What's the best strategy for when an ump is only calling belt high and down the middle a strike? Change speeds and???
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Get the bullpen up and ready. Gonna be a long night.
Tell your hitters to enjoy their afternoon. Back your outfielders up a few steps. Every out is critical, so your defense has to bring it. You may even consider getting a weaker bat or two in the lineup if they are great defenders (besides, with such a small strike zone, their bats should play up a bit and if the ump is squeezing both guys then they should draw a walk or two). Tell your pitcher to do his best to change speeds within the limited strike zone. Work ahead in the count as much as possible to allow yourself to go to some swing and miss pitches rather than having to serve every pitch up.
I will note, though, that most of that is the same thing that you're going to do in every other game. As long as both teams are being squeezed everything should be ok.
I will note, though, that most of that is the same thing that you're going to do in every other game. As long as both teams are being squeezed everything should be ok.
Bring in guys who throw slow. Hitters won't be able to lay off of pitches out of zone.
Bring in guys who throw the ball down the middle with movement at 95+. Works well in HS ball. 
Seriously, each pitcher has to make their own adjustments to the umpire and the team they're facing on a game by game basis. Some teams will be swinging the bat and as long as you aren't all out nibbling it won't really matter if the strike zone is tight. Some teams are trying to work the count and in that case you need to just pour it down the middle. It also varies from hitter to hitter. One treats the punch hitter differently than the home run hitter.
We ran into an umpire with a tight zone this past weekend. Both starters had dominated the previous week with a different umpire. This time around with the tighter strike zone both starters struggled a bit and gave up some runs, but neither was walking anyone until each one got tired in their last inning of work. When the relievers came in the game got out of hand with walks, etc. pretty quickly. In other words, if you pitch your game and grind it out when you're facing a tight zone you should be OK. Either the other pitcher is going to have to do the same thing so you're even or they won't be able to handle it and you've got the advantage. Look at a tight strike zone as an advantage. It won't help your ERA but it will help you get a win if you do your job.
Seriously, each pitcher has to make their own adjustments to the umpire and the team they're facing on a game by game basis. Some teams will be swinging the bat and as long as you aren't all out nibbling it won't really matter if the strike zone is tight. Some teams are trying to work the count and in that case you need to just pour it down the middle. It also varies from hitter to hitter. One treats the punch hitter differently than the home run hitter.
We ran into an umpire with a tight zone this past weekend. Both starters had dominated the previous week with a different umpire. This time around with the tighter strike zone both starters struggled a bit and gave up some runs, but neither was walking anyone until each one got tired in their last inning of work. When the relievers came in the game got out of hand with walks, etc. pretty quickly. In other words, if you pitch your game and grind it out when you're facing a tight zone you should be OK. Either the other pitcher is going to have to do the same thing so you're even or they won't be able to handle it and you've got the advantage. Look at a tight strike zone as an advantage. It won't help your ERA but it will help you get a win if you do your job.
quote:Originally posted by coach2709:
Get the bullpen up and ready. Gonna be a long night.
Thanks for that.
