons.
1. You're a lemming. If no one else is going to call a strike a strike neither am I. I'm following the crowd.
or
2. You're a coward. I want to appease the crowd and coaches. The ball is picked at the ankles and the path of least resistance is a called ball, despite the fact that i saw it catch the knee over the plate. I'm going to penalize the pitcher because I don't want to take the heat.

If there is another reason for calling it a ball please enlighten me.

3. Because that is the way it is done when working shaving age players. There. That is the other reason. Neither one of the other two reasons you listed are applicable.

The only pitcher I've ever umpired with a good enough curve to call a strike if it hit the dirt was Barry Zito, and his catcher knew enough to pick it clean and not allow it to hit the ground!