borderline pitches

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

Huh?

from OP: "do you always call them strikes "

[MD Longhorn]

There's no borderline. Either it touched the strike zone or it didn't.

[Umpteenth]

Originally Posted by md longhorn

there's no borderline. Either it touched the strike zone or it didn't.

+1

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

There's no borderline. Either it touched the strike zone or it didn't.

That's what I thought.

[DRJ1960]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

There's no borderline. Either it touched the strike zone or it didn't.

this

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

There's no borderline. Either it touched the strike zone or it didn't.

Ahhhh, if it were only that easy...

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Ahhhh, if it were only that easy...

But it is....

[MD Longhorn]

It is that easy. We might be perfect in making that decision ... but I believe any given umpire will be more accurate and more consistent if their mindset is simply - "Did that ball touch the strike zone" as opposed to anything mentioned above. The mindset of "I'm going to give the pitcher's this" or "I'm going to give the batters that" or even "which way should I lean when in doubt" leads to bad umpiring.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

.... The mindset of "I'm going to give the pitcher's this" or "I'm going to give the batters that" or even "which way should I lean when in doubt" leads to bad umpiring.

Speaking for myself, it does lead to an inconsistent zone. I know using a term like "my strike zone" can get people (especially coaches) agitated, but in reality, I need to home in on "my zone" to be consistent.

As I mentioned above, sometimes with low-level pitching, I have to expand the zone just to survive the game, but I don't kid myself. My "adjusted" zone is not nearly as consistent as "my zone".

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

The mindset of "I'm going to give the pitcher's this" or "I'm going to give the batters that" or even "which way should I lean when in doubt" leads to bad umpiring.

Absolutely, that, +1.

[xtremeump]

I am very impressed with everyone on here as there ability to post. As a Coach when I took my team to the Eastern ASA Nationals 14U (A) we played over 60 games that summer. I taught my team that every Umpire is going to be different. I know nobody here will believe that but it is 100% True. My Hitting coach loved the Book Rule K-Zone, my Pitching coach loved the outside K-Zone. Now as an Umpire Call the same for both teams all of the time. We get paid for Strikes and Outs. Be consistent and you will have good Game Management.

[shipwreck]

The NCAA manual says call borderline pitches, strikes. Dave

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

There's no borderline. Either it touched the strike zone or it didn't.

There is a comment in a manual, CCA I think, which says call borderline pitches a strike. I thought my analyzing it would create a good discussion.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

There is a comment in a manual, CCA I think, which says call borderline pitches a strike. I thought my analyzing it would create a good discussion.

If, by that, they mean that if a sliver of the ball touches the very edge of the zone, it's to be called a strike ... then yes - that's a strike - by rule.

[shagpal]

There are other edges to consider that vary from person to person. Quoting definitions is rote and for discussion boorish.

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

If, by that, they mean that if a sliver of the ball touches the very edge of the zone, it's to be called a strike ... then yes - that's a strike - by rule.