Strike Zone...

[blindofficial]

As a newbie in baseball (going into my 3rd year) I get told that my strike zone is too tight. I keep getting told that if the catcher doesn't have to turn his glove, as if to scoop it, it's a strike no matter how low it is or where it's at. However, if the catcher has to "scoop" to get the ball (as if it bounced) it's a ball.

I've asked multiple umpires in the past about this and the reason behind this is to "speed up the game." I know these are Soph/JV games, but c'mon. Is that really a fair strike zone, and how is that teaching the pitcher to throw strikes?

[JR12]

Use the bottom of the knees. Most decent catchers aren't going to turn their glove down unless it's very low. They want to make the low pitch look like a strike.
Plus if you go lower than the knees everyone can see it. Makes you look bad. If you want to expand, give more inside and outside.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by blindofficial

I keep getting told that if the catcher doesn't have to turn his glove, as if to scoop it, it's a strike no matter how low it is or where it's at.

It sounds like you're getting some well-intentioned advice that is just slightly off the mark. A strike no matter how low or where it's at? At the ankles? A foot off the outside corner?

Where the catcher sets up and how he receives the pitch will have the greatest impact on calling borderline pitches- those that are just barely skirting the edges of the strike zone. And those pitches are the ones that will usually cause the most controversy. Everybody can see when a ball is right down the middle. It is those pitches on the edge that will cause you problems.

Here's a link to an article that better explains the concept of "calling the glove". It is similar advice to what you've been given, but goes into a lot more detail and fleshes out the concept beyond "call it a strike no matter where it's at".

The Ten Unwritten Rules of Calling Balls and Strikes

Again, let me emphasis that these techniques are best applied to borderline pitches- the ones that we catch the most grief about. Before you fall back on these principles, you need to develop the basic skills of calling strikes. You first need a good concept of the strike zone, proper timing and consistency before the concept of "calling the glove" ever comes into play.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by blindofficial

As a newbie in baseball (going into my 3rd year) I get told that my strike zone is too tight.

If "everyone" is telling you this, then your zone likely *is* too tight for the area /level you are working.

While the specific advice you have been given is certainly wrong if taken to an extreme, it can provide some good direction on how to get your zone to be more acceptable.

[johnnyg08]

I've never seen those guidelines/unwritten rules before...they are interesting guidelines. Some of them are more advanced being that if you take them literally they'd likely get you in more trouble.

[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.

[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.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by blindofficial

As a newbie in baseball (going into my 3rd year) I get told that my strike zone is too tight. I keep getting told that if the catcher doesn't have to turn his glove, as if to scoop it, it's a strike no matter how low it is or where it's at. However, if the catcher has to "scoop" to get the ball (as if it bounced) it's a ball.

I've asked multiple umpires in the past about this and the reason behind this is to "speed up the game." I know these are Soph/JV games, but c'mon. Is that really a fair strike zone, and how is that teaching the pitcher to throw strikes?

Usually at the soph/jv level, you will get as many cathers that don't properly catch as there are pitchers that can't throw strikes. If you enjoy being out there for hours at a time, go for it. Be consistent. Be consistent.

A good catcher will basically confirm the pitch you have seen and tracked into his mit. Most times, the perception that it looked like a strike, is because it was. Call em. Borderline pitches are just as much a strike as a ball. I choose to say the "S" word in just about all those situations.

You may believe that your teaching little Johnnie to throw strikes, but I guarentee you that little Joey is standing there in the box learning how to get on base the easiest way he knows. So if you really want to teach, make sure not to forget about the batter who wants to learn how to hit also.

I personnally believe in the three "S" words to a successful umpiring assignment: Strike, He'Sout and So long coach have a good night.