Ways for batter to get ejected......

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by bobbybanaduck

ummmmm, a better question....

why AREN'T you calling it? (assuming you aren't from this posed question and your "thank you" response later in the thread.)

The STRIKE ZONE is that area over home plate the upper limit of which is a horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants, and the lower level is a line at the hollow beneath the kneecap.

bobbybanaduck:

Thank you for the OBR (Rule 2.00--STRIKE ZONE) definition, but since about 99.999,999% of my games are played using NFHS Rules which R2-S35-A1 states: "The strike zone is that space over home plate, the top of which is halfway between the batter’s shoulders and the waistline, and the bottom being the knees,
when he assumes his natural batting stance. The height of the strike zone is
determined by the batter’s normal batting stance. If he crouches or leans over to make the shoulder line lower, the umpire determines height by what would be the batter’s normal stance."

That means in a NFHS Rules game, a pitch below the knees is not a strike. I only questioned the author of the OP because I was reading his post from the NFHS Rules position.

I have never been a proponent of the "real" low strike, but have been a proponent of the "high" strike. I just don't think a batter should have to use a golf swing to hit a baseball.

MTD, Sr.

[JR12]

Let's not have a big arguement over an inch!

[DG]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

I have never been a proponent of the "real" low strike, but have been a proponent of the "high" strike. I just don't think a batter should have to use a golf swing to hit a baseball.

I have tried several times to post a JPG I scanned from Ted Williams book in hitting where he shows what his batting average would be based on the spots. Can't seem to get it done.

But the low strike was Ted's lowest batting average, and therefore pitcher should be rewarded for throwing it there. Ted would bat .400 on pitches over the middle as much as 3-4 baseballs above the belt and in the 300's on pitches above his hands. Obviously, Ted liked the high pitch better than the low.

There is a lesson there. If the pitcher throws a low strike call it, he deserves it. Batters will adjust. If he throws a high strike that don't get hammered call it, because the batter should be able to hammer it.

I have been told I call them low, but everybody knows it too, so I don't get any complaints.

[zm1283]

Although I've been told by fellow umpires that I have a higher strike zone (I'll call the pitch at the belt a strike....a lot of guys won't), I still try to get pitches at the hollow of the knee for strikes. If you're consistent with it, no one will say a word.