What is the official strike zone for a pitched ball?

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Feb 7, 2013
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Question came up as to the definition of a strike?

Is it a strike if ANY part of the pitched ball has entered the strike zone or does the ENTIRE ball have to enter the strike zone?

The second questions is, does location matter low/high/inside/outside?

The last question is, do umpires have a bias to want to see the ENTIRE ball inside the strike zone for low/high pitches but are conditioned to call a strike for inside/outside pitches that "hit the corner" or "black" of home plate?
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
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If any part of the ball enters the strike zone it is a strike.

Depending on rule set, the strike zone is from the armpits to the top of the knee and the width of the plate. And, the black edge to home plate is not part of the strike zone. But, you would have people screaming if any umpire actually called a strike at the armpit.

Every umpire is going to have a slightly different personal judgment of the strike zone.
 
Feb 3, 2011
1,880
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Are you asking for the umpire's strike zone, the coach's strike zone, the hitter's strike zone, or the pitcher's parent's strike zone??
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
If you could throw a pitch that literately landed on the plate coming (almost) straight down, (think slow-pitch with a 50 ft arch), I assume by your definition would that be a strike?

We were debating this at the ballpark last weekend.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
If any part of the ball enters the strike zone it is a strike.

Depending on rule set, the strike zone is from the armpits to the top of the knee and the width of the plate. And, the black edge to home plate is not part of the strike zone. But, you would have people screaming if any umpire actually called a strike at the armpit.

Every umpire is going to have a slightly different personal judgment of the strike zone.

I thought the high strike was lowered down to the sternum (not arm pits?) or was that only college ball?

I know you are an umpire, what's your personal strike zone? For example, do you call it by the book or do you expect certain locations to be "more of a strike" (more of the ball entering the strike zone versus the corners).

For D1 college and MLB, the strike zone seems tiny (especially the high strike zone where anything at the belly button or above is a ball).
 
Jun 18, 2010
2,624
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It is supposed to be this big, but seldom is.

strike_zone.jpg
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
If you could throw a pitch that literately landed on the plate coming (almost) straight down, (think slow-pitch with a 50 ft arch), I assume by your definition would that be a strike?

We were debating this at the ballpark last weekend.

I have seen a few change-ups that almost meet your definition that were called strikes!
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
The definition of the strike zone varies by org/association.

NCAA -
11.3 Balls and Strikes
11.3.1 Strike zone. The zone is the area above home plate between the bottom of
the batter’s sternum and the top of her knees when she assumes her natural
batting stance. The top of the ball must be on or within the horizontal plane,
and either side of the ball must be on or within the vertical plane of the strike
zone to be a strike unless the ball touches the ground before reaching home
plate. (See diagrams at the end of this rule.)
11.3.1.1 The pitch shall be judged to be a strike or a ball as it crosses home
plate, not where it is caught by the catcher.
11.3.1.2 The pitch shall be judged a strike or a ball in relation to the batter’s
natural position as the pitch crosses home plate.
 

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Last edited:
Jan 18, 2010
4,284
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In your face
Comp, what RT and I would like to know is the official zone for college as written. Also is there any variation as what the umpire's are trained/asked to call?

One ump at a college game said the entire ball had to be below the sternum now? Is that correct?
 

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