WhiteBrow24
The Dude Abides
where exactly in the pitch does it have to cross those spots???
Any Back Shoulder to the Knee (strike Zone)
- Thread starter WhiteBrow24
- Start date
RDD15
Addicted to Softballfans
When it is over the plate.
Picture a glass shape hovering over the plate. From above, it is the shape of home plate. It is from the bottom of the front knee to the back shoulder high. If any part of the ball touches this imaginary shape, it "breaks the glass" and it is a strike (unless it also hits the plate).
DeputyUICHousto
Addicted to Softballfans
ASA Strike Zone
If any part of the ball crosses the plate on a legally pitched ball that also crosses the front knee to the back shoulder with the batter standing at the plate. If the batter is standing deep in the box or up in front of the box the ball may or may not still be within the front knee to back shoulder.
If any part of the ball crosses the plate on a legally pitched ball that also crosses the front knee to the back shoulder with the batter standing at the plate. If the batter is standing deep in the box or up in front of the box the ball may or may not still be within the front knee to back shoulder.
USSSA
The Veteran
STRIKE ZONE is that space directly above home plate that is not higher than the batter’s
highest shoulder, nor lower than the bottom of the batter’s front knee, when the batter assumes
his natural batting stance. Any part of the pitched ball that passes through this zone is
a strike.
highest shoulder, nor lower than the bottom of the batter’s front knee, when the batter assumes
his natural batting stance. Any part of the pitched ball that passes through this zone is
a strike.
WhiteBrow24
The Dude Abides
so how come an ump will never call a strike when the catcher catches the ball? even if his glove is on the ground??
Simple answer, every ump has his own strike zone, love it or hate it, thats his judgement call, so adjust to his zone because he will not adjust to yours
WhiteBrow24
The Dude Abides
yea i get that, and i know its a judgement call, but man those are the best pitches!!
i dont pitch, its just something that I had always been curious about
irishmafia
Addicted to Softballfans
That's bull****. I really don't give a damn if the catcher catches the ball, the call is made long before that point.
hookumsnivy
Addicted to Softballfans
Any ump who automatically calls it a ball if the catcher catches the ball is a crappy ump. All that matters is if the balls crosses any part of the plate at the appropriate height. The rule book is very specific about it.
However, since I usually catch I make sure I let the ball bounce before me if I can. Just because most there are umps that are lazy. Unless your playing mat ball, if the ump is watching the ball bounce before making a call (other than making sure it doesn't hit the plate) you can be sure that you have a piss poor ump. Where is bounces is irrelevant.
guzzler2209
The Veteran
Why the hell is the catcher catching the ball? The catcher should let every pitch it the ground, unless is gonna hit him in the nuts.
bb666b77
ODB
actually had an ump(utrip ump) tell me,first it was the back arm pit,not shoulder,than tells me he watches where it hits and if it hits beyond his designated point(he used the end of the batters box) it was gonna be a ball. i asked what if it comes thru between his 2 points but goes beyond the end of the batters,why should it be a ball,his answer was than it'll be to fast for slowpitch.
andy-rockstar
Living for the Cit-ay
The only thing worse than the umps who call these wrong are the ones who call these correctly.
hookumsnivy
Addicted to Softballfans
actually had an ump(utrip ump) tell me,first it was the back arm pit,not shoulder,than tells me he watches where it hits and if it hits beyond his designated point(he used the end of the batters box) it was gonna be a ball. i asked what if it comes thru between his 2 points but goes beyond the end of the batters,why should it be a ball,his answer was than it'll be to fast for slowpitch.
This is why people think most umps suck. The rule book is not very complicated, there's no reason not to follow it.
NCASAUmp
Un-Retired
actually had an ump(utrip ump) tell me,first it was the back arm pit,not shoulder,than tells me he watches where it hits and if it hits beyond his designated point(he used the end of the batters box) it was gonna be a ball. i asked what if it comes thru between his 2 points but goes beyond the end of the batters,why should it be a ball,his answer was than it'll be to fast for slowpitch.
Only time it matters where it lands is if it lands in the stands.
WhiteBrow24
The Dude Abides
This is why next year im only going to play probably 1 night and ump a couple nights. I need to get the perspective of the boys in red and blue.
NCASAUmp
Un-Retired
Believe me when I tell you that it's a completely different game when you switch from player to umpire. Night and day!
WhiteBrow24
The Dude Abides
will it make me playing have a different attitude as well? or will i get more frustrated at horrible umps?
NCASAUmp
Un-Retired
50/50, really.
WhiteBrow24
The Dude Abides
im kinda excited to start umping. The stories my old man tells me are great.
hookumsnivy
Addicted to Softballfans
I find that in some cases you become more understandable, but in others you get even more pissed off.
I find that on close plays I'm more forgiving.
On rule book mistakes you get much more aggravated because now you should know them inside and out.
Last edited:
chiefgator
Crafty Veteran
Only time it matters where it lands is if it lands ON the PLATE.
As for a player learning to ump, I really believe that it also makes you a better player.
CD#5
Addicted to Softballfans
I hate when your team is up and the ump's zone is all over the place and you go up and ask "where's your zone at?" and he freaks out on you, yelling at you about you should watch the game and you'll know where my zone is. Wha what? This hasn't happened to you? This is why every league should have mats. If it hits the mat then you know it's a strike. No arguing, no bickering, no complaining.
WhiteBrow24
The Dude Abides
mat ball sucks. you still get the too high or too low
chiefgator
Crafty Veteran
I agree.... I would rather have a paper cut on my ballsak than play mat ball....
CD#5
Addicted to Softballfans
Yes it is! I like it though. Cuz you remember all the terrible umps and you try not to be like them. You try to be clear with your calls and actually move from behind the plate to make calls at the bases.
Yeah sort of. IMO you appreciate the good ones more when you get them for your games
CD#5
Addicted to Softballfans
Touche! Maybe cuz I've never played mat ball, I kind of want it. I guess I don't want it now
hookumsnivy
Addicted to Softballfans
Mat ball is ridiculous. Batters have a big enough advantage in slow pitch, putting a mat down gives them even more of an advantage. It prevents the pitcher from throwing from different angles to catch the front or back corner of the plate. A pitch can catch the front corner of the plate, bounce in the other batters box and it should be called a strike. You're basically eliminating that by putting a mat down.
chiefgator
Crafty Veteran
it also allows the same pitcher to throw an unhittable pitch that comes from behind the batters back and hits the front corner of the plate.... mat ball is horrible!
Roundtrip
Starting Player
WB, this is what I started doing a few years ago and yes it completely changes your perspective and will make you and your team better.
Yes, it will cause new levels of frustration and respect accordingly. Also will cause you to keep your team level headed in different situations.
IMHO players definitely make the best umpires, at least in most cases. Also having a passion for doing a good job is key. It's very frustrating to me the lazy umpires that are out there only to collect a check, because we are all judged based upon the "bad" experiences players have in games.
I'm one of the UIC's in our association and the new umps with passion/excitement most often do an exceptional job! Welcome to umping