Hey Blue!!! What's your Strike Zone???

[spiritumpa]

I think these two quotes are spot on:

See the image below that represents Kylejt's point:

I have been taught that as a pitched ball enters the top or the bottom of the strike zone, a pitch should cover more of the plate to be considered a strike. Thus pitches 2, 8 (covering the heart of the plate) I will call a strike. Now, for pitches that are in or out, or on the "black" I require that pitch to be at or near the "mid-point" of the batters "strike-zone". So in this example pitches 4, 6 I will call strikes.

Now... Allot of umpires think of the strike zone in terms of the pitcher's ability to consistently hit the same "spots". Some umpires may even expand their zone slightly if a pitcher can continuously hit the mitt in the same spot. As umpire's we are trained to be impartial judges. So why reward the pitcher in a manner that penalizes the batter?

Let's look at the strike zone in the eyes of the batter. Most "shaving age kids" (Varsity and above) have played enough baseball to understand what the strike zone is. Most discipline hitters WILL NOT Swing at pitches on the corners of the "Rule Book" strike zone (Darker baseballs in the image). The reason being, these pitches are virtually "unhittable". Not unhittable in the sense "can never be hit", but more in terms of there is a low probability of getting a base hit. From either side of the plate, a batter that puts a bat on these balls will either miss, hit it foul, or ground out. So in my opinion, calling these pitches strikes will put the hitter at a disadvantage, thus giving the pitcher an advantage. Calling these pitches strikes, will tell the batter that he needs to be swinging at balls in these locations. Advantage Pitcher! A good Varsity or college pitcher will pick up on this and begin to LIVE in these locations. Now, on pitches that are low and in or away and high and in or away, this is where the concept of "rounding the corners" comes into play. Take note of the updated locations for balls 1,3,7, 9. These are "hittable" pitches. Calling pitches in these locations does not put the hitter at a disadvantage.

To Quote Pete: "The REAL definition of the strike zone is that zone which is accepted for the leagues we service." I couldn't agree more. My 12 yr old zone is not the same as my Varsity zone which is not the same as my College zone. Although the zones are not the same, the concepts I use to enforce them are. I do not expand the zone such that it puts the pitcher or batter at an advantage or disadvantage. The key is consistency. I work hard to stay consistant on pitches up, down, out and in. I do this by concentrating on working the slot, keeping proper head height, tricking the ball into the mit and slowing my timing down to make sure I "see" the pitch again and then..... I call it!

in your post you state the the pitch hits the corner you will not call a strike because it is to hard to hit?????? In my opinion---Give the pitcher his due those are pitchers out pitches. I call the zone as what the zone is a rectangle.

[mstaylor]

In a different thread it was mentioned that the strike zone changes depending on the type of bat used.

So can someone explain how that applies to the the diagrams?

I must have missed that thread. I can't imagine how a bat has anything to do with calling strikes.

As far as the diagram is concerned, I use the bottom of the elbows as a guide, as well as the bottom of the knee. I am stingy inside, even stingier up and in. I will call down and away but not up and away.

It has to hit the zone but I don't round the down zone. Many times I have told catchers I can give down or away but not down and away.

[UmpTTS43]

In a different thread it was mentioned that the strike zone changes depending on the type of bat used.

So can someone explain how that applies to the the diagrams?

That was a thread I posted earlier.

I will try to be quick and precise with my answer.

With an aluminum bat I will give 1/2 to a full ball on the outside corner and 1/2 ball on the inside. With a wood bat, I give the same 1/2 to a full ball out but the inside must hit the black.

There are those that don't agree with, or understand, this philosophy. All I can say is that the games I work, this zone works quite well for me.

One thing that I have learned, with a certain level, is that on the low strike, it must not go lower than the hollow of the rear leg. In amateur ball, I can get the low strike that gets the hollow of the knee of the lead leg.

One thing that I have noticed with the diagrams is that if you want to round the corners, only do so when you expand the zone. You must always get strikes when they are over the plate. You cannot take away the inside hollow of the knee on the black. This is a money pitch and is well deserved.

I know that our strike zones differ from umpire to umpire, but I use what I have found works for me.

[mstaylor]

I don't want to bust your chops but why the difference between metal and wood? The only logic I can think of is too much inside will saw a wood bat off. My inside has more to do with the ability of the players. If the pitching is subpar I will allow less inside.

[JaxRolo]

I worked a HS game tonight where the Seniors were using wood bats and everyone else Aluminum bats. So Am i supposed to change my strike zone for the Seniors? B)

[mazzamouth]

all depends on how the catchers catches them.. any of those could be a ball or a strike.. presentation Is #1.

[mazzamouth]

your not ( or should not ) call 1-2-3 in any game above HS.. I know Im not calling those is a college game.

[kwiggie]

all depends on how the catchers catches them.. any of those could be a ball or a strike.. presentation Is #1.

Agreed,

A good set of catchers goes a long ways in making for a consistant day...

[Mason-Dixon Blue]

I subscribe to the "Oval Strike Zone" theory.

If a pitch is borderline two ways, I hesitate to call it.

1,3,7 &9 are borderline two ways.

[TX-UIC]

I worked a HS game tonight where the Seniors were using wood bats and everyone else Aluminum bats. So Am i supposed to change my strike zone for the Seniors? B)

Why would you change your zone... because of the wood bats vs metal?

A strike is a strike...

[JaxRolo]

I worked a HS game tonight where the Seniors were using wood bats and everyone else Aluminum bats. So Am i supposed to change my strike zone for the Seniors? B)

Why would you change your zone... because of the wood bats vs metal?

A strike is a strike...

