Strike Zone...

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Calling the mitt on the high bender gets you in trouble if it clearly crosses the batter high. You can see that from the dugout.

If a catcher sets up his mitt in an area directly back of the zone and the pitcher sticks it with a 12-6, I'm getting a strike. Every time...............


Tim.

[MajorDave]

12-6 curveball. I had three or four pitchers I coached who could throw a true 12-6. They were so nasty. Opposing coaches and players hated them. Some umpires that worked my games would not call a strike when it came through the zone unless the batter swung, which they often did. But it really hacked me off when they didn't call it.

I vowed that if and when I saw a good 12-6 as an umpire I would call it and that I would also call the back door curve ball when it nibbled on the corner.

I have called them, I do call them and I do not tolerate whining and *****ing from coaches and players who fall victim to them. I love good pitching and I call the tough pitches without remorse.

The biggest complaint against umpires working last year's NCAA regionals, super regionals and CWS was that they needed to call more strikes.

I have heard that before and I believe in calling strikes, even on the tough borderline pitches and even when the catcher butchers a good pitch that gets through the zone.

[SAump]

You'll find good catcher's frame the pitch and poor catchers bring everything back to the plate. Don't call the pitch for one team because one team has a good pitch-catch combo and the other doesn't. It will make a difference if one team is feeling squeezed.

Focus, track and call the location of the ball prior to being caught. You give them what you got. If you "miss" a pitch and hear disapproval, you can't fix it. Don't register the harping from a team. Don't fret over the "fairness" issue. Know why they're doing it.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by SAump

... Focus, track and call the location of the ball prior to being caught. You give them what you got.

I don't know about that; I track the ball all the way into the mitt before making the judgment, and then I make the call.

[tip184]

Players and coaches tend to make more complaints about strikes umpires than they do balls umpires. That being said, if you are getting complaints about having a strikezone that is too tight, you probably have a strikezone that is far too tight. My assumption is that you are calling balls on pitches that clearly go over the white of the plate, and you're calling balls on pitches at the top of the batter's knees.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by tip184

Players and coaches tend to make more complaints about strikes umpires than they do balls umpires.

In my experience, I've found that the opposite is usually true.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Strikes umpires: hitters mutter and occasionally act churlish and sometimes coaches as well

Balls umpires: pitchers, catchers, infielders, center fielders, coaches, benchwarmers, fans, scorekeepers and of course umpiring partners all complain

[Matt]

Originally Posted by tip184

Players and coaches tend to make more complaints about strikes umpires than they do balls umpires.

No, they don't. Strikes umpires end up being irrelevant after a couple innings because the batters start swinging. Ball umpires are noticed the whole game as everyone watches borderline pitches.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Re: Guys who call strikes:

Originally Posted by Matt

No, they don't. Strikes umpires end up being irrelevant after a couple innings because the batters start swinging. Ball umpires are noticed the whole game as everyone watches borderline pitches.

This is very well put.

[Klokard]

All good info. for what it's worth. I have found at the HS, Collegiate, and MiLB level that CONSISTENCY is whats relevant. If your tight zone is established early, than it is defendable. Not that it makes it a correct zone. Be consistent. If you know you are tight, like mentioned before, start with opening up the corners a little bit throughout the whole game. Don't make adjustments mid-game. Your zone will define you as you work your way up. I am known as a pitchers umpire because I tend to reward the CONSISTENTLY hit outside and inside corner. I DO NOT vary on the height of the zone. As mentioned, those pitches can be seen from the dugouts. Good luck and keep working hard.

[umpduck11]

Originally Posted by Matt

No, they don't. Strikes umpires end up being irrelevant after a couple innings because the batters start swinging. Ball umpires are noticed the whole game as everyone watches borderline pitches.

I have to agree. It has been my experience that good coaches want their batters swinging, not looking for walks. Calling strikes encourages swinging.

[baseball1955]

The strike zone is your baby. Take care of it and see the pitch from the pitcher's hand. If the angle is going down, notice the catcher's glove going down with the pitch, but still keep your eye on the ball.

The top of the zone is when the batter makes a swing, with his back armpit. That is about a good hand width above the belt. The low point is at a straight line at the bottom of the knee cap.

To make that low pitch consistent, the ball CANNOT be angling down. It has to be from the pitcher straight to the catcher.

You hear the word "timing" a lot but that means wait, say strike or ball to yourself before calling the pitch. Be relaxed when the pitch is coming and breath. It want be anything until you call it.

The timing thing means get in front of a mirror and see yourself making the call. The self confidence that you will obtain will be the best start. The rule book is misleading by the picture. The best thing about working the plate is the challenge to see each pitch, and to keep your timing at the same speed.

Hope this might help

[baseball1955]

The strike zone is your baby. Take care of it and see the pitch from the pitcher's hand. If the angle is going down, notice the catcher's glove going down with the pitch, but still keep your eye on the ball.

The top of the zone is when the batter makes a swing, with his back armpit. That is about a good hand width above the belt. The low point is at a straight line at the bottom of the knee cap.

To make that low pitch consistent, the ball CANNOT be angling down. It has to be from the pitcher straight to the catcher.

You hear the word "timing" a lot but that means wait, say strike or ball to yourself before calling the pitch. Be relaxed when the pitch is coming and breath. It want be anything until you call it.

The timing thing means get in front of a mirror and see yourself making the call. The self confidence that you will obtain will be the best start. The rule book is misleading by the picture. The best thing about working the plate is the challenge to see each pitch, and to keep your timing at the same speed.

Hope this might help