Slowpitch Strikes & Balls

[tzme415]

When setting up to call a pitch in SP, I try to get my eyes even with where I think the batters back shoulder would be with a normal stance. Then I am watching the pitch in 4 steps.

I am watching for a legal delivery.
I am watching the arc and speed of the pitch. Are they legal?
Does the ball go over the plate below where my eyes are set?
Does the ball hit the plate?

I never worry about the pitch being below the front knee - From everything I've ever been told, If the pitch is legal and does not hit the plate then it should be at or above the front knee when crossing the plate. I also don't watch where the ball lands to call it a ball or strike; the strike zone is defined by where the ball crosses the plate, not where it lands.

One pet peeve of mine is when an umpire says a ball was "Deep", there is no such thing. It could have been high or illegal, but not deep.

One other thing is try to call the pitch 'Illegal' as soon as you see it is illegal. A batter can still swing, but if called too late; the batter is almost compelled to swing if it might be a strike, especially with 2 strikes. This is hardest on those pitches reaching an arc of about 5 1/2 feet and coming at a speed that is borderline. The ball gets there almost as fast as you can say 'Illegal'. The ball going over 12 feet gives you more time, but call it as soon as it goes over 12' in your judgement.