What has happend to the strike zone?

My question to everyone is - How do you teach a kid to hit, i.e. become a smart, disciplined hitter when the strike zone is so inconsistent?

I kind of get it at the Little League age (9 - 10) and even as we moved to travel ball (11U - 12U) - that you need a "fairly large" strike zone to teach the kids to swing the bat & to move the games along. But I don't get it at the 13U, 14U level - where you have moved to the "big" field, are teaching more "advanced" baseball, "decent" curves & change-ups are introduced, etc.

The last I checked - the strike zone was "the area over home plate from the bottom of the kneecaps to the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants". Now - I don't have an issue with the high strike not being called - it's all ways been that way. A pitcher is lucky if he gets a strike called much above the belt - but - I do have an issue when a strike is called up to a foot (or sometimes more) off of the plate (outside) and as low as mid way between the kneecaps & the ground (some times even ankle low). I have even seen strikes called where the catcher's glove is in the dirt.

All input, ideas, discussion welcomed. It's hard to keep a kid disciplined, focused, & upbeat at the plate, to "trust his swing" - when the bat is quite often taken out of his hands & he is forced to swing at something he can't even reach.

 

I liked Manny's philosophy............

"If you like it.....HIT IT!!!..

 

Vlad

IF it is between the two dugouts... SWING, and SWING HARD!

 

MLB getting it right..................

All one has to do to see that Major League Baseball is getting the strike zone right, most of the time, is watch games on TV where the K-Zone computerized thingie is being used. I say congrats to the major league umpires.
Perhaps our local Blue Crews don't care and they know coaches cannot question balls and strikes calls. I believe some blues make crazy balls and strikes calls 'cause they know it irritates parents immensely...and blue just wants to get noticed.
Shame on them.....

 

Strike Zone?

One thing that seperates good hitters as you progress is the ability to understand the situation and recognize the umpires strike zone. Remember when you have 2 strikes the plate needs to grow 4".

Selective- Aggressiveness will make you a good hitter!

 

One more thing...

Tell him to never trust his swing, but to trust his hands!

Good luck

 

People who evaluate players for a living, can see when a player gets cheated.

Everyday in batting practice, a player should be told if the pitch he swings at/takes is a ball or a strike. This will enhance the 'feel' for the zone.

Have your hitters (especially in off/pre-season bullpens that your pitchers are throwing) stand in. This allows them to track numerous live pitches that they otherwise would not see. --To take this one step further, have the hitter call out "ball" or "strike" as early as they possibly can. However, the emphasis is on getting it right, not speed of reaction. I would rather a hitter wait until the ball is in the mit and think about it, and be right. Then speak immediately on a guess and be wrong. The objective is for the hitter to be able to increase his ability to CONSISTENTLY recognize ball or strike as early as possible and be able to react.

Hope this helps. Do not focus on results. Again, people evaluating should have a feel for the level of strike zone they are witnessing.

The difference between high-A and AA professional hitters is their ability to attack strikes and lay off of balls. Single A hitters will chase the 0-2/1-2 ball out of the zone if a pitcher can repeat his delivery/release point. AA hitters have advanced pitch recognition and strike zone awareness.

 

get your hacks....

Swing early and often. Blue will have a lot less to do with the outcome when the batter is swinging as he determines the outcome, not the umpire.

 

good note

+1

 

My son has always been a pretty good hitter for average and an excellent defensive player. However, he had a huge year last year -- leading his high school, showcase, and legion teams in hitting -- while simultaneously increasing his power numbers as well. After a slow start to his high school season, he began taking my advice -- "Be aggressive early in the count"! As a result, schools took notice, and he will now play at the next level following his senior year. Learning to hit the ball the other way -- as Low and Slow stated -- helps tremendously as well!!