Same for me, chiquita. I felt out of place calling the balls and strikes by where the ball actually went in relation to the plate rather than the ground. And I still say they are "high" not "deep" :/ And I still get those funny looks on their faces... sigh.

I think they've started catching on though. :)

I have found if you say high they think you are saying the pitch was higher than 12 feet. If you say deep meaning the pitch missed the top of the strike zone they understand. I know it is wrong because it doesn't matter where the ball hits but sometimes you have to speak their language.

For pitches that exceed the 3'-10' or 6'-12', I call those illegal before they cross the plate.

What's wrong with just saying "BALL"?

WHATTTT?!?!?!?! And actually expect everyone to be satisfied with such a simple response? My God, man, what are you thinking?!?!

;)


BTW, lowering your vocabulary to the player's level is of what myths are made. It also perpetuates their misunderstanding of the strike zone.

AMEN!

Ask the "batter" if it is a ball or an airplane. If they say it is a ball, then say you don't care where it lands.

The other non-question is whether we call the plate or the batter. I'm sure someone has a non-answer for that one.

Either "yes" or "both" will work.

I only use deep if they ask where the pitch was. Other than that it is a ball or strike. I had this happened, they asked where was the pitch. I said high. "You didn't call it illegal" Ok, let just go with deep.

In my dictionary, deep is defined as "extending far downward" or "extending far inward from an outer surface". So how is a pitch "deep" if it extends far upward or far forward?

You could also tell them they are too young for "mat balll".

Yes sir you are correct and I will not use deep again. If they ask me if it is deep and will say yes and it is cold too:-)