Gray Area Strikes

[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.

[Kevin Finnerty]

If there's somewhere I would go to stretch out my zone, I would go daylight between ball and belt first, so that sounds a lot like where I would end up when I'm done stretching.

[DG]

The bottom of a batters elbows are generally midway between belt and shoulders, in a normal stance, or at rest. If you guys are not calling a strike unless it nicks the belt or is no more than a ball above you are not calling the high strike and cheating the defense. Stand in front of a mirror, spread your hand as wide as you can and touch the top of your belt with your middle fingertip. The top of your thumb will be appoximately same as bottom of your elbows. Call the hand and you will be calling the high strike. The hand will be at least two balls and close to three, above the belt.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by DG

The bottom of a batters elbows are generally midway between belt and shoulders, in a normal stance, or at rest. If you guys are not calling a strike unless it nicks the belt or is no more than a ball above you are not calling the high strike and cheating the defense. Stand in front of a mirror, spread your hand as wide as you can and touch the top of your belt with your middle fingertip. The top of your thumb will be appoximately same as bottom of your elbows. Call the hand and you will be calling the high strike. The hand will be at least two balls and close to three, above the belt.

Three balls above the belt is too high, and I must repeat, only if a hitter's hands are too low to hit properly are they at the midpoint that is the top of the strike zone. A majority of hitters' elbows are not held that low.

I'm going to raise the top of my zone this year, but the top point will be the pit of the stomach or slightly below. Some uniforms have a logo that creeps down that far, some uniforms have a number in the perfect spot, some uniforms have a button in the right spot. But if a hitter's hands are in proper hitting position, his elbows are too high to use.

[Umpmazza]

Originally Posted by DG

The bottom of a batters elbows are generally midway between belt and shoulders, in a normal stance, or at rest. If you guys are not calling a strike unless it nicks the belt or is no more than a ball above you are not calling the high strike and cheating the defense. Stand in front of a mirror, spread your hand as wide as you can and touch the top of your belt with your middle fingertip. The top of your thumb will be appoximately same as bottom of your elbows. Call the hand and you will be calling the high strike. The hand will be at least two balls and close to three, above the belt.

I agree 100%

[Umpmazza]

Originally Posted by 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.

Dude or missing like about 5" of the strike zone... I worked with a guy in college like this and yea he didnt get alot of complaints, but he still missed alot of strikes..