Just out of morbid curiosity...

[jkumpire]

I have probably done 400+ games with a guy who currently wears one. He has done HS state tournament and College BB with one, even in this decade. When you see him work, you can see the holes using an outside protector cause these days in your zone, but he is pretty consistent is his zone, and does a nice job behind the plate.

Last year he got a new one. He said he was buying his last one, I guess he's retiring in the next 5 years or so. I'll miss him when he's done.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

I have probably done 400+ games with a guy who currently wears one. He has done HS state tournament and College BB with one, even in this decade. When you see him work, you can see the holes using an outside protector cause these days in your zone, but he is pretty consistent is his zone, and does a nice job behind the plate.

Last year he got a new one. He said he was buying his last one, I guess he's retiring in the next 5 years or so. I'll miss him when he's done.

My goodness, no kidding, he may be one of a few left. Good for him. Where are these "holes"?

[jkumpire]

Originally Posted by fitump56

My goodness, no kidding, he may be one of a few left. Good for him. Where are these "holes"?

56,

IMO,

Just from watching him and other balloon guys, I think they have a little harder time being consistent on the low pitch, and the outside low pitch in particular.

I think there are ways people try to adjust to compensate for that, but when you are working over the head or shoulder of a catcher, unless he is very, very good at framing pitches, getting a look at low strikes is harder to do than working the slot w/ an inside protector. And with other people I have seen, not my partner, their adjustments make their zone worse instead of better.

But, hey, don't get me wrong, my friend is a pretty consistent umpire, and a good friend. I trust his zone a lot more than other people I know.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

56,

IMO,

Just from watching him and other balloon guys, I think they have a little harder time being consistent on the low pitch, and the outside low pitch in particular.

I can see that issue especially if the balloon rides out from your body.

I think there are ways people try to adjust to compensate for that, but when you are working over the head or shoulder of a catcher, unless he is very, very good at framing pitches, getting a look at low strikes is harder to do than working the slot w/ an inside protector. And with other people I have seen, not my partner, their adjustments make their zone worse instead of better.

But, hey, don't get me wrong, my friend is a pretty consistent umpire, and a good friend. I trust his zone a lot more than other people I know.

I have seen some great PU zones behind those balloons, like to think I had one, probably didn't.

[jkumpire]

56,

Remember, in the history of Baseball the zone was much different than today. With a higher zone in Baseball for most of its history, the high strike was as important as the low strike. Now, everybody has to keep the ball down esp. w/metal bats.

Everything has adjusted to the low pitch, and the outside corner, where the Balloon has a hard time making such adjustments.

Maybe one day the balloon will rise again in some form, some way that you can deinflate and reinflate a bladder very, very quickly so you can run with it easily, and carry a mask. For protection it's a no contest for the balloon.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

56,

Remember, in the history of Baseball the zone was much different than today. With a higher zone in Baseball for most of its history, the high strike was as important as the low strike. Now, everybody has to keep the ball down esp. w/metal bats.

Everything has adjusted to the low pitch, and the outside corner, where the Balloon has a hard time making such adjustments.

Maybe one day the balloon will rise again in some form, some way that you can deinflate and reinflate a bladder very, very quickly so you can run with it easily, and carry a mask. For protection it's a no contest for the balloon.

That's a great idea, jk, inflate/deflate. Why not?

True about the zone, it has come vertically full circle (??). In the 80s, anything at or above the belt was a "Ball". In the 90s, we had umpires like Eric Gregg calling strikes in the opposite batter's box.