If you go back and read the rest of the thread you will see why I was asking that question. Some on here say they change it depending on the bats.

[TX-UIC]

In a different thread it was mentioned that the strike zone changes depending on the type of bat used.

So can someone explain how that applies to the the diagrams?

That was a thread I posted earlier.

I will try to be quick and precise with my answer.

With an aluminum bat I will give 1/2 to a full ball on the outside corner and 1/2 ball on the inside. With a wood bat, I give the same 1/2 to a full ball out but the inside must hit the black.

There are those that don't agree with, or understand, this philosophy. All I can say is that the games I work, this zone works quite well for me.

One thing that I have learned, with a certain level, is that on the low strike, it must not go lower than the hollow of the rear leg. In amateur ball, I can get the low strike that gets the hollow of the knee of the lead leg.

One thing that I have noticed with the diagrams is that if you want to round the corners, only do so when you expand the zone. You must always get strikes when they are over the plate. You cannot take away the inside hollow of the knee on the black. This is a money pitch and is well deserved.

I know that our strike zones differ from umpire to umpire, but I use what I have found works for me.

WOW... tell me you are really are not serious here... changing the strike zone because of the type bat.... so if Player A comes up with a Wood bat and the next player Player B comes up with a metal bat you are changing your zone... that is not your job you need to be consistent no matter what the bat is you are influencing the game... so if I batter comes up with a 29 inch bat vs a 34 inch bat do you take the outside corner from the pitcher cause the batter is using a smaller bat... I guess if there is a rule you don't like you won't call it... You are there to be fair and consistent...

[TX-UIC]

I worked a HS game tonight where the Seniors were using wood bats and everyone else Aluminum bats. So Am i supposed to change my strike zone for the Seniors? B)

Why would you change your zone... because of the wood bats vs metal?

A strike is a strike...

If you go back and read the rest of the thread you will see why I was asking that question. Some on here say they change it depending on the bats.

OK got it see above

[kylejt]

I think you're missing the point. More likely than not, you're not going to see wooden and metal bats in the same game. Right now, a game played with a wooded bat is going to be played at a higher level, thus you're not going to be calling an inside armpit shot, like you might in a 9 year old game played with carbon bazookas. Savvy?

The skill level of the game will shape your strike zone. Or at least it should.

"A strike is a strike...." - Good, rookie advice. From there you learn from experience what you should be calling in the particular game you're working. On a board like this we're dealing with all sorts of experience and skill levels. Many times there is no one good answer for things. Things that work for my Saturday morning LL game, don't for my Sunday afternoon adult league tilt.

[Strike3urout]

In my area I have quickly noticed that the top of my strike zone depends on the quality of the team usually designated by the quality of the pitching. For games that both teams struggle to throw strikes and don't have blazing fast pitching I don't hesitate to call the 1-2-3 top of the zone.

When a mediocre pitcher throws a high strike it is often an easy pitch for a good hitter to tee off on.

When the teams have better pitching I have noticed when I'm working the bases that my HP partner gets chewed on a lot for the high strike. Some good pitchers with great fastballs throw the high pitch as a waste pitch on 0-2 because it looks good halfway there and when the batter starts to swing and protect the plate he's too late to take it.

When a hard throwing pitcher throws a high strike it is very difficult for a good pitcher to hit fair. They may foul it back to the screen or pop it up but they don't very often hit it for a base hit.

[spiritump]

In my area I have quickly noticed that the top of my strike zone depends on the quality of the team usually designated by the quality of the pitching. For games that both teams struggle to throw strikes and don't have blazing fast pitching I don't hesitate to call the 1-2-3 top of the zone.

When a mediocre pitcher throws a high strike it is often an easy pitch for a good hitter to tee off on.

When the teams have better pitching I have noticed when I'm working the bases that my HP partner gets chewed on a lot for the high strike. Some good pitchers with great fastballs throw the high pitch as a waste pitch on 0-2 because it looks good halfway there and when the batter starts to swing and protect the plate he's too late to take it.

When a hard throwing pitcher throws a high strike it is very difficult for a good pitcher to hit fair. They may foul it back to the screen or pop it up but they don't very often hit it for a base hit.

So you are saying if the pitchert throws hard he has a smaller zone than one with less speed(skill) ---how is that FAIR--we are umps --not PC police

[jkumpire]

For those of you who call 1-2-3 strikes please send me your address where you live. I'd get hammered if I called those pitches strikes where I live and work. If you can get away with them where you live I want to move there!

[plateumpire29]

When someone asks me about my zone, I simply tell them, "when I call it a strike, you can rest assured that its a strike."

[Ump29]

When someone asks me about my zone, I simply tell them, "when I call it a strike, you can rest assured that its a strike."

I like that reply. Also like your name.

[yawetag]

I like that reply. Also like your name.

Looks like you're working the bases.

[plateumpire29]

When someone asks me about my zone, I simply tell them, "when I call it a strike, you can rest assured that its a strike."

I like that reply. Also like your name.

For additional laughs, check out my other postings.

[alex7]

Spiritump,

I think he's making the seemingly simple observation that a guy throwing 90mph isn't going to get a chest high strike (impossible to hit) while an 11-year old throwing batting practice fastballs may get that chest high pitch. Seems very fair to me.

[spiritump]

Spiritump,

I think he's making the seemingly simple observation that a guy throwing 90mph isn't going to get a chest high strike (impossible to hit) while an 11-year old throwing batting practice fastballs may get that chest high pitch. Seems very fair to me.

if you want to keep the same zone for the level you are working thats ok--but just because one guy can throw hard his zone is not as large as someone with lwess skils at the same level.