Strike zone

[Rich]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

The key to calling ball and strikes is consistancy.
I have developed what I call "the strike zone of least resistance". The pitch must be at or below about 2" above the belt. Nothing below the hollow beneath the knee. A little bit in is OK, I'll grab it for a strike. 2-3" out and I can get it.

Now it's story time- I was working a summer adult wood bat league game last week. In the 3rd or 4th, a pitch comes in for a high strike, and I call it a strike (I should've balled it). The batter looks at me and says, "That was a ball my last at bat." I said "It was a strike that time." He shakes his head digs in and we go. Next pitch was in the same spot... "Ball" He (the batter) looked at me and I said "See, it's a ball again."
In the parking lot after the game the batter approached me and said, "I guess everyone misses them once in a while?" I said, "I didn't miss it, I'm schitzophrenic." We had a good laugh

Hardly anyone complains on the high strike anymore. We've been calling it for a few years and just about anything below the letters is an easy one to grab. This started in the NCAA and MLB and has trickled down.

Why restrict yourself to 2" above the belt?

[ctblu40]

Because if I called the high strike all the time, I'd be the only umpire in my association and probably the state calling it.

[mbyron]

I don't really have anything to add. I'd just like to see this thread get to 20 pages. Thanks for reading!

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Hardly anyone complains on the high strike anymore. We've been calling it for a few years and just about anything below the letters is an easy one to grab. This started in the NCAA and MLB and has trickled down.

Why restrict yourself to 2" above the belt?

Rich:

Let me ask you a question. I know you work juniors and seniors in the Summer and college and HS in the Spring. How age dependant is the height of your strike zone, if it is at all? I find myself holding the older players to a higher standard to keep the ball down then I do the younger players.


Tim.

[Justme]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Hardly anyone complains on the high strike anymore. We've been calling it for a few years and just about anything below the letters is an easy one to grab. This started in the NCAA and MLB and has trickled down.

Why restrict yourself to 2" above the belt?

My upper zone was about 1 fist above the belt (about 3"-4") for many years. The move to the higher strike zone has enabled me to about double that (just below the letters)...... I like it!

"Strike" is my second favorite word in baseball.

[Tim C]

I am rather surprised that the "high Strike" is even mentioned.

I work a pretty high quality of baseball and we are expected to call anything below the letters a strike (see 'justme' above) and there is never a peep about it.

Since I do not work "non-shaving aged players" I would guess that that strike zone could even be bigger.

The days (even in the hotbed of baseball, Connecticut) of ending the high strike at 2" above the belt is a thing of the past. Every upper level evaluator looks for the "high strike" as a given in this modern age.

Regards,

[NIump50]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I am rather surprised that the "high Strike" is even mentioned.

I work a pretty high quality of baseball and we are expected to call anything below the letters a strike (see 'justme' above) and there is never a peep about it.

Since I do not work "non-shaving aged players" I would guess that that strike zone could even be bigger.

Generally speaking anything at or above the letters is out of the textbook strikezone, not only that but it is also generally above the elbows and close to the hands. If you call the proper zone the advantage is already with the pitcher, calling a strike at or above the letters puts the batter at a severe disadvantage. Non shaving kids have less strength and quickness than shaving kids so it would put them at an even larger disadvantage.
I would not advocate raising the strike zone for the kids.