Random strike zone and Umpires

[MattP598]

Anyