Strike Zone Discussion

[eagle]

Technically speaking, ANY part of the ball passing through ANY part of the strike zone is a strike. So in a technical sense, all three pitches could be called a strike. However, given the diameter of the ball, if the bottom of the ball passes through the top of the strike zone, the ball would be close to shoulder height. Vice versa, if the top of the ball passes through the bottom of the strike zone, the majority of the ball is below the knees. Consequently, most umpires will call a strike only if the top of the ball passes through the top of the strike zone and only if the bottom of the ball passes through the bottom of the strike zone. This will bring the strike zone down from the top and up from the bottom which will give a much more realistic and consistent strike zone. Horizontally, call a strike if any part of the ball passes through the strike zone including the inside edge of the ball. This will widen the zone eliminating the postage stamp strike zone that is very difficult for pitchers to hit consistently, especially young ones. Of the three pitches depicted here, I would most likely call A & C a ball and B would be a strike but just barely.