What can I say?

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Plate ump has an "inconsistent" strike zone. You know the type. Strike zone all over the place and the frustration's rising on my team. What can I say to blue? Last night I tried, "Blue, the girls want me to ask, could you tell me where your strike zone is?" ;&

It didn't work.

What do you say there? Anything?

 

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I usually don't confront Blue directly about a questionable strike zone, unless it continues to be undefined....but will make loud enough comments to my pitcher "Looked good (pitchers name or number here)" that he or she hears it and knows that I'm questioning it.

 

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Based on age groups of 14u and up... use your catcher for the comunications about strike zone. Most umpires take that better than through comments style of telling pitcher as stated above...like the coach was talking to the pitcher and to her only ;& not wanting the ump to hear

 

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We had a guy last weekend who liked to let the batter think it was ball four (looked like a ball too) then once the girl was standing on first slowly raised his fist and said in a low slow voice "straaaaak". Then he would just stand there and waste 30 seconds while we all looked at each other in confusion. Eventually the batter (after being told by the 1B coach) would trot back and retrieve her bat to receive the next pitch. It was absolutely maddening and the only time in my 35+ years in organized baseball / softball I have seen anything like it.

He was also totally inconsistent but no matter what we said or hinted he remained consistently inconsistent. I guess sometimes you get stuck with a lousy ump and can't do a thing about it except ride out the game and address with the TD later.

 

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Mad Hornet:

If he was literally letting the player get to first base, you need to report him to whoever scheduled the umpires for that week. That's just unacceptable.

 

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I agree.. that is unacceptable !!!!

 

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wow. Power freak.

re: the catcher - I agree. That's the way to do it.

 

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Mad Hornet:

If he was literally letting the player get to first base, you need to report him to whoever scheduled the umpires for that week. That's just unacceptable.

I did and he wan't back on Sunday.

 

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Inconsistent strike zones seem to be the norm this year. Possibly one of the most frustrating seasons yet regarding this issue. My view is that the hitters have to adjust if the ump doesn't. It doesn't thrill me because now the batter is swinging at "junk" because she isn't sure what the call will be. The best ump is one that you don't remember after the game. Some umps think the game is all about them, which is sad.

 

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We had a guy last weekend who liked to let the batter think it was ball four (looked like a ball too) then once the girl was standing on first slowly raised his fist and said in a low slow voice "straaaaak". Then he would just stand there and waste 30 seconds while we all looked at each other in confusion. Eventually the batter (after being told by the 1B coach) would trot back and retrieve her bat to receive the next pitch. It was absolutely maddening and the only time in my 35+ years in organized baseball / softball I have seen anything like it.

I find this hard to believe.