I thought about putting this on the pitching thread, but am interested in the views of our esteemed umpires, catchers, and coaches.
One of several accommodations we have made to COVID-19 in our local play is the plate umpire standing behind the pitcher to call balls and strikes. That is, from about 49 to 50 feet away. This obviously has to change the game, though I am still trying to puzzle out how exactly. I've watched several games like this now and, anecdotally, I don't think it is doing pitchers any favors. (yes, my DD is a pitcher. LOL!).
Not sure how the umpire sees clearly where the ball is crossing the front of the plate. We had the experience this past weekend with multiple pitchers of many low fastballs or dropballs not getting called for strikes. I am thinking this might be because the catcher often needs to move her glove down to catch the ball near the back of the plate adding to a perception that the pitch was too low? We also had trouble getting the call on the front inside corner on a screwball. All pitchers seemed affected and were throwing many more balls than the "back of their baseball card" suggested they would be. My DD, in particular, was struggling with the umpire's zone, asked politely a couple times where things were missing, but could not figure it out consistently. She was convinced that she was throwing many more strikes than were getting called and I think she was probably right.
Perspectives welcome.
One of several accommodations we have made to COVID-19 in our local play is the plate umpire standing behind the pitcher to call balls and strikes. That is, from about 49 to 50 feet away. This obviously has to change the game, though I am still trying to puzzle out how exactly. I've watched several games like this now and, anecdotally, I don't think it is doing pitchers any favors. (yes, my DD is a pitcher. LOL!).
Not sure how the umpire sees clearly where the ball is crossing the front of the plate. We had the experience this past weekend with multiple pitchers of many low fastballs or dropballs not getting called for strikes. I am thinking this might be because the catcher often needs to move her glove down to catch the ball near the back of the plate adding to a perception that the pitch was too low? We also had trouble getting the call on the front inside corner on a screwball. All pitchers seemed affected and were throwing many more balls than the "back of their baseball card" suggested they would be. My DD, in particular, was struggling with the umpire's zone, asked politely a couple times where things were missing, but could not figure it out consistently. She was convinced that she was throwing many more strikes than were getting called and I think she was probably right.
Perspectives welcome.