Gray Area Strikes

[Kevin Finnerty]

You're still losing me on the second part. You agree, but you disagree.

You want freedom to make the strike zone 28 inches wide, but you think we should all abide by the strike zone parameters in the rule book?

And, they're not threads, they're posts. A thread is a topic, and a message is a post.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by SAump

(3) + 3 + 17 + 3 + (3)
That would be a maximum 23 inches across. We stated the strike zone was 20 inches on each side or 23 inches from side to side. Add 3 inches of "gray area" to each side and the strike zone is still 23 inches wide. The 34 inch bat plus 24 inch arms, provides about 58 inches of total coverage. Subtract 6 inches of sweet spot, 12 inches of comfort roomfor the hands, and 23 inches of strike zone. That leaves about 17 inches {8.5 inches on both sides} of the plate for "decision" room.

I'm sorry, you said 29 inches, not 28. And you said that two balls off the plate on either side is a strike and should be a strike in the majors. Now you're saying that part of your zone is a gray area that's sometimes not a strike.

And the rest of that bat and arm length coverage stuff is as convoluted as it gets.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by SAump

I have a clue why you would say that. The pitcher can only toss one pitch and I doubt he'll make use of both sides of the plate. A quick search of this document does not reveal a "29" statement attributed to me.
Thread 29, post 291, Dec 29, Kevin 29: Yes
SAump 29: NO!
Fold arms so sweet spot reaches 6 inches on inside edge of plate at the knees.
Extend arms/bat so that sweet spot reaches 6 inches past outside edge of plate at the knees.
Comfortable after a few swings? Thats the advice where he should stand, but it is not mandatory.

You said the plate is 17 inches and that you call two balls on each side. That's 29 if you call the width of a ball three inches. That's what you said.

And please pass on the where-a-hitter-should-stand stuff. In fact, pass on all the hitting stuff.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by SAump

STOP worrying about the hitters feelings and get rid of that fairytale "fair" to every batter mentality. Good hitters don't need your help. The batter can help himself by swinging. The pitcher/catcher need your help! Without YOU, their toast unless the pitcher is headed to the next level. I know where the mitt is and I know where the pitch better be. The pitcher gets 20 inches, I get 3 and the batter gets 3. Its a strike until I say it is not.

That gray area belongs to me. If I miss in the gray area and complaints come in. I do not tighten/or loosen my zone. I focus on my 3 inches. I hope I give the batter his 3 inches or I blew a call. I hope to give the pitcher his 20 inches or I blew a call.

I repeat slowly, the pitcher can not take advantage of both sides of the plate. He throws the ball to one side or the other side. I call 3 of those 6 inches on one side or the other for him. I do not call 6 inches on both sides for him. The batter better decide if I am going to call the other 3 inches on the inside or 3 inches on the outside and swings. I don't have all day for him to decide. I prefer he not leave the decision up to me and swing at every strike crossing the plate. But they don't. So that leaves me in the gray area for most of the game.

If the catcher sticks it there all night. That hitter better adjust. I am sticking it there all night too. He sees an inside pitch. I call it a strike. He sees the same pitch. I call it a strike. I don't cave into the batters whim of a strike. He better come in with an idea and not rely on me or the last umpire for updates. Where is the ball going to be to hit is his decision. If he doesn't come in with a well-balanced hitting zone, he is probably not going to hit it.

Wow. Now I'm whacking myself upside the head trying to knock all of this post out of my head!! Ouch!!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by SAump

Why don't you knock out your strike zone. Nice round numbers! What was it 2 7/8 to 3 inches on either side for the "ball" and 4/8 to 5/8 of an inch for the pitcher? That was both inside and outside gray areas you were discussing in an earlier post. I guess we agree on the size of an NCAA ball 'acrosse. Tell me, does your post include those raised seams your spinnin' above.

No, the ball, which is 2 7/8 to 3 inches in diameter, and the inside line of the batter's box, which is 6 inches from the plate. These aren't fuzzy math suggestions, but just statements of facts. Like Joe Friday always said, "just the facts."

[Umpmazza]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

No, the ball, which is 2 7/8 to 3 inches in diameter, and the inside line of the batter's box, which is 6 inches from the plate. These aren't fuzzy math suggestions, but just statements of facts. Like Joe Friday always said, "just the facts."

its 2.5" in diameter.

[Umpmazza]

Originally Posted by SAump

I know you have a copy of the rulebook. I wanted you to work the around the gray area. Educate us on any part of gray area strike zone. TV commentators kept showing the IR strike zone, asking where the heel was that one. It became so popular MLB adopted it. I think one even had his hand on the phone to a NY tellustraightor. Don't use your wide TV background. Tell us how it works from the SDBUM. Let me start you off. The first batter enters the box and completely wipes off the 6 in line with his size 14 foot. Do you immediately eject or call time? Give me some verbal citations. I can't find the rool and I don't read the numbers very well. Is this caseplay covered in one of your book of facts?

Dont talk about the MLB strike Zone when they have camera from every angle possible. There strike has to be on the money... We as amateur umpire/ College/HS can get away with calling a ball off the edge of the plate both inside and outside. With the K zone everyone can see the pitches being called and it will get back to managers, which will get on the umps.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Umpmazza

its 2.5" in diameter.

Not according to Major League Baseball.

[dash_riprock]

The rule says the ball must be 9-9.25 inches in circumference. 9-9.25/π = a diameter of approximately 2.86-2.94 inches.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Not according to Major League Baseball.

And not according to any sources that feature such statistics. Dash Riprock's measurements are precise, mine were the standard rounded off estimates.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

The rule says the ball must be 9-9.25 inches in circumference. 9-9.25/π = a diameter of approximately 2.86-2.94 inches.

Period!

[tballump]

Even if someone could draw a "picture", and everyone on this post finally came to an agreement on what the strike zone should be by definition, when the actual pitch crosses the plate, there would still be a difference as to what one umpire perceives as a ball hitting that strike zone, and what another umpire perceives as a ball hitting that strike zone.

Unfortunately, no matter how the strike zone is objectively defined and interpreted, it is still subjectively applied by each individual umpires own judgment.

Umpires that are perceived to have a good consistent strike zone, whether it is a just a "little to tight" or a "little to liberal" will be the ones advancing to the highest levels possible on the umpiring ladder, while others will not progress as far.

I believe one umpire said the players and coaches will verbally let you know what the strike zone should be at a particular level. Once you know those parameters, it is how "consistent" you remain throughout the "entire" game that matters.

It has also been said, that no one "walks" to the big leagues.

[Umpmazza]

Ok here is a good view... you can see the older called strike zone, and what the zone should be called by definition in the blue shady part.

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Wow. Now I'm whacking myself upside the head trying to knock all of this post out of my head!! Ouch!!

Seconded.

Originally Posted by tballump

Even if someone could draw a "picture", and everyone on this post finally came to an agreement on what the strike zone should be by definition, when the actual pitch crosses the plate, there would still be a difference as to what one umpire perceives as a ball hitting that strike zone, and what another umpire perceives as a ball hitting that strike zone.

Unfortunately, no matter how the strike zone is objectively defined and interpreted, it is still subjectively applied by each individual umpires own judgment.

Well, of course it is. That's why so much of this thread has become a great discussion. It's really got me thinking for when I get back on the field.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I made a vow never to be in any way medicated when I post in one of these forums. Since I am not medicated, I can't understand
SUmp's post.