Gray Area Strikes

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by btdt

High School Varsity
Pitch low in the strike zone that could be called either way. (Gray Area)
You want to be consistant so would you lean toward strikes or balls and why.

If, as you wrote, I saw the pitch being in the strike zone, it's a strike. I don't see pitches in the strike zone as being in a gray area.

Regarding borderline pitches I would agree with Kevin F.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by btdt

High in the strike zone?
Inside/Outside??

All areas / levels are slightly different. IF "all" participants (assignors, coaches, players, partners) say that your zone is too big / small / high / wide / tight .... then it probably is for that level and that area.

[Kevin Finnerty]

The first part's very true; you have to adjust if you do different levels.

The second part's somewhat true, but for the fact that the majority of guys who'll tell you that aren't interested in fairness, but in how soon they get to leave the ballpark that day.

[gordon30307]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

The first part's very true; you have to adjust if you do different levels.

The second part's somewhat true, but for the fact that the majority of guys who'll tell you that aren't interested in fairness, but in how soon they get to leave the ballpark that day.

I've done hundreds of high school varsity games (I know you're happy for me) I can't think of one regulation 7 inning game that was well over 2 hours that was any good. On the other hand I've had many 7 inning games that were well under 2 hours that were outstanding. Why. Quite simply strikes were called and the batters were swinging the bat.

I'm generous out and not so generous in. Up and down letters to the knees. Coaches can ***** about up and down that they can see. It's hard for them to see in and out.

If I'm the same for both teams I'm guessing I'm being fair.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I have seen some long barn-burners that were great, and some short, low-scoring games that sucked. I am not concerned with how long a game is except for game management concerns. I like everything about being out there and I'm in no rush to get home.

As for the zone, I think I'm with you, except for the high part, Gordon.

I guess I've never been able to go up to the pit of the stomach (which is the midpoint between the top of the shoulder and the top of the uniform pants, no matter where the letters are). I suppose getting trimmed for calling it too often by the better coaches and hitters shaped my zone a little. Also, it's the pitch you get the best look at. It's easier to keep that line at the top than at the bottom.

Now, occasionally a high big bender gets called.

[Ump153]

For the top, I use one ball above the belt, no matter how it got there, fastball or deuce. With good pitching skippers see where the ball ends up more than where it hit the plate. Haven't had many complaints about it College or HS Varsity.

[kylejt]

I'm just saying that if you're calling strikes at two ball widths on the inside part of the dish, you may get more grief than you should. I've had really good instructors tell me to do so, but IMO, that's not a hittable pitch, and it's definitely not a strike.

But Bob and Kevin make good points. If your area wants that called, and you get less grief that way, roll with it.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by kylejt

I'm just saying that if you're calling strikes at two ball widths on the inside part of the dish, you may get more grief than you should. I've had really good instructors tell me to do so, but IMO, that's not a hittable pitch, and it's definitely not a strike.

But Bob and Kevin make good points. If your area wants that called, and you get less grief that way, roll with it.

I wouldn't go that far inside, though. I'm with you on that. It's unhittable at any level and cheats every hitter. You go a little away and it's still hittable.

[gordon30307]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

I wouldn't go that far inside, though. I'm with you on that. It's unhittable at any level and cheats every hitter. You go a little away and it's still hittable.

Here's the problem with the inside pitch it has become fashionable at

all levels for batters to crowd the plate. I got to believe it started at the "show" because "pitchers aren't allowed" to pitch inside. The first time it happens (it seems to be the case) both benches are warned. Nothing I enjoy more than getting a called third on a batter whose arms are over the plate. The only thing that can top that is calling a strike when a batter gets hit by a pitch because he's all over the plate.

Quit being sympathetic to the hitter. How many times do they let the mediocre belt high fastball go by and then get pissed off at you when you ring them up on a called third.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by SAump

Would you go two balls inside or outside, if you were pitching?

Yes, I would.

I'd go there, but I wouldn't expect it to be a strike. I'd WANT it be a strike, though.

Good thing I don't pitch AND umpire at the same time. I'd probably yell at, and then eject myself several times a game.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by SAump

Play the angle from the plate to the mitt.
These big MVP guys deserve a bigger strike zone.
Built in up/down belt to knees, but stagnant 17 inches left/right.
Who remembers a shorter MLB hitter with more HR than Kirby Puckett?
Bet Mr Puckett's wingspan was much larger than his height for a person his size.
Hitters drop back-end lower into a cut and explode upward belt high {Bagwell}, a built in advantage.
Add Albert Pujols in a crouch and see how much his strike zone changes during a swing.
Bet a dollar it doesn't change very much when he's looking at the pitch go by.
Take the average of 1000 knees to belt shots of him swinging at a pitch in the strike zone.
The strike zone on a 5-5 ft adult wingspan really can't differ as much vertical or horizontally.
Explosive MLB hitters swing at these pitches. Shouldn't they be called a strike when they don't swing?

Two balls off the plate??

You are dreaming. Horse---- MLB hitters swing at those pitches. Or Vladi, who can't possibly be used in any conversation about conventional hitting. Vladi is the only true bad ball hitter in baseball that has gone that far out of the zone successfully since the '70s. It's not the general rule like you're saying. ... Kirby's wingspan was not different than a normal short guy. He was very strong. Another short guy with a lot of bombs: Jimmy Wynn--also very strong and the rare guy with a season of 140-plus walks and 140-plus strikeouts ... And just because a bad hitter like Ryan Howard would swing at a pitch two balls off the plate is not a good reason to call it a strike on a brilliant hitter like Mark Teixiera.