Strike zone

[buckweat]

Originally Posted by Dave Hensley

You two are confused because you're too busy arguing to spend any effort listening.

??????????

Although it may well be that we’re arguing, it does seem as though WhatWuzThatBlue, who so far is the only one I’ve seen who’s been to pro school, appears to be leaning toward the side of the argument that says, the call is supposed to be decided based on where it is during the time reaches the front edge of the plate until it passes the rear point.

That also seems to be what the people setting up and using QuesTec are saying, and that’s one of the primary training tools MLB uses to train umps.

Other than that, I don’t see any big difference of opinion. There’s a lot of folks who are bound and determined to let any number of other factors, including catchers, coaches, fans, traditions, what type of pitch was thrown, or whatever, influence the call, and that seems to be the only “bone of contention”.

I don’t think there’s any longer any doubt at all that the zone isn’t a pane of glass suspended over the front edge of the plate, but rather something in 3 dimensions, not two. I’m perfectly willing to leave how its shaped or where it is up to anyone who gets behind the plate. That’s their judgment and depends on their experience and ability to make that judgment.

But, whatever that size and shape is, and there’s no doubt it will be different for every umpire, a ball that touches it has to be called a strike or it will only add to inconsistency.