Calling a Strike on a Dropped Ball

[HeadHunterLA]

A strike, is a strike.  And doesn't that get me closer to end game?

[noumpere]

A strike, is a strike.  And doesn't that get me closer to end game?

In general, yes, but if you have to take time to deal with the complaining coach, etc. it might not be true in this specific instance

[HeadHunterLA]

 

A strike, is a strike.  And doesn't that get me closer to end game?

In general, yes, but if you have to take time to deal with the complaining coach, etc. it might not be true in this specific instance

 

Lowering the boom on a coach complaining about the strike zone takes all of 2 seconds

[mtnump]

Called one the other day on the knee high, outside borderline that went off the catcher's glove and to the backstop.  Told me my timing was too fast - told him I wouldn't make the same mistake twice! 

[soapbox]

If catching the ball was a requirement for a strike, I'd have F1 walking them around all day.  Until someone can show me a rule book that defines a strike as being "must caught", I'll use my best judgement.  Same goes for F2 that sets up on outer edge of plate, just to have F1 hit inside portion.  Looks dumb, but every game would be 3 + hours.

[Mad Mike]

On my way home, I stopped at a Babe Ruth field to take in a few innings of a ball game in progress (they are using OBR). I am watching the two umpires on the field who are obviously trying, but it is painful to watch. Bases loaded, 2 outs, 3-2 count.

 

Pitch comes in, BR swings, misses, catcher misses the ball and BR takes off. Umpire comes up with out signal. Everybody seems to accept this. In between innings before I leave, I cannot help myself. I approach the fence and ask the guy what rules they are using. He turns and says "BBCOR". I try to keep a straight face without busting out laughing. I thank him and head out enjoying a good laugh during the ride home. Thanks Ump!

[KLAH316]

 

No.... Swinging is always a strike.

I though we were talking about called strikes.

 

Your statement was unconditioned. Catcher whiffs it - never a strike.

 

No, Catcher whiffs it and IT HITS ME - Never a strike! 

[Pete Peterson Sr]

If catching the ball was a requirement for a strike, I'd have F1 walking them around all day.  Until someone can show me a rule book that defines a strike as being "must caught", I'll use my best judgement.  Same goes for F2 that sets up on outer edge of plate, just to have F1 hit inside portion.  Looks dumb, but every game would be 3 + hours.

 

 

In big boy ball in this area, pitchers are expected to hit their spots. The coaches we deal with do not want strikes called FOR their own pitcher if he misses his spot badly. So around here, if a catcher has to traverse the width of the plate to stick one, BALL....

[IABlue]

 

 

Someone above said a strike is a strike. I COMPLETELY agree. I've never met an umpire who didn't LOVE STRIKES!!

Really?

 

I've met A LOT of them.

[IABlue]

did this this season, center of plate. mid thigh in a college game F2 misses, and I got ripped by mgr and assigner. 

Your assigner is an IDIOT, or else you are overexaggerating how fat the pitch was.

 

I would do the opposite of what he says from now on.

[IABlue]

 

If catching the ball was a requirement for a strike, I'd have F1 walking them around all day.  Until someone can show me a rule book that defines a strike as being "must caught", I'll use my best judgement.  Same goes for F2 that sets up on outer edge of plate, just to have F1 hit inside portion.  Looks dumb, but every game would be 3 + hours.

 

 

In big boy ball in this area, pitchers are expected to hit their spots. The coaches we deal with do not want strikes called FOR their own pitcher if he misses his spot badly. So around here, if a catcher has to traverse the width of the plate to stick one, BALL....

 

The coaches in your area are idiots.

[Mike Prince]

 

did this this season, center of plate. mid thigh in a college game F2 misses, and I got ripped by mgr and assigner. 

Your assigner is an IDIOT, or else you are overexaggerating how fat the pitch was.

 

I would do the opposite of what he says from now on.

 

 

Maybe this works for you where you work, but advice like this is pure nonsense and contributes nothing to the discussion.

 

Lots of different responses based on level of ball here.  Sounds like for lower levels a strike is a strike regardless of how bad F2 butchers it, as you go up the tolerance gets tighter and you need a functional F2 to get the strike.

[HeadHunterLA]

So I worked a LL Juniors (13/14) game last night with a partner who is fairly new and does primarily high school ball.  My new name for him is Keyhole, couldn't believe how tight his zone was all night long.  As a result instead of hitters looking to swing the bat they came up looking to walk and the game had no flow whatsoever.  Pitchers, coaches and fans were frustrated and rightly so.  Call more strikes dammit.

[Mike Prince]

So I worked a LL Juniors (13/14) game last night with a partner who is fairly new and does primarily high school ball.  My new name for him is Keyhole, couldn't believe how tight his zone was all night long.  As a result instead of hitters looking to swing the bat they came up looking to walk and the game had no flow whatsoever.  Pitchers, coaches and fans were frustrated and rightly so.  Call more strikes dammit.

 

So if a catcher dropped the occasionally called strike was he still calling a strike?

[HeadHunterLA]

 

So I worked a LL Juniors (13/14) game last night with a partner who is fairly new and does primarily high school ball.  My new name for him is Keyhole, couldn't believe how tight his zone was all night long.  As a result instead of hitters looking to swing the bat they came up looking to walk and the game had no flow whatsoever.  Pitchers, coaches and fans were frustrated and rightly so.  Call more strikes dammit.

 

So if a catcher dropped the occasionally called strike was he still calling a strike?

 

He didn't call many strikes, period.