The reality on the field is that, if the umpire calls it a strike, it's a strike. End of story.
Florida vs. USF Plate Umpire
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The reality on the field is that, if the umpire calls it a strike, it's a strike. End of story.
- May 17, 2012
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So if an umpire doesn't call an illegal pitch on a leap or crow hop does that then make those pitching movements legal?
I don't disagree with your "reality" but it can't be both ways.
There is a discussion in another thread with regards to pitching rules and what's actively being enforced. We all know that the strike zone is what the umpire is calling each game and not what's written in the rule book. We would expect these to be the same but it's not always true.
If leaping and replanting are not being called/enforced is it really a rule? Should you be teaching those movements if there is a benefit?
There was talk about "integrity", and playing by the rulebook. While I don't disagree the rulebook isn't matching the reality of what I see on the field.
- Feb 12, 2014
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I agree totally. Walton had to be embarrassed last night, though. This was so egregious that it makes his program look bad. I'm sure he wants an advantage but I'm also sure that he'd like it to be a little less conspicuous than these two calls made it seem.
There's also the possibility that the plate umpire last night was just that bad. It was the repeated refusal to even talk to the other umpires that really floored me. Umpires should want to get the calls right and this guy didn't seem terribly concerned about that!
For the duration of one pitch, if it was not called an IP by the umpire(s) of that game, than it was not an IP. It may well be called IP on the next pitch. This is part of the human element of umpiring.
For the sake of teaching our players, we should teach the game by the rules. However, we should also teach our players that they need to adapt to the reality of how the game is being called on the field. If the PU has a low and wide strike zone (for example), batters, pitchers, and catchers should understand how to make adjustments to that zone.
While I agree that umpires strike zone vary and player must adapt, the zone as called is hopefully an attempt to adhere to what is in the rule book. Not what the umpire thinks it should be. I am sure you would agree that the HC of the home team should not influence the zone in any way.
Tim still has nightmares about Kaylee Puailoa - can't EVER let that happen again.
(don't know how to edit - but 1:33:50 or so into the game - whenever I need a little umph - I watch this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCNMDuMUBow&t=5647s)
(don't know how to edit - but 1:33:50 or so into the game - whenever I need a little umph - I watch this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCNMDuMUBow&t=5647s)
I agree with you 100%. There is no place for blatant favoritism, nor is it appropriate for an HC to dictate a strike zone other than what is in the rule book.
Man, those two calls were about as bad as they come. And the ump had no interest in Eriksen's request for help, either. Terrible.
martianr
Softball DAD
I just watched the two questionable(bad) calls. The announcer had a great line "it is his field(PU) and they are just playing on it". I might of pulled my team after the grand slam, but I bet the USF coach was in such shock he didn't know what to do.
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Just watched the replay of the game. I hope USF sends the video to the SEC commissioner. It is one thing to miss a call, but to be an rear and not even consult with the field umpire who had a better view seems unexcuseable...
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