Strike Zone

Has anyone noticed how inconsistant the strike zone has gotten?Im not a coach that complains alot and i know you can't argue strike zones but calling strikes at the neck and ankles is becoming common for alot of umps,in one tourn.even had a umpire to apologize after the game,a little late,we lost 4-3.I know umps are not perfect and don't expect them to be,this thread is not intended to bash umps,just don't take the bat out of these girls hands.Just a few thoughts

 

Not just here...

Been watching the college world series games (both baseball and softball) and many umps have been all over the map. Same pitch back to back - one is a strike, one is a ball. UNC was all sorts of upset with this same thing last night. Not the reason they lost but some of them weren't even close.

What concerns me more is an ump apologizing after the game. If he knew it was that bad and felt the need to apologize, sounds like he needs to remove himself from the game and stay out from behind the plate...

 

... calling strikes at he neck and ankles...

The only thing worse is no strike zone at all. Had one last two tournaments that if it wasn't belt high and ALL of the ball on the plate was called ball. This is dangerous, saw several pitchers get hit by line drives. Fortunately none were seriously injured.

 

A matchbox zone is a killer........literally.
JMHO
ERMS

 

Totally Agree !!!!!!!!

 

I overheard.....

.....a conversation between a pitchers dad and an umpire this weekend. The ump told the dad that all of the umps ay the dynamites in Colum. were college umps and they were to call the zone as if they were calling a college game. Apparently the zone he was talking about had a few changes maybe to what we in HS/TB might be used to. Softballnut heard the same thing. Maybe he can fill us in on just what the zone is or atleast the zone as this ump sees it.

 

One explination I heard was it took half a ball on the corners to get the called strike whereas what I have observed with HS/TB is if any part of the ball crosses it gets the call. Half a ball makes a huge difference. Changes the dynamics of an AB in a hurry.

 

Dynamite

...umps were college umps, several were ACC, SoCon...etc. Anyway , ball has to be inside part of corners instead of outside if that makes sense. Also if you brush front corner of plate it was called. According to this individual who was an ACC ump strike zone is tighter in college, but is still up to individual ump behind plate. Marlin was right beside me while we were having this conversation as you read in his post. HS/TB has bigger strike zone. No wonder the hitters are better !!

 

College Strike Zone

After watching my daughter throw three years of college ball I can say, unequivocally, the college zone is smaller. I attended several HS games this spring and the umps made above average pitchers look like Angela Tincher. This is why velocity, location and subtle LATE breaks are the keys to college success.

That said, there is variation just like in HS/TB. Typically, most of the variation in college (as HS/TB) is on the outside corner but the most important part of the zone for pitcher's SAFETY is the low strike. If the ump takes it away then the pitcher is in real trouble.

 

This quote is right on the money. Softball Nut is also right, it does turn the college game into more of a hitters game. If you do not have a strong defense behind you in college, your pitcher can get into real trouble in a hurry. Unless of course you are Abbott, Tincher, Finch, etc.