Handling the Catcher

[Rich]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

I agree with some of the other posters on this one, that inside pitch is a strike all day long. If you don't call that you WILL look like you are squeezing the zone. Nothing will ruin a game quicker than a postage stamp size zone. I give one ball width on the inside and outside. I also don't feel the need to justify my zone to anyone.

Exactly. I call an aggressive zone at every level -- from LL up through NCAA games -- and I hear *virtually nothing* on balls and strikes.

I've worked with guys that will "ball" a pitch they think is a half-inch inside and call nothing above the belt. Their games last 3+ hours and they get grief on balls and strikes almost constantly.

The NCAA message at the regional clinics was: "Call strikes." They also showed data from last year's championships that the highest rated plate guys also received comments next to their ratings saying, "Big zone, but very consistent."

We are not umpiring MLB and calling pitches for ML pitchers and catchers.