Strike Zone...

[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

[tballump]

Originally Posted by 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

Then why was Eric Gregg (God rest his soul) crucified for calling strikes?

And Randy Marsh just gets the comment, tight but consistent K zone.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by tballump

Then why was Eric Gregg (God rest his soul) crucified for calling strikes?

And Randy Marsh just gets the comment, tight but consistent K zone.

Because Eric was inconsistent and calling an inappropriately large zone.

There is such a thing as calling too many strikes. It's just harder to do than calling too many balls.

[Tim C]

. . . "timing" a lot but that means wait, say strike or ball to yourself before calling the pitch.

Not the best of advice here.

This is "false" timing.

If you simply follow the philosophy of Jim Evans ("Timing is the proper use of eyes") the truth will set you free.

If you follow the ball all the way to the catcher's mitt BEFORE you start any part of a strike mechanic your timing will be perfect.

You don't need to say: "One Mississippi, or chew your gum twice, or silently think 'Strike.'"

Just follow school procedure and all will work out.

Regards,

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by tballump

Then why was Eric Gregg (God rest his soul) crucified for calling strikes?

Because Eric Gregg--one of the nicest human beings in the history of the game--was not calling strikes on pitches that were close to being strikes and he was doing so with a rooftop camera busting him.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by tballump

Then why was Eric Gregg (God rest his soul) crucified for calling strikes?

First off, you've been around by now to have heard that MLB is not the model you want to follow in amateur ball. Best in general to simply ignore what they do.

Second, Gregg umpired in a different era, when umpires distinguished themselves by their distinctive zone. Apart from the fact that his era is over, that behavior is diametrically opposed to what we strive for in amateur ball.

[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.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I had a game that featured a team from the bowels of East Los Angeles. Every single hitter went to the plate with a plan. They could push a bunt, hit-and-run, foul off any two-strike pitch ...

That team swung and missed twice in a seven-inning game. And I can't say that anyone over-swung. They swung and contacted virtually every strike and went out of the strike zone rarely. Generally the first strike thrown to a batter was put in play. And the two-strike batting was off-the-charts. There were so many foul balls that they had to go into a second case--pretty rare for H.S.

Zero Ks, and very few called strikes--maybe five or six. It was the damndest thing I have ever seen.

[MajorDave]

Originally Posted by umpduck11

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

Preach, brother, preach. The truth will set you free.

I knew this as a coach and it has been confirmed by me as an umpire. Call borderline pitches strikes early and you rarely have to call them late in the game. It is a lot more fun to umpire, watch, coach and play a game when the bats are swinging.