Pitch Location

[JR12]

The HPU on yesterdays Orioles vs Jays game could be heard on every ball, saying, "thats outside" or "thats low" ect. I was taught(18 yrs ago) only to call "ball".
Then again on a ball some guys don't say anything.
What's the general concensus on here?

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by JR12

The HPU on yesterdays Orioles vs Jays game could be heard on every ball, saying, "thats outside" or "thats low" ect. I was taught(18 yrs ago) only to call "ball".
Then again on a ball some guys don't say anything.
What's the general concensus on here?

Verbalizing location of close ball calls has become more accepted over the past few years. Some MLB umires do it as well.

The terminology taught is down, up, in, and out.

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Verbalizing location of close ball calls has become more accepted over the past few years. Some MLB umires do it as well.

The terminology taught is down, up, in, and out.

Only on pitches that are close. It's a good verbalization and it sets close commo between F2 and PU. I am happy to see this officiating strategy is being endorsed, finally, after having used it for years on years.

Good for B too, if he asks with humility and total politeness

[PeteBooth]

The problem I have with giving location is that we are going to miss'm. It's called being human

Therefore, if you did "kick" a pitch and said for example "IN" and then the exact same pitch is called a strike would lead to a credibility issue.

If you are going to give location and do "kick" one are you going to admit that "you missed it" so that both F2 and B1 know that the next pitch in the same location will be called differently?

Mechanics seem to change every year and sometimes the "old" teachings are still prevalent.

I do give location but only on rare occassions.

Pete Booth

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by Interested Ump
Only on pitches that are close. It's a good verbalization and it sets close commo between F2 and PU. I am happy to see this officiating strategy is being endorsed, finally, after having used it for years on years.

Good for B too, if he asks with humility and total politeness

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

The problem I have with giving location is that we are going to miss'm. It's called being human

Therefore, if you did "kick" a pitch and said for example "IN" and then the exact same pitch is called a strike would lead to a credibility issue.

If you are going to give location and do "kick" one are you going to admit that "you missed it" so that both F2 and B1 know that the next pitch in the same location will be called differently?

P.S. edited

This goes both ways, if I call a strike that should have been a ball, flip the commo to suit.

Mechanics seem to change every year and sometimes the "old" teachings are still prevalent.

I do give location but only on rare occassions.

Pete Booth

Yes, I admit to missing calls when I have good commo with a catcher. If he is good, he will know that he is going to get an occasional miss and that we may not agree on strike/ball locations either. It's a commiseration almost like a dance

Seriously, I will discreetly let F2 know, at the right time, that I missed it and he gets the next one there in the same location. I encourage him to tell his P, he needs to know what the heck is going on too.

I don't like missing plate calls and don't understand why there should be great difficulty in calling an accurate plate if you are experienced and the quality of play is high. Missing ball and strike calls tees me off, F2 sees that or at least I sure hope.


PS. Edited

If I miss a ball, called a strike, flip the above commo and customize to suit.

[piaa_ump]

As a partial season ticket holder who is close enough to hear the umpires calls, I have heard more locations given recently....

Pirate game this weekend....

Hunter Wendlestadt used

Thats inside...
Thats low....
No or Low....

as for me, I am not MLB, so I will stick with Ball and Strike........

[Interested Ump]

I like to use the quickest word, not words, that gets the message to F2. "No" if the call is not possibly up-in, out-down and all other combinations. If the pitch has missed in two locations, then its "up n in" or if one location, correct expression such as "In". I like "down" as opposed to Low since No and Low sound alike.

"In, Out Up, Down", combinations thereof.

[RPatrino]

I suspect he attended the other fellow's school. I wonder if he got a discount?

[justanotherblue]

Although I do hear it a little bit more as of late, I was taught not to verbalize the location of the pitch. Some rats like it, some will use it against you. The rat come back... that's not down.. or that's not up comments. Of course that gives us the opportunity to use the standard reply... that's the door...

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by justanotherblue

Although I do hear it a little bit more as of late, I was taught not to verbalize the location of the pitch. Some rats like it, some will use it against you. The rat come back... that's not down.. or that's not up comments. Of course that gives us the opportunity to use the standard reply... that's the door...

Coaches can spit up comments on ball/strike calls about, oh, three times before I send his F2 directly to the dugout with a clear and concise message of total intolerance for their opinions. That issue solved, location info is about F2/F1 and PU getting on the same page. It's good commo, it's fun and develops game relationships, good for everyone.

[NFump]

Originally Posted by justanotherblue

Although I do hear it a little bit more as of late, I was taught not to verbalize the location of the pitch. Some rats like it, some will use it against you. The rat come back... that's not down.. or that's not up comments. Of course that gives us the opportunity to use the standard reply... that's the door...

Or the ever popular "That's not a strike!". They get you anyway you go.

[DG]

The closer they are the louder I say BALL. I only explain 'em if asked by the catcher in a way that I know he and I are the only ones having the discussion. If he knows what will and will not be called a strike the game will go along much more smoothly.

[ozzy6900]

I call the pitch for what it is - strike or ball. It's up to F1 & F2 to fix the problem, they are smart enough to do that.

If I call a ball and the coach asks where it was, I tell him "It was in the ball zone, there coach!"

I am not an announcer - I leave that to the "professionals" like Tim McCarver!

[CO ump]

I haven't kept accurate records, but I'd say well over 90% of the time, when F2 asks about location it goes something like "Was that _______?" Fill in the blank with low, outside etc etc. Very seldom is it an open ended question such as "Where was that?"
In other words, they know where it was and the point of their question is to politely and subtlely say "I disagree"
If I start verbalizing every close ball call I'm taking away F2s opportunity to communicate discreetly and politely. Now all he can do is show bad body language, which everyone sees, or tell me not so subtlely the call sucked.
I'm sure there are advantages to verbalizing locations, but for now I prefer the old fashion dance.