Handling the Catcher

[RPatrino]

So, if you are lined up with your nose in the slot, ideally in the area between the batters box line and the plate, and a pitch comes right at your nose, you would call that a ball?

[REFANDUMP]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

So, if you are lined up with your nose in the slot, ideally in the area between the batters box line and the plate, and a pitch comes right at your nose, you would call that a ball?

We've got 6 inches we're working with between the inside corner of the plate and the inside lines of the batters box (assuming they're there). I'm not so tight that I won't give an inch or slightly more there. I won't give any more than that, especially if I'm being somewhat generous on the outside edge. Most coaches want their pitchers hitting that low outside corner, and that typically is the "pitchers pitch" that they want. Pitches that miss on the inside are (more often than not) pitches that are not hitting the desired spot and I don't think should be rewarded as strikes if they're off the plate. To do so gives the pitcher too generous of a zone (in my opinion).

Let's face it, the strike zone as we call it at most levels of ball is much more liberal than the book tells us it should be. Each umpire needs to do what they're comfortable with at the level of play they're dealing with, and what works for them. I get few complaints about my zone, and I've been calling it the same way for the 20+ years that I've umpired. I'm in no way saying I'm right and your wrong, but also don't believe that you're right and I'm wrong either.

Like I said earlier, at the last college clinic I attended, we were instructed to be generous on the outside edge, but take that much away from the inside edge. I don't think we can do that at the high school or lower levels of play, but also don't think you need to be overly generous inside. Sorry for the long winded answer, but hope you see where I'm coming from (even if we disagree)

[briancurtin]

If a pitcher is nailing his catcher's left knee for three strikes in a row to a lefty, why is that suddenly a ball when the righty steps in?

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by REFANDUMP

Most coaches want their pitchers hitting that low outside corner, and that typically is the "pitchers pitch" that they want. Pitches that miss on the inside are (more often than not) pitches that are not hitting the desired spot and I don't think should be rewarded as strikes if they're off the plate. To do so gives the pitcher too generous of a zone (in my opinion).

It seems like you're trying to call the game that you think the coaches are playing. Half of them don't even know what game they're playing so I wouldn't try to guess what they want.

[Robmoz]

For almost 20 yrs I have been going with one ball in/out on the corners at ALL levels worked and either I am the luckiest guy in the region or I am doing something right because it is rare that I get a 21/4 hr+ game (unless its extra innings). The key is consistency and good position to see pitches properly! Pitchers and batters will adjust by the end of their first inning of play.

I don't follow the prescribed 2 on the outside, 1 on the inside "clinic" nonsense or should I say that I have never been taught that at any clinic I ever attended. IMO if you are consistent calling one ball in/out and have solid mechanics that allow clear vision of the entire zone you will find that your games will run much smoother and, as a by-product, more timely.

If F2 needs to be handled, the best way to do that is to have a consistent zone communicated crisply and with good timing....above all else - be professional at all times as respect is easy to give but very hard to earn.

[bob jenkins]

If you call the outside pitch, but not the inside pitch, you'll get the batters to crowd the plate. We get 100s of posts a year about "how do I see when the batter crowds the plate" so it must be a problem. And then, when a pitch is inside by a bit, you either get a hit batter, or a strike that the batter is trying to avoid -- and that looks bad.

So, keep the width the same but shift everything to the left (for a RH batter) a bit. If you give two balls off on the outside, and nothing on the inside, then try giving one each way.

[REFANDUMP]

The bottom line is that each umpire needs to call a zone that they're comfortable with and be consistent with. The players will adjust. Hopefully we're all calling the strikes that actually do go over the plate !!!