MLB Umpire accuracy and pitching FX data

Two considerations color the article....one is that they assume all pitches out of the zone called strikes are done so in error.

Second, even the MLB is aware the PitchFX is not 100%.

I did enjoy the authors article on home field advantage, however.

The first thing is the writer is assuming the pitch program is 100% accurate, which we know it isn't. Whenever an "expert" starts talking about anything an umpire does, I have immediate red flags.

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Two considerations color the article....one is that they assume all pitches out of the zone called strikes are done so in error.

Why is that not a valid assumption?

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Originally posted by greenmachine:

quote:

Two considerations color the article....one is that they assume all pitches out of the zone called strikes are done so in error.

Why is that not a valid assumption?

Depends on the umpire.

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Originally posted by greenmachine:

quote:

Two considerations color the article....one is that they assume all pitches out of the zone called strikes are done so in error.

Why is that not a valid assumption?

You're kidding right?

Would it not be a knowing and deliberate breach of the rules that the umpire is supposed to uphold if he purposely called strike on a ball he judged off the plate?

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Originally posted by greenmachine:
Would it not be a knowing and deliberate breach of the rules that the umpire is supposed to uphold if he purposely called strike on a ball he judged off the plate?

Green,
If we were talking about a ball so obviously high or low or out of the zone that was called a strike then yes, that would be wrong. But from the comparison from a machine to an individual human umpire....well, thats a different issue....

Much of my answer here I have pulled from another thread....but here goes...

My zone is just what happens when I am behind the plate attempting to judge a 3 dimensional strike zone that changes based on the batters height.

If you can imagine an invisible floating column, 17 and a half inches wide that extends from a horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and at the lower level is the hollow beneath the knee cap. The zone is determined by from each batters stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball....the strike zone changes for a 5'6" batter to a 6' batter......

All of this adds to each umpire having their own zone....even as we all try to adhere to the rule book definition.

It is just the reality of doing the job. I am known as an inside and low ball umpire. I know this from video tape of my cage work at umpire clinics. I am more apt to call a ball a strike inside and low than I am at the outside and high side of the zone. Its just my reality...maybe its because I am short that I see that lower ball as a strike. Dont know, not sure what I can do as a human to improve on that.

I try and keep as consistent a zone as possible to avoid problems, but it is what it is.

Given that, in games with umpires of my experience, you will get different zones...much of it based on such things as the umpires height, his stance and the quality if the catchers.....I have seen recently injured umpires behind catchers of dubious quality jump around like cats on a hot tin roof.....not suprisingly the zone was jumping as well......

I believe that most trained umpires call the rule book zone to the best of their ability....

I say that I will always try to call the strike zone as described in the rule book. But again going back on my clinical training......, I can tell you that based on video proof, that I call the borderline pitch inside and low a strike, but the outside and up pitch a ball.....now that is defining "my zone" over the strict rule book zone....or a mechanical measured zone...

Its a condition of my height, my stance, my experience and probably a hundred other factors.......I keep working to refine my zone to fit into the rule book, but truth be told, I probably wont ever get it book rule perfect.....

I hesitate to offer this statement since usually this is the childs way out, but I will offer that it isnt as easy as it seems.....But I will guarantee you that I will keep trying to get better
Despite all our efforts, I feel there will always be some variance.......but I will try to get better....Just back from a clinic a few weekends ago where I had Pro observation......

If at any time I feel I am doing "good enough" and fail to work on refining my game......I will call it a career.......

hope this helps understanding of my point of view....

[QUOTE]If we were talking about a ball so obviously high or low or out of the zone that was called a strike then yes, that would be wrong. But from the comparison from a machine to an idividual human umpire....well, thats a different issue....QUOTE]

Compliments range from "good game/job blue" to "I like your hustle". However, it pleases me much when a coach says "I don't always agree, but when you work the plate, I know what to expect". It's called consistency. If you hear some chirps in the first inning, so be it. When you hear them in the 5th, generally, you're not being consistent. I love it also when I ring a kid up, and the coach says "he's been calling that all day". A reaffirmation of consistency. BTW: IMHO, the greatest complment I get is "I can tell you love working w/ the kids".

quote:

Originally posted by dave0mary:
[QUOTE]If we were talking about a ball so obviously high or low or out of the zone that was called a strike then yes, that would be wrong. But from the comparison from a machine to an idividual human umpire....well, thats a different issue....QUOTE]

Compliments range from "good game/job blue" to "I like your hustle". However, it pleases me much when a coach says "I don't always agree, but when you work the plate, I know what to expect". It's called consistency. If you hear some chirps in the first inning, so be it. When you hear them in the 5th, generally, you're not being consistent. I love it also when I ring a kid up, and the coach says "he's been calling that all day". A reaffirmation of consistency. BTW: IMHO, the greatest complment I get is "I can tell you love working w/ the kids".

If you are hearing it in the fifth it could also be that your zone is just wrong. If both coaches are complaining, you may be using the wrong zone for the llevel you are working or your zone just flat be bad.