"Where was that pitch?"

[first2third]

first off to answer the question, I tell the catcher inside or outside. never say high or low the coach can see that and if you say high or low they will keep chirping. If chirping gets to much just ask the coach "you're not questioning the strike zone are you? If you are I we both know I will have to ask you to leave."

A few years back a coach asked me, "How do you know the pitch is a strike?" I said, "That's easy my right arm goes up." Coach and partner both chuckled and that was the last comment I heard all day.

Consistency and timing on balls and strikes usually avoids this problem unless you are dealing with inexperienced coaches.

[CecilOne]

Don't know coach. I looked all over the strike zone and couldn't find it.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Don't know coach. I looked all over the strike zone and couldn't find it.

LOL, I like that one. Consider it stolen.

[argodad]

I like to establish a "professionally friendly" relationship with all my catchers. If the coach is asking the catcher, and the catcher asks me, I'll usually respond "missed by two inches" or "just off" once or twice. She knows where it missed. If she keeps asking, I might respond, "Where do you think it was?" She almost always answers her own question.

Egads, I hate that question in slow pitch. Usually the rec guys, I'll say "nowhere near the strike zone" (and that is usually the truth!). The competitive guys usually don't ask because they know where they're throwing it and what I'm calling, and will adjust.

[wadeintothem]

Ah! Slow Pitch..

well then the answer is "Look it didnt even it the mat, theres the mark right there."

*ducks*

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Ah! Slow Pitch..

well then the answer is "Look it didnt even it the mat, theres the mark right there."

*ducks*

Heh, sometimes that shuts them up. The hard ones are the ones that are high, over the top of the batter's strike zone. Easy call when the catcher has to lift his glove, but I usually get the "stoopid" question. My answer: If you had to lift your glove to show me your amazing catching talent, you should know the answer to your question by now." (Yes, smartass answer, but developed from being a college instructor!)

[azbigdawg]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Ah! Slow Pitch..

well then the answer is "Look it didnt even it the mat, theres the mark right there."

*ducks*

&*%@(^#%*@ IDIOT $Y(^^#%@% mat is the WORST thing to ever happen to slow pitch.....

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

LOL, I like that one. Consider it stolen.

By me, as well (i.e., not original)

[stevegarbs]

Originally Posted by first2third

first off to answer the question, I tell the catcher inside or outside. never say high or low the coach can see that and if you say high or low they will keep chirping. If chirping gets to much just ask the coach "you're not questioning the strike zone are you? If you are I we both know I will have to ask you to leave."

A few years back a coach asked me, "How do you know the pitch is a strike?" I said, "That's easy my right arm goes up." Coach and partner both chuckled and that was the last comment I heard all day.

Consistency and timing on balls and strikes usually avoids this problem unless you are dealing with inexperienced coaches.

Thanks for this answer. As a football official and softball coach, I feel like I am operating in two different worlds. As a coach I know that I only ask this question when I can't tell if the pitch was in or out- as you say I can usually see if it is up or down. Thanks for being willing to provide this information.

I do understand from other's posts that this is usually a thinly-veiled attempt to question calls. But please try to consider that not every coach is just a coach, and some do have the utmost respect for our partners who wear blue/red/grey instead of B&W stripes!