Umpires: Call a STRIKE ZONE

GOINGDEEP said:

If the zone is consistent both ways, not much you can do about it. If its not going both ways, I'll be the first to get my money's worth and be tossed. I understand and im considerate for a couple of "close ones", after 10 bad calls I draw a line and put on a show.

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I got tossed last year. This had been building over the tournament - this ump was doing his 3rd plate in our games and had a stamp sized zone (and we are free swingers so we are going to hit balls in a strike zone whatever the umpire is calling which meant the other team was walking a lot and we just don't - our philosophy is 'be hitters - not walkers. Hitters make teams'):

*smack* Pitch down middle, catcher doesn't move. "Ball"

ME - "Nice pitch, XXX. Right where I asked for it"

UMP - "It was a ball"

ME - "I didn't say it was a strike, I just said it was a nice pitch"

UMP - "You can't argue balls and strikes with me"

--Now I can't help myself --

ME - "Well you got that right. I can only argue balls with you since you haven't actually made a called strike call all day"

And I had to watch the next game from the car park

Ah, but there is truly a bright side about inconsistent zones and umpires. They serve to give the parents an immediate focal point for their complaining and second guessing, which leaves the same parents with less energy after the game to undress the coaching staff!

Its disheartening to see my DD, and all pitchers who work their butts off to hit corners in a game only to be called balls. Usually they end up throwing down the middle, which goes against what they were taught by their PC's.

At older ages, the pitches down the middle are dangerous. They come back at the pitcher so hard and fast, it's a miracle more pitchers aren't losing their teeth. If an umpire's zone is consistent, high, low, in or out, that's great. Good pitchers and good hitters will adjust to the umpire's zone, but don't call one girl out looking on a pitch in the dirt and call ball four on the next at bat at her hips. It's no fun for anyone, pitchers or hitters.

I did want to mention that during the tournament my dd played in this weekend, she was lucky enough to have a couple of umpires that have worked as a team for as long as I can remember. It is a pleasure watching good umpiring. These two know how to rotate and cover the bases. They communicate all the time using hand signals. They are never in this for themselves or to make themselves a part of the show. What I also like about each one is that if a coach has a problem they will listen and give a response. Then, if the coach misbehaves, they will very comely walk away while the other one steps in and issues a warning. These two guys are the most respected umpires I know and I consider a blessing to get to watch them work a game.

Cannonball said:

I did want to mention that during the tournament my dd played in this weekend, she was lucky enough to have a couple of umpires that have worked as a team for as long as I can remember. It is a pleasure watching good umpiring. These two know how to rotate and cover the bases. They communicate all the time using hand signals. They are never in this for themselves or to make themselves a part of the show. What I also like about each one is that if a coach has a problem they will listen and give a response. Then, if the coach misbehaves, they will very comely walk away while the other one steps in and issues a warning. These two guys are the most respected umpires I know and I consider a blessing to get to watch them work a game.

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We once got the entire crop of the regular high school division umpires for a 10U tournament due to a scheduling mix up. It was fantastic - they had a total blast doing the younger kids and the games ran smoothly and handled well from start to finish. I heard the HS division didn't go so well that weekend.

DD tries to have fun with the umpires that have a very small zone. Her favorite pitch is a curve so she will try to clip the outside edge of the zone until he starts calling it. She tells me that she can change this type of umpires zone about 1/3 of the time.

I'm thinking for those umpires who seem to struggle with calling corners we give them the multi-colored home plate to help them out.

Softball Mom: Good one....add in the K Zone so they don't have to think much and we're set!

mizunomp37 said:

Its disheartening to see my DD, and all pitchers who work their butts off to hit corners in a game only to be called balls. Usually they end up throwing down the middle, which goes against what they were taught by their PC's.

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My youngest ran into this 3 of her last 4 games. It screwed with her head. I could see her doing the aiming of pitches in game 3. Slowing down to "throw a strike."