Speaking of Strike Zones

[umpire_scott]

I always envision my strike zone as more on an oval than a rectangle, meaning I'm likely to give a ball or so off the plate (obviously how much depends on the age and skill level) when the pitch is in the middle of the thighs but not in the lower or higher part of the zone. Likewise at the top of bottom of the zone the area gets thinner.

Does anyone see a problem with this.

[Welpe]

Not at all. Mine is more like an egg.

[mstaylor]

Many operate on this basic theory.

[noumpere]

Not at all. Mine is more like an egg.

Yes -- that's it. Anyone who would describe it as an oval is just a smitty who sweeps off the bases, doesnt go for help on a checked swing, asks for help too often on a pulled foot and obviously isnt fit to umpire anything above coach pitch.

Sorry. Force of habit. lol.

[Welpe]

Um...ok. I was actually agreeing with him but saying mine differed a bit in that it's wider at the bottom than the top.

[mstaylor]

He was too, just adding humor to it.

[Guest HankC]

Not at all. Mine is more like an egg.

agreed.

mine is more pear-shaped - similar to *my* shape ;)

[JaxRolo]

Mine is a Trapezoid!

[Umpire in Chief]

Mine's a teacup, Who wants to work the bases with me tonight???

[Jocko]

I will. BTW..... What's a strike zone, some kinda Teamster's thing?

[MPLSMatt]

Mine's a teacup, Who wants to work the bases with me tonight???

Ha! Blue, that looked further inside than the last one. UIC: Yeah, it was, it caught the handle of the tea cup.

[Daniel]

Ha! Blue, that looked further inside than the last one. UIC: Yeah, it was, it caught the handle of the tea cup.

You're okay as long as your strike zone is not a postage stamp. :D

[noumpere]

Or an ameoba (sp?) -- changing on every pitch

[Guest Steve]

My strike zone is nose to toes & box to box

Call strikes :smachhead:

[SoCal Lurker]

Or an ameoba (sp?) -- changing on every pitch

Watched a LL game with an ump where I swear his zone was a rectangle with a tail going down and away -- could get the low strike as long as it was also off the plate outside . . . but he had a consistent amoeba shaped zone . . ,

[Guest umpire78]

I always envision my strike zone as more on an oval than a rectangle, meaning I'm likely to give a ball or so off the plate (obviously how much depends on the age and skill level) when the pitch is in the middle of the thighs but not in the lower or higher part of the zone. Likewise at the top of bottom of the zone the area gets thinner.

Does anyone see a problem with this.

Don't "squeeze" or "compress" the zone. If anything, EXPAND it (depending on age & skill levels). Also, how can you use an "oval" zone when the plate is 5-sided and the batter's strike zone is in a line between two areas? Sounds like you are trying to put a round peg in a square hole. Just a thought.

[Dannytheman]

I always envision my strike zone as more on an oval than a rectangle, meaning I'm likely to give a ball or so off the plate (obviously how much depends on the age and skill level) when the pitch is in the middle of the thighs but not in the lower or higher part of the zone. Likewise at the top of bottom of the zone the area gets thinner.

Does anyone see a problem with this.

Don't "squeeze" or "compress" the zone. If anything, EXPAND it (depending on age & skill levels). Also, how can you use an "oval" zone when the plate is 5-sided and the batter's strike zone is in a line between two areas? Sounds like you are trying to put a round peg in a square hole. Just a thought.

Do enough games and you will see the egg! The ball is round, the bat is round, your eyes are round. Speed them all up and they look egg shaped.

Good umps call an oval, it has been proven many times.

[Guest umpire78]

I always envision my strike zone as more on an oval than a rectangle, meaning I'm likely to give a ball or so off the plate (obviously how much depends on the age and skill level) when the pitch is in the middle of the thighs but not in the lower or higher part of the zone. Likewise at the top of bottom of the zone the area gets thinner.

Does anyone see a problem with this.

Don't "squeeze" or "compress" the zone. If anything, EXPAND it (depending on age & skill levels). Also, how can you use an "oval" zone when the plate is 5-sided and the batter's strike zone is in a line between two areas? Sounds like you are trying to put a round peg in a square hole. Just a thought.

Do enough games and you will see the egg! The ball is round, the bat is round, your eyes are round. Speed them all up and they look egg shaped.

Good umps call an oval, it has been proven many times.

I've done enough games. The strike zone is a "box" NOT an "egg." Even eggs come in a box.

[yawetag]

[NFUA_44]

This has gotta be one sore chicken!

[Typhoon]

Jeez I think one of SWMBO's bras would fit those.

[Guest Guest]

I always envision my strike zone as more on an oval than a rectangle, meaning I'm likely to give a ball or so off the plate (obviously how much depends on the age and skill level) when the pitch is in the middle of the thighs but not in the lower or higher part of the zone. Likewise at the top of bottom of the zone the area gets thinner.

Does anyone see a problem with this.

In the upper levels (Jr/Sr/Big), yes, the "oval" SZ comes in to play. However, at the lower levels, USE THE RECTANGLE.

[JaxRolo]

Jocko uses a Trapezoid

[wmmliggett]

My strike zone is whatever appears to be hittable

[IABlue]

I use a Hoberman Sphere and/or an icosidodecahedron, depending on how frisky I feel that evening.

[bam]

I use a Hoberman Sphere and/or an icosidodecahedron, depending on how frisky I feel that evening.

The Hoberman Sphere is easier to call from behind the mound.