CWS plate umpire saying pitch location?

[SWFLguy]

It's been a long time since I did any baseball, let alone college level. In my training, I was always of the mind that the plate umpire simply calls ball if it is a ball. I hear some of the plate umpires in the CWS saying where the pitch was on a ball at times. I'm guessing these guys are top of the line arbiters and it is OK for them to do this. Anyone fill me in?

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by SWFLguy

It's been a long time since I did any baseball, let alone college level. In my training, I was always of the mind that the plate umpire simply calls ball if it is a ball. I hear some of the plate umpires in the CWS saying where the pitch was on a ball at times. I'm guessing these guys are top of the line arbiters and it is OK for them to do this. Anyone fill me in?

There are a couple of MLB umpires that do that. It's not like it's forbidden.

[MD Longhorn]

Usually it screams out, "Rookie". But I guess with these guys we know better.

[Rich]

I do it at all levels I work. Eliminates the "where was that" nonsense on pitches that are close but in/out. I never say if a pitch is up/down - I figure a coach should be able to see that one.

Eh, personal preference. Times change.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Rich

I do it at all levels I work. Eliminates the "where was that" nonsense on pitches that are close but in/out. I never say if a pitch is up/down - I figure a coach should be able to see that one.

Eh, personal preference. Times change.

"What do ya mean up? That pitch was belt high... look through the mask not at it!"
"What do you mean low? What are you looking at?"

No Rich, I don't give 'em any ammunition. "Where was that?" I usually ignore them. Although, once I did turn and say:

"Where was what?"
"That pitch, where was it?"
"Sorry coach, last time I saw it, it was in your catcher's glove!"

[DG]

The only response I normally give is if the coach hollers out to his catcher by name and asks him where the pitch was. If the catcher shrugs or gives a signal indicating it was a strike, I tell the catcher "wrong answer".

Of course I don't work CWS on TV either.

[johnnyg08]

I do the same as Rich. It's widely accepted in many, many circles.

I will say that it's more acceptable to verbalize ins and outs as opposed to ups and downs since they can see those from the dugouts.

[MD Longhorn]

Not following how a coach can see up/down, but not in/out. It's not like the plate is THAT small.

On a corner pitch, if a catcher asks me, I might tell him (outside rather than low... or low rather than outside ... or both low and outside). Or if a good catcher with whom I have a rapport briefly frames a corner pitch, I might quietly verbalize for him which way it missed.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

"What do ya mean up? That pitch was belt high... look through the mask not at it!"
"What do you mean low? What are you looking at?"

No Rich, I don't give 'em any ammunition. "Where was that?" I usually ignore them. Although, once I did turn and say:

"Where was what?"
"That pitch, where was it?"
"Sorry coach, last time I saw it, it was in your catcher's glove!"

He said he did NOT give High/Low - just In/Out.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Not following how a coach can see up/down, but not in/out. It's not like the plate is THAT small.

On a corner pitch, if a catcher asks me, I might tell him (outside rather than low... or low rather than outside ... or both low and outside). Or if a good catcher with whom I have a rapport briefly frames a corner pitch, I might quietly verbalize for him which way it missed.

Go watch from the dugout.. High/Low is easy to see. In/Out is just a guess from there. It's about the angles, not the distance

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Not following how a coach can see up/down, but not in/out. It's not like the plate is THAT small.

can you really tell in and out from A? Same thing for the coaches from the dugout.

[MD Longhorn]

Assuming the catcher's not setting up in a weird spot - in/out is usually pretty easy to see from A, C, or either coaches dugouts. Watch the glove.

[bob jenkins]

"usually" being the operative word. Coaches also don't ask "usually".

When the catcher is on the corner, and the pitch is "close" you can't really tell.

And, yes, sometimes they are asking to make a point. Answering ahead of time can help stop them from doing that.

[scrounge]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Assuming the catcher's not setting up in a weird spot - in/out is usually pretty easy to see from A, C, or either coaches dugouts. Watch the glove.

Plenty of times, a catcher sets up 6 inches or more outside (0-2 counts, etc), the pitcher hits the spot, catcher doesn't move the glove at all. From the side, looks like a strike, but still well outside.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by scrounge

Plenty of times, a catcher sets up 6 inches or more outside (0-2 counts, etc), the pitcher hits the spot, catcher doesn't move the glove at all. From the side, looks like a strike, but still well outside.

Exactly.