Strike Zone Philosophies:

Strike Zone Philosophies:

“New” = Umpires Tendencies:

• Believe the r= ule book dictates the strike zone for all levels of play.

• Think the str= ike zone as a "magic space" as defined in Rule 2.00.

• Believe in li= teral interpretation of the strike zone.

• “Ball&#= 8221; a pitch that misses the zone by the slightest distance.

• Have a tenden= cy of “balling" marginal pitches when unsure.

• They lack con= fidence in their officiating.

Problem – These characteristics lead to fewer strikes, fewer swings and fewer bat-ball contacts,

M= iring games in long counts and walks. The solution is merely to adjust y= our thinking.

Nature of our dile= mma:

• Calling the z= one is not an exact science.

• The strike zo= ne was written for professional baseball.

• Youngsters do= n't possess the arm strength and accuracy of professional ballplayers.

Think strikes - As= sume strikes until proven a ball!

• The strike zo= ne provides the balance between offense and defense.

• View the stri= ke zone as a concept, not an absolute.

• On the questi= onable pitch, give the benefit of the doubt to the pitcher. THINK STRIKES!

• Assume the pi= tch is a strike unless convinced otherwise.

• To advance, b= atters must hit aggressively.

• Aggressive st= rike zones keep teams focused on hitting, fielding & pitching but not walkin= g.

• Motivate the = offense to swing the bat by stretching your zone as liberally as feasible.

• The strike zo= ne becomes much easier to call when batters aggressively swing the bat. <= /o:p>

• Each pitch sw= ung at gets one more strike without PU making a decision.

• A swing may p= ut the ball in jeopardy – results in action, excitement and outs.

• Aggressive pl= ay greatly reduces the number of decisions at the plate.

Importance of “Timing”:

• Don't just fr= eeze frame or photograph the pitch at the front of the plate. =

• Judging strik= es isn't a reaction or instantaneous judgment as the ball breaks through a pane of g= lass

• It is a time/= distance interval process of evaluation.

• Evaluate the = area from just in front of the plate through the catcher's mitt - evaluate all t= he evidence.

Teams Need to Adju= st to Your Zone:

• Batters and c= oaches must adjust to your strike zone.

• Experienced c= oaching staffs will observe your zone and adapt after an inning or two. =

Continue To Evalua= te How The Offense Is Swinging The Bat:

• Monitor how t= heir counts are developing.

• If you find b= atters taking more pitches that are around the zone, you may be a little tight with your zone

– evaluate and determine if y= ou have been "tight" on marginal pitches. If so, then adjust your ca= lls on the marginal pitches.

• If, however, = the pitching is erratic you will have nothing to work with – it will be a long day.

Importance of Find= ing A Strike on A 2-0 Count:

On a 2-0 count, look aggressively for strikes. If the pitch is "balled", the batter wi= ll probably wait for the 3-2 count to hit the ball. That almost certainly adds= two more pitches per occurrence to the length of

y= our game. But, if you ring a strike to make it a 2-= 1 count, the batter will be less choosy and more likely to swing the bat on all succeeding pitches. Encourage game flow and tempo.

Recommended Strike= Zones

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Your strike zone is Y= OUR strike as was mentioned above. However, each division (AA, AAA, Majors) has different levels of pitching and you will need to adjust your strike zone accordingly. We have given you a guideline for your strike zones below, but the key to a good st= rike zone is consistency. The more= games you do, the more you will learn how to be consistent so with your strike zo= ne.

The most important th= ing to remember is to NOT call strikes when the pitch is ABOVE the s= houlders, or the ball is well below the knees of the batter in any division. The Manager’s view of your s= trike zone is not so much the inside or outside pitch, but the high and low pitch= . If you start to call strikes when the ball is at the batters ankles, or the pi= tch is going by the batters head, you are not only going to upset the Manager, = but you are hurting the batter’s at-bat.= As you take your position behind the catcher, be sure to make this y= our priority when calling balls and strikes.

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For AA:=

Because this is the f= irst or second year of pitching for these pitchers, you will need to have a wider strike zone. Look to call strikes when the ball is about 1 1/2 balls widths outside and inside of the plate, the ball crosses the batters shoulders (not above), and the ball crosses the knees.

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For AAA:

You will see better p= itching in this division. Look to call strikes when the ball is about 1 ball width outside and inside of the plate, the ball crosses the batters armpits, and the ball crosses the knees.<= /o:p>

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For Majors:

This division has ver= y good pitching. Look to call strikes when the ball is about half a ball width out= side and inside of the plate, the ball crosses the batters shirt letters, and the ball crosses the knees.