A while ago we had an excellent discussion on strike zones, what is a strike, what isn't, what to call, etc. Since then, I've been consciously trying to pull my zone up to the top of the knee (unless I'm doing, 10U rec ball, then anything goes :) ).

This weekend I called an excellent tournament with some really good teams. Had a pitcher with a good drop ball, but IMHO, the ball was coming in below the knee and dropping...most of the time. Catcher was crowding the batter (way up on the plate) and most of the time the glove was on the ground when she caught it.

Away Team wins 1-0, really good game. She still had like a 2 or 3 hitter, but "because of me" she had 3 or 4 walks.

Away Coach after the game (very professionally) asks me where the pitches are. I explained, that IMO, the ball was coming in under the knee, then dropping. He said it was hitting the knee then dropping. I asked where it hit the knee. He said it was crossing the batters knees. I explained that we are supposed to call pitches where they cross the plate, not the batter, in relationship to the batters knees.

Upon reflection after the game, I remember fans from both teams saying, "he's just not giving her the low pitch." Felt pretty good about it. Also heard Home Coach say, "he's not giving her the drop ball; stay off it until she brings it up."

So obviously, both coaches and parents were expecting me to call the pitch a strike. No really complaining from either side, just made me think:

WOULD IT HAVE JUST BEEN EASIER TO CALL THE PITCH A STRIKE AND GO ON WITH THE GAME? Since everyone except me (and my partner) thought it could have been a strike, should we just call it a strike? Or does it pose a greater question: where are the umpires that give her that pitch as a strike? Obviously, someone, somewhere is giving that pitch as a strike, or she wouldn't throw it constantly.

I will give coach credit...he kept throwing it...and I'll give myself credit...I never called it a strike. Coach said I was consistent, but he thought it was a strike.

Shucks, we all know all our strike zones are a little different from everyone elses. And ours will change some, from game to game. I realized the other night that I wasn't giving the outside corner. It was too late then, you can't change your strike zone in a game. The thing to strive for is CONSISTENCY, CONSISTENCY, CONSISTENCY!!!! If the coaches are saying you aren't giving a certain pitch, don't change, keep it the same way. It's not a majority vote, it's only your opinion that's gonna get into the scorebook.If you change the strike zone in the late innings, you are placing a team at a disadvantage. They have by now learned (or should have) what your zone is. They are counting on you to stay the same. If you start calling a pitch that has been a ball all night a strike, you are hurting the offensive team. Once you set a strike zone, good or bad, keep it. You're the same for both teams, they shouldn't complain.

Too much.

Maybe you should have just reminded the coach that a pitch at the knee is outside of the strike zone.

Since that earlier conversation, I too have brought my strike zone up so the entire ball has to be above the knee. Honestly however, If its little girls..Im using the whole knee.

I'd agree, but this was 16U Travel Ball, good stuff, several college coaches there scouting, especially at this game.

On that note, if she's low at 40 feet, what's going to happen at 43 feet in a couple of years?

You know sometimes when you ask your partner their opinion, they just say you did a great job. My partner on that game had the plate next time we were together...he too made the ball get above the knee. So I know he wasn't just giving me BS.

A couple of years ago, I was working the plate at Michigan University. Michigan pitchers throw drops, I kept balling them in the 1st 2 innings. The Michigan coach then asks "Are you going to keep balling those pitches?" "Yes I am.". Nothing else was said.

Next inning the pitch came up about 1 ball and it was now dropping for strikes. The guide I use is top of ball to top of knee.

When will pitchers and coaches learn that they need to adjust to our strike zones, instead of expecting us to adjust to theirs?

And PLEASE don't forget. As per the Women's College World Series. There are three strike zones. 1. The batter's 2. The pitcher's 3. The umpire's. Just ask the announcers, they will tell you. Dave

I wonder which one counts? http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung...smiley-124.gif

A coach has to search for me far and wide after a game, particuarly if s/he wants to discuss the strike zone.
I'm not trying to be flip here, but how on earth does any comment from fans, players or coaches really matter? YOU are the only one calling balls and strikes, nyet?

Only if you thought it was a strike.
None of this matters; you are not umping those games.

IMHO, establish your zone (the only one that counts), watch your timing, and effort to keep that zone there as best you can, given pitchers' talent levels.

What coaches, fans, players or the funnel-cake lady say mean zilch.

Ace in CT

You must be bored today Ace. Bringing up four year old business like we were discussing it yesterday. :D

And, uh, did you mean "flippant" for the highlighted word above?

I am a fan of The Ohio State University, and Rut from the Basketball Forum never comes the the Softball Forum but I must defend his honor. I would like to know where Michigan University is loacated. I know where the University of Michigan is but I have never heard of Michigan University.

MTD, Sr.

Who cares about anyone other than the Wisconsin Badgers? :cool:

edited: never mind.. this is a thread from the dead..

Point well taken but Rut and I know that the "real" game in not the OSU-UM game it is the Youngstown State University Penquins vs. the Western Illinois Leathernecks game.

MTD, Sr.

YSU, the only place to which I have ever been where the football game was out of control, the public address announcer went silent around the end of the 3rd quarter.

Badgers ???
 

:confused:


MTD, Sr.

Why were the walks your fault, with your "consistent" zone, shouldn't the fault be F1's for not throwing strikes?

Not a conversation I would want to be having as I was leaving the field. The only thing I would be explaining to that coach as I was leaving the field is how he's delaying my exit.

It should not matter what the coaches and parents were expecting you to call. Umpire your game the way you see it being played.

Ha! Good one, man. :)

Though the Badger is quite the ferocious animal. They eat Gophers for breakfast. ;)

Yeah, but the Buckeyes are the Big-10 football champions.

MTD, Sr.

This time around, yes. Need I mention the legacy of Barry Alvarez? ;)

Is it technically a hijack if the thread is 4 years old?

1998, Week 5, YSU (w/Tressel) was talking back-to-back championships with a 4-1 start. UD showed up with the fans talking crap all Saturday morning. Even the bimbos at the Holiday Inn lounge were laughing and bad mouthing UD fans at the same time they were trying to work the guys for drinks.

By the beginning of the 4th qtr, UD was playing the third string and the Public Address announcer who was very vocal in the first half, literally calling and editorializing each play. There was not one word heard from the guy from about halfway through the 3rd quarter. It was hillarious.

No I think its OK.

Hijack a 4 year old thread to talk about nonsense teams from up to 10 years ago and whos mascots could eat whos.... very strange. :cool:

Badgers? BADGERS?

We don't need no stinkin' badgers.

I've used this comment more than once "Coach, my strike zone was set before this game started and it ain't changing"....and I hope that he gets the message that his/her batters must adjust to me--not me to them.

Actually, though, you should strive to call the strike zone as it is written. I know of several people who are happy to call "their strike zone," admitting and almost proud that they never give up anything "above the belt...etc."

That's kinda like winning a 14B regional, isn't it? :) (Come on, Mark. You asked for that one.)

To me, that is a foolish umpire. After all, it isn't his to give up.

Totally agree with that... why would you want to cut the upper half of the zone out? thats just more strikes that are lost! and just to continue the other discussion with mascots. the Virginia Commonwelth Rams are the "winner take all"