crowding the plate

[BretMan]

I just slide a few inches over toward the plate.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by BretMan

I just slide a few inches over toward the plate.

This is the approach I take as well. I want to track the pitch from the pitcher's hand all the way to the mitt.

Keep in mind that since the batter is the one forcing you out of optimum position, that the benefit of the doubt should go to the pitcher.

I also believe that if the batter is crowding the plate, there is VERY little room for an inside pitch that doesn't hit the batter to be a ball....if you understand what I'm sayin.....

[tcannizzo]

Originally Posted by Andy

This is the approach I take as well. I want to track the pitch from the pitcher's hand all the way to the mitt.

Keep in mind that since the batter is the one forcing you out of optimum position, that the benefit of the doubt should go to the pitcher.

I also believe that if the batter is crowding the plate, there is VERY little room for an inside pitch that doesn't hit the batter to be a ball....if you understand what I'm sayin.....

How about when the batter is crowding and catcher sets up inside.
Slight adjustment is probably what I do as well, but I try to hold as much as possible.

[txtrooper]

I ask the catcher to give me a view of the plate and make an adjustment to get the best view possible.

[Andy]

I will not ask a catcher or any player to adjust position for me.
We need to work around players.

That being said, there is one line I will use with a catcher that wants to keep blocking me...

"Catch...help me call strikes"

[HugoTafurst]

I run across the same situation and play with the similar choices EXCEPT:
I keep in mind that NEITHER the batter (legally) crowding the plate, nor the catcher (legally) setting up inside is any excuse for me to punish by favoring one or the other. (as tempting as it may be )

What I see, I see, What is, is...... I calls em as I sees em

[KJUmp]

mikeref....good post as it's an issue we all have to deal with from time to time.
I follow Bret's approach (with a tendency to set just a bit higher) and for the reason Andy mentioned....wanting to see the pitch from the time it leaves the pitcher's hand.
Like others have mentioned, I just keep my mouth shut and don't ask players to move/adjust for me.

[justcallmeblue]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

I run across the same situation and play with the similar choices EXCEPT:
I keep in mind that NEITHER the batter (legally) crowding the plate, nor the catcher (legally) setting up inside is any excuse for me to punish by favoring one or the other. (as tempting as it may be )

What I see, I see, What is, is...... I calls em as I sees em

Fully agree. . . .I set up in my normal spot regardless, I also want to see that if the batter gets HIT, that she doesnt have a part of her body that prevents the ball from entering the strike zone.

Had a situation in a 12U 0-2 count. Batter was up in the box, crowding the plate and in a low crouch. . .KNEE was over the batters box and just about over the inside part of the plate. She got plunked in the knee (only reason I saw it was because I didnt change my spot). Pitch was def. a strike. Coach wanted to know why I called it a strike and didnt call it HBP. . .I said "ASA. . .Look up Section 7, 'Strike is called' and its somewhere in there coach, dont have the time to look it up for you. . Gimme a batter" After the inning, he apologized.