Strike Zone Discussion

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by mcrowder
I know I'll catch he77 for this, especially with MR endorsing this as common (which surprised the he77 out of me, considering his impeccable record on defending the REST of the rulebook) on the other board. However, why do we feel the need to create "Our Own" strike zone. Call it to the book AS BEST YOU CAN. Your zone, WMB, creates a league where pitchers will never get good hitters out, because they have to pitch extremely hittable balls.

Maybe you didn't see my post on eteamz, or maybe you have never been to a FP clinic. IT ISN'T THE UMPIRE MAKING UP THE STRIKE ZONE.

From ASA & NFHS to NCAA, the manner in which to call the strike zone is taught and it does not always meet the specifications of the perfect book strike zone.

The reason they want the entire ball within the zone at the top is because anything else is basically unhittable in the FP game. Problem is that the ONLY physical attribute available to define the top of the zone is the armpits. For a number of reasons, especially the men's game, you cannot refer to the breats and anyone who lives by the "letters" as being the top of the zone needs to start over again or go back to baseball where such a comment makes sense to a few people.

Since the only attribute is naturally high, the interpretation is meant to bring it down by the diameter of the ball. The zone is also widened a little because the pitch is hitable an inch or two off the plate. BTW, if you check page 209 of the 2004 ASA Rule Book, you will find the prescribed manner in which to call the strike zone. These mechanics are endorsed by ASA and the NFCA which is the first organization of which I am aware to introduce the "chevrolet" strike zone. That's right, the coach's organization wanted it called differently from the description in the book.

Another point on this madness is that it gives the pitchers basically the same size area in which to deliver the ball and, at the same time, shows the batter more pitches to hit. IOW, it supports the advancement of the game of softball.

Like, don't like it. Use it, don't use it. I do not care, your strike zone is your strike zone. Some may believe it to be good, some may believe it to be poor. I do not care, your strike zone is your strike zone. However, I do not believe you can say others are making up their own strike zone when they are following what is offered in the book and clinics.

If anyone here attended the 2003 UIC Clinic in OKC, you saw a full demonstration including film clips on how the zone should be viewed and called. It included a batter being shown standing toward the outside of their box and the bat still reaching 6" and more past the opposite side of the plate.

Bring it up, bring it down and widen it out just a bit to give the pitcher the same size hole to throw it through. The same as is on page 209 in the book.