There’s No Good Reason to Squeeze the Strike Zone

[Vertigo]

Small strike zones favor hitting and defense which is my favorite part of the game at all levels. 2ks per inning is boring.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Small strike zones that don’t take hitting corners into consideration are dangerous and unfair for the pitchers at all levels.

 

[BrianTx01]

I want to know where you can find the umpire that calls 4 inches above the belt?

 

[Ken Krause]

Small strike zones favor hitting and defense which is my favorite part of the game at all levels. 2ks per inning is boring.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

In my experience small strike zones discourage hitting. They encourage hitters to keep the bat on their shoulders and wait for either a perfect pitch or a walk.

 

[Cannonball]

Since we are on this topic and I believe it was mentioned differently in this thread, I hate the "makeup call." What the heck? We all make mistakes and umpires are no different. IMO, ok, so call the rest of the game the way it should be called. The hitter who has the "makeup call" will have an at bat where the hitter doesn't know what the strike zone is for that umpire and that might change the game for others. If you make a mistake, move on. BTW, I also don't believe that coaches should promote the notion of a makeup call. JMHO!

 

[BillyB]

I wonder if you went to a random softball tournament venue and polled spectators, what percentage would be able to accurate say the strike zone is to the arm pits? How about coaches? Umpires? Players?

Good lord, I hope not.

I'd rather blue call strikes where the actual zone is...IF they are missing, just below the knee I can live with, don't start calling crap up in the hands area...they just going to ruin hitters by calling high strikes. Yeesh

 

[earlg3]

Good lord, I hope not.

I'd rather blue call strikes where the actual zone is...IF they are missing, just below the knee I can live with, don't start calling crap up in the hands area...they just going to ruin hitters by calling high strikes. Yeesh

The strike zone is defined and should be called as defined.

For example, NFHS is forward armpits in a natural batting stance as the top of the zone. If folks don't like it, then appeal to the governing bodies for it to be changed.

 

[BillyB]

I hear you and I'm just saying armpits is crazy talk for zone rules. batshit crazy in my humble opinion

 

[lostcreek1]

The strike zone is defined and should be called as defined.

For example, NFHS is forward armpits in a natural batting stance as the top of the zone. If folks don't like it, then appeal to the governing bodies for it to be changed.

This for sure, I hate it when you see an umpire that has obviously created his/her own strike and calling it as such. Just call them as best you can by the strike zone outlind in the book.

 

[lostcreek1]

I hear you and I'm just saying armpits is crazy talk for zone rules. batshit crazy in my humble opinion

If that is the rule why is it crazy? Would be like saying I know the book says the line is fair but if it lands on the liune it sould be called foul.

 

[LW23]

The NCAA wants it that way. Homeruns and action are far more important to them than strikeouts. I have seen it firsthand when they are going through the umpire recruiting process at big tournaments. The zones are tighter, and the pitchers are having to adjust to it. It actually doesn't bother me as long as they are consistent!!! I do agree that many hitters leave the bat on their shoulder waiting to get ahead in the count as well. I can't tell you how many times I saw college hitters take first pitch strikes down the gut last year.