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Whining about your "Strike Zone"
I recently noticed more players making comments concerning my "strike zone". The players from MSBL and more so in NABA seem to think that an umpires "strike zone" is open for debate. The biggest problem has been with the inside part of the plate, especially with a left handed pitcher. Many times a pitch will cross the front of the plate entirely over the white tailing in towards a right handed batter and I obviously call it a strike. With a right handed pitcher that pitch will never cross over the white of the plate but the catchers glove is in the exact same spot as with the left handed pitcher's pitch. I recently had a shortstop leading off the bottom of the 1st inning say to me "better call that pitch the same for both sides 'Slick'" after I called an inside strike on him from a left handed pitcher and he just watched his right handed pitcher throw a half dozen pitches near the inside corner with none being called a strike. The game proceeded and I heard a little chirping from the dugouts occasionally but both pitchers and catchers thought I did a great job and loved my strike zone. I did not aske them but they made comments in response to some of their team mates gripes. My partner also thought my zone was good.
My question is how should I have handled this? I felt disrespected when he called me 'slick' and it pissed me off. I did not act and I just responded with a hearty "Let's just play ball".
Any advice is appreciated since I am sure this will come up again. These players should know by now that the "strike Zone" is off limits and should not be argued. Thanks
Chris Martin
Whining about your strike zone
SLICK ?!
If anybody said that to me, I ask for his shirt number, then warn him with a caution to say nothing to me for the rest of the game, if he wants to stay in it. We are supposed to treat players with respect; that goes both ways. Another @W#$@%^$ word from this guy, and he is gone.
Whining about your strike zone
I'm new on here, having just begun looking into/working toward officiating; BUT, I've been on the other side coaching for quite a while. I've got teams that range from as young as 14u all the way up through collegitate teams, so the perspective I'm offering is that of a coach.
If I had a player say something like you indicate this player said, I'd hope that #1 you'd exercise some discretion at first by quietly warning him that references such as "Slick" won't be tolerated at all, and he just got his one and only warning. #2, I'd hope you would say something quietly to the coach between innings about the player's comment and tell the coach that he got his only opportunity and if it happens again, he's out of the game. I wouldn't do it in a confrontational tone, but rather to give the coach a head's up so that he can deal with it. He doesn't want to lose a player, you don't want to dump a player, and the player wants to stay in the game. Dealing with it tactfully early on can be a way to make it all work out without drama. It's also an opportunity to give a coach another reason to regard you in a favorable manner.
The first part of his comment about calling the pitch the same for both sides I view a bit differently. In that case, with this guy giving you crap in the first inning, I'm thinking this is a player who might be inclined to chirp throughout the game, so I wouldn't dignify his comment with a response. The key is 'Is he giving you crap, or does he have a legitimate comment or question?' He doesn't deserve a response to that comment unless it's a legitimate and sincere question, especially at the beginning of the game.
From a coach's perspective, I don't think it is acceptable for players to give an umpire grief just to complain, but I do think he's within bounds to ask a legitimate question. The key is to know when he's doing one thing, or the other. I also view that differently than asking about a pitch location. I think a player is within bounds to ask if a borderline strike is at the limit of your zone, espcially early in the game. That allows him to know what to expect going forward. If you tell him whether it is right out toward the edge of your zone or not, you've given him something to go on, and you'll find most players appreciate you working with them, and you'll earn their respect. Both sides will have an easier day when everyone works together in a respectful manner.
If an umpire comes over to me and tells me he's having a problem with a player, I'll deal with that player right away. I've had that happen before, and generally unless the player has a darned good reason to be upset, I'll tell him that if he doesn't knock it off, the umpire won't be the one removing him from the game, I will be. I've found that handling a situation this way can diffuse any tensions, and you'll have more respect and consideration from a wider range of players and coaches.
All anyone expects from a plate umpire is a consistent zone. Hopefully, the boundaries will be reasonable, but whether they are or not, if they're consistent everyone knows what they have to work with. As for whining, just call 'em like you see 'em, and go on to the next batter. If it happens again, then you deal with it.
I've got a lot to learn about this side of the game. Hopefully, I can help those who haven't coached get some better insights into that side of the game.
Joined: 2007-10-03