More confrentation issues...

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by DG

Call a bigger zone in these games, not as high as the shoulder, but at least 6 inches above the belly button. I have also been called a low strike umpire, but nobody complains they just adjust. It's the hollow beneath the knee thing so I call it.

Be more generous with strikes at this level and the games will move faster, ("he's going to call that pitch every time Johnny, you have to swing the bat"), and there will be no stalkers in the parking lot.

What if you got a hard throwing kid... the batter will never be able to hit a good fastball at the letters... its just not fair to the batter in my mind.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

What if you got a hard throwing kid... the batter will never be able to hit a good fastball at the letters... its just not fair to the batter in my mind.

So let me get this straight: you call the strike zone by the book and age- and league-appropriate, and you get outs faster, and that's UNFAIR? To whom? Do you think umpires ought to ensure as many hits as possible in the game? Do you adjust your strike zone to every different kind of pitcher so that batters have a better shot at 'em?

[DG]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

What if you got a hard throwing kid... the batter will never be able to hit a good fastball at the letters... its just not fair to the batter in my mind.

So if a hard thrower throws a changeup knee high on the inside corner on an 0-2 count you call that a ball too, because it's not fair to the batter? Be fair to the pitcher. Any part of the ball goes through any part of the zone and it's a strike. That makes the zone about 2 inches bigger on all sides and particularly for 12's.

Now I know what the b*tch was b*tching about. You have a hitter bias. Any chance her son was a pitcher, or catcher?

A good fastball above the belly button should be MEAT to a good 12 year older hitter. Call it if they don't swing at it. Coach of the offensive team will be hollering "you gotta crush that pitch Johnny".

A pitch at the letters is too high on most uniforms.

[rookieblue]

"Ma'am, I have only one woman in this world that I have to listen to and she is waiting at home for me right now!" I excused myself and drove off leaving her standing there.

Oh . . . my. With your permission, Ozzy, that one goes in the permanent file.

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by DG

So if a hard thrower throws a changeup knee high on the inside corner on an 0-2 count you call that a ball too, because it's not fair to the batter? Be fair to the pitcher. Any part of the ball goes through any part of the zone and it's a strike. That makes the zone about 2 inches bigger on all sides and particularly for 12's.

Now I know what the b*tch was b*tching about. You have a hitter bias. Any chance her son was a pitcher, or catcher?

A good fastball above the belly button should be MEAT to a good 12 year older hitter. Call it if they don't swing at it. Coach of the offensive team will be hollering "you gotta crush that pitch Johnny".

DG, yes, I will call a good changeup that passes through the strike zone a strike, no matter where it is.

If the age group is at the age where kids can throw hard, then inches above the belly button should not be a stike (with respect to the distance they are away from the plate, 65mph at 50 feet is throwing pretty hard)

A good fastball above the belly button is not "MEAT" to any hitter. And its not a strike in accordance with USSSA baseball rules which uses the MLB book.

If you want to go by the book, don't call it a strike. Thats the fairest thing to do, no?

[NFump]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

DG, yes, I will call a good changeup that passes through the strike zone a strike, no matter where it is.

If the age group is at the age where kids can throw hard, then inches above the belly button should not be a stike (with respect to the distance they are away from the plate, 65mph at 50 feet is throwing pretty hard)

A good fastball above the belly button is not "MEAT" to any hitter. And its not a strike in accordance with USSSA baseball rules which uses the MLB book.

If you want to go by the book, don't call it a strike. Thats the fairest thing to do, no?

Could you post that strike zone rule here for me Tuss? My Sporting News edition of the Official Baseball Rules(2006) says different. It's got a picture and everything. It sure looks like the top of the zone is above the belly button to me(especially for 12 year olds).

[DG]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

DG, yes, I will call a good changeup that passes through the strike zone a strike, no matter where it is.

If the age group is at the age where kids can throw hard, then inches above the belly button should not be a stike (with respect to the distance they are away from the plate, 65mph at 50 feet is throwing pretty hard)

A good fastball above the belly button is not "MEAT" to any hitter. And its not a strike in accordance with USSSA baseball rules which uses the MLB book.

If you want to go by the book, don't call it a strike. Thats the fairest thing to do, no?

My Sporting News MLB book says the top of the strike zone is a horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants. The belly button is just above the uniform pants and considerably South of the horizontal line just described.

The last 12 year old league I coached in was very competetive and if you threw too many pitches just above the belly button you wouldn't last long on the mound.

[Tim C]

Tuss, obviously under the influence of LSD noted:

"If the age group is at the age where kids can throw hard, then inches above the belly button should not be a stike . . . "

What a crock of $h1t!

You have taken the responsibility of equalization of offense and defense.

Sad, just sad!!!

Umpire the game don't coach it!

What a worthless thought of umpiring.

Regards,

[Justme]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

If the age group is at the age where kids can throw hard, then inches above the belly button should not be a stike (with respect to the distance they are away from the plate, 65mph at 50 feet is throwing pretty hard)

A good fastball above the belly button is not "MEAT" to any hitter. And its not a strike in accordance with USSSA baseball rules which uses the MLB book.

If you want to go by the book, don't call it a strike. Thats the fairest thing to do, no?

TussAgee11:

It is obvious from this post (and others you have made) that you have very limited umpire experience, if any at all, and appear to be making posts to irritate those on this board who take umpiring seriously......oh my God, I may have just discovered.......dare I say it......a Troll

[Rich]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

DG, yes, I will call a good changeup that passes through the strike zone a strike, no matter where it is.

If the age group is at the age where kids can throw hard, then inches above the belly button should not be a stike (with respect to the distance they are away from the plate, 65mph at 50 feet is throwing pretty hard)

A good fastball above the belly button is not "MEAT" to any hitter. And its not a strike in accordance with USSSA baseball rules which uses the MLB book.

If you want to go by the book, don't call it a strike. Thats the fairest thing to do, no?

Maybe you ought to read the rule book again.

[Cub42]

If you are serious and want to improve, here are some rules to follow, many already suggested by previous posts:
1) get paid before the game
2)when a coach complains about balls and strikes, loud enough for you to hear it,first look directly at him and let him know you hear him with a direct stare. My experience is they will hide right away. If he tries the old trick of asking the catcher where it is, or commenting about your zone, he has now carried on too much. Call time and tell him this is his warning for arguing balls and strikes. Write it down on the lineup card. If he makes any comments from there on, that are audible to the crowd, he has ejected himself.
3) don't think, call strikes
4) Your partner should never leave before you for this exact reason. If you are approached, simply tell them the game is over and have no interaction at all. Believe me, this will come back as you cursed, admitted to cheating, and were intoxicated. Never talk to fans!

[TussAgee11]

And how many MLB umpires call a midpoint between the shoulders and belt a strike?

How many good umpires really call it a strike? Belly button, maybe, but when you start getting into the mid point between shoulders and belt with kids that can throw 65-70 from 50 feet, it should be a ball. Its the equivlent to 90-95 at 60 feet, where the umpires call it a ball.

So what makes this any different?

And don't go calling me a troll.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

And how many MLB umpires call a midpoint between the shoulders and belt a strike?

MLB has, for the past three or four years, been instructing the umpires to raise the zone, and for the most part, they have. Most have not gone as far as the rule book, but just seeing it called once is awhile is a drastic change from the past.

However, is it your contention that you should call the zone that MLB umpires call when you are working 12 year olds?

How many good umpires really call it a strike? Belly button, maybe, but when you start getting into the mid point between shoulders and belt with kids that can throw 65-70 from 50 feet, it should be a ball. Its the equivlent to 90-95 at 60 feet, where the umpires call it a ball.

It is to laugh. You've been watching too much LLWS TV coverage. It is NOT the equivalent of 90-95 mph. It is 65 mph. 65 mph pitches do not cross through the strike zone at near the speed of 95 mph.

So what makes this any different?

I dunno, 12 year old vs 30 year old? Pro ball vs LL. They look the same to you? Really? Well then, let's get rid of the safety rules and start taking out catchers.

And don't go calling me a troll.

Wouldn't dream of it. Trolls know better when they post something stupid.

[TussAgee11]

Yes, the ball is not passing through the zone at 95 mph. But it has the same reaction time for the batter as 95mph. If you disagree with that, then I'll do some simple algebra for you.

I've called 3 years of ball now, and have called that high strike for plenty of games, and gotten alot of crap for it, both from fellow umpires, assignors, coaches and players.

Nobody is happy when I call it, and it just creates headaches. I don't care what coaches/players/fans think, but I do care what evaluators and fellow umpires think.

So I choose not to call it. I'm surprised to find out so many umpires would call such a high zone.

[cbfoulds]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

And how many MLB umpires call a midpoint between the shoulders and belt a strike?

How many good umpires really call it a strike? Belly button, maybe, but when you start getting into the mid point between shoulders and belt with kids that can throw 65-70 from 50 feet, it should be a ball. Its the equivlent to 90-95 at 60 feet, where the umpires call it a ball.

So what makes this any different?

And don't go calling me a troll.

And how many MLB players did you have in that game?
What makes this different is that these are 12 year-olds, and even their coaches want 'em to swing the d@mn bat.
Rule book says this is a strike, both sides want it [when they're in the field], and NO-ONE will pi$$ and moan if you call it: so what, exactly is the justification for it "ought" to be a ball?