Strike Zone Changes

1. How should the strike zone change at each level of baseball?

2. Should the strike zone change at all? Should it be the same for High School as it is in the Big Leagues?

3. What about youth baseball when kids are learning to play the game?

4. Should the strike zone change depending on the score?

5. Does the strike zone change (either consciously or not) from time to time?

I am always frustrated when some people don't understand the subtle changes in the strike zone that occur as a result of the caliber of play, tone of the game, approach of the pitcher or in a 15-0 blowout.

 

I think that at the high school level it is still expanded then tightens up as the level of talent gets better. I do think that all unpires should be evaulated from time to time. There does need to be some standards. I have seen some umpires adjust a strike zone due to talent and teams. Seems that outside is more the nom for high school. They seem to give a lot there. Sometimes as the game goes on, it will go way outside. I have seem better zone calling in showcase ball. Zone is tightened. But the level of the calls change very little between umps. What is a strike in high school is a ball in college. Should be adjusted to the level of play, but umps should call the same area. You might get the high pitch, just off, or inside. But the pitches should be close to the zone either way. This eight inches outside is a joke call.

 

In my opinion, because there are so many HS games it is tough to fill all those games with quality umpires. Many of them are 1st year or unseasoned umpires....and what a headache that becomes. At least at the college level, those guys are experienced.

I love an umpire that is fair, consistent, hustles and forces the batters to take their bat off their shoulders. I love an umpire that tells the batters, "Boy, you better come out swinging when you leave the dugout". I'm not saying he should expand the strike zone, just don't squeeze the zone.

Having said that, as a batter all I ask is to call them consistently. And don't believe because they are college umpires that they are a bag of prizes. There are some excellent HS umpires that could teach some of those college umps how to do it the right way.

Back to the topic. I have found that every umpire has a weakness in calling balls and strikes. Because of the way they setup, some are great low balls umps, some are great outside umps, some are great inside umps and some are good on the high calls. But none of them are good in all the areas...they're human.

But please, please, please don't follow the ML guys. Those guys are instructed to understand what the ML wants and what ML wants is "We dig the long ball". Their zone is comical and a tragedy and is a hybrid of what baseball strike zone should be and once was.

One thing I have noticed through the years is that the good ballplayers of today are no different than the players of dbacks era. They know most of the umpires and tailor their gameplan according to who the umpire behind the plate is. That's just smart baseball. If you got an umpire that likes the outside strike...you better be swingin'!!!!!!

 

Keeping the game moving.

All of us are forced to watch HS games where the umpires sole purpose is to keep the game moving. We have all seen it... If a runner crosses first base and is six feet beyond the bag; the umpire still calls him out. I have even been told by umpires that if it is a close call, he's out.(Right or wrong) My father-in law makes the same statement at every HS game "once you get to the fifth inning the strike zone dramaticly widens"

This is not a "slam" against umpires, as I have umpired my share of games and coached for many years. I just dispise seeing an umpire cheat the game. Dont get me wrong, there are a lot of really good umpires out there, and I make darn sure that when the game is over and an umpire has done his job by hustling and getting into the proper position to make a call, I compliment him on a job well done. I had Mr. Bumgardner in Boone this summer- and achy knees and all, he hustled all the way down the line to third base to make a call- that 's impressive.

I have always appreciated that prior to a game the umpire tells me that he gives one or two balls off the plate. All anyone can ask that they be consistant. I'll shut up now.

 

My opinions.

1. Yes, it should change with each age from Rec, to HS, to college, to MLB. After speaking with many umpires on this exact subject I haven't met one that felt any different. But then, you would probably know better than anyone else.

2. Should not be the same. Slightly bigger outside corner in HS and slightly higher strike zone. A 25 year ACC veteran umpire told me pros are paid to throw it in a thimble; HS kids are not. Enlarge the zone slightly.

3. Big zone for kids but more up and down than in and out. never call the pitch that's just above the ankle. At least that's what I encouraged in the youth league I ran for years.

4. Strike zone should not change depending on score except at a REC level or middle school. However I've heard every ump say they expand it at HS level if the game is lop-sided.

5. It shouldn't but I've seen ump's loosen up in games where the pitching is week.

Those are just my opinions and some opinions that umpires have shared with me.

aguyyouknow and some coaches would know much more than me.

 

He and another ump called a showcase game at LR over the summer. Both were out standing. Worked the field , timely calls just great effort all around. Did not crowd the catcher and had a great time with the kids. A lot of respect.

 

Those were two of the best HS has to offer

 

The Strike Zone

Just be consistent. If its a ball in the first inning it should be a ball in the 7th inning. I dont like a high strike zone , it teaches kids bad habits. I dont mind a low strike zone at all. But regardless what the umpires strike zone is it is the hitters job to adjust to the umpires strike zone. The only problem I have is when the umpire decides to adjust his strike zone during the course of a game. Just be consistent thats all I really ask. As far as opening it up in a blow out , this happens and I dont have a problem with it as long as the umpire opens it up for both teams and does not squeeze the team that is up big. Dont squeeze a kid that can throw strikes and open it up for a kid that can not.

 

I hate it when the umps open up the zone to a ridiculous level in a blowout because the guys on the bench who get an at bat may get hosed by a bad call. These young guys or hard working guys who don't play as much cherish these ABs as gold and want to show the coaches something in their opportunity, and then they're down 0-2 on two pitches nowhere near the zone and end up swinging at crap. But I know the umps rationale and understand it.

 

Great umpires

A great umpire should call the game from 8u to showcase ball with a TRUE strike zone as that it is what will make him good. IF he loves and respects the game and the players he will do this.... otherwise all he really cares about is the money therefore he wants only outs. I have been studying the art of umpiring this year and it is really an awesome challenge to be good.