Confessions of a HS umpire

[Braves]

I love this guy's honesty:


Although never having attended a "pro school", I am a frequent attendee to clinics and a many year veteran of HS and youth baseball. I am a low ball, inside umpire. This was confirmed to me based on a videotape of a simulated inning.

I always thought that I had a consistant strike zone. That being said, I feel my zone from from the plate up is solid, all 17 inches, and that my plate has corners. Now maybe that it is that I am only 5'7", but it is clear to me that when I am in my natural stance, I call a strike on a pitch that is low when the batter is taller.

Now, I have made an effort to be more aware of the position of the batters zone when he takes his initial stance, but I know that I am more apt to call the low chest to below the knee a strike.

If there is a silver lining to this, I have been told that I do not vary from this from inning to inning, which gives the batter an opportunity to get a feel for my zone. My feel for the strike zone is a part of my game I try and work on every year.


Any thoughts on this?

[SouthPawDad]

Consistancy!! That's all a hiiter - and pitcher - look for. Set the strike zone and work with it. Nothing confuses the hitters or pitchers more than a "moving" strike zone. Not to mention how it infuriates coaches and fans.

I have noticed, especially in early season games, how the strike zone changes according to how tired the umpire gets. Umps, like players need to be in "game shape". As the early ballgames progress, umps tend to "straighten up" as their back and legs begin to fatigue. As a result, the strike zone changes. The same is true with games in the middle of summer. Notice how many umps begin to call the game "on one knee" as the heat begins to take it's toll.

[fatman]

Braves, good job. If you umped high school ball two years ago, I believe I know who you are.

My son as a senior had a pretty good fastball that he liked to pitch low and inside.

Several of the opposing team's coaches, players, and parents complained that he was getting all the calls. At one game, I knew several parents of the opposing team, and commented that the ump might have an unusual strike zone, but he was consistently calling the low inside pitch for both sides. I also commented that this was not the first time this particular ump called one of our games; that the ump called the same strike zone the last time we had him. They agreed.

Again, good job! I believe that as long as the strike zone is consistent, the umpiring is good. It's the job of the pitchers and hitters to adjust.

[Mudcat]

Again, good job! I believe that as long as the strike zone is consistent, the umpiring is good. It's the job of the pitchers and hitters to adjust.

I feel it is the umpires job to adjust to the individual hitters height. When an umpire consistently call a low strike, he is taking the bat out of the hitters hands and giving all the advantage to the pitcher. Umpires should always strive to call the strike zone as set forth in the rules.

We play a lot in SC in the summer time. I have found that their umpires do a better job of calling a true strike zone (Higher Strike) than the umpires in NC. I spoke with one last summer about it and he said that they have put an emphasis on getting away from calling the "low strike" and are calling strikes based on the rule.

Hitters and pitchers should "never" have to adjust to a particular umpires style. Just call the strike zone as written in the rules.

[Dawgfan]

Ill take an ump thats consistent any time, over the floating strike zone. I tell my pitchers and hitters that the strike zone is wherever the ump calls it. some give a little low and some in or out. No-matter, it should only take a half inning to figure out, as long as he is consistent.
Hitters need to adjust to whatever pitch is thrown all day so adjusting to an umps zone should not be a problem.

[Braves]

When it comes to baseball, two things that are very frustrating are a floating strike zone and a player complaining after taking a third strike pitch..sheesh, you need to be up there hacking

[Dawgfan]

Your right Braves
If its close enough to call its close enough to hit.

[Braves]

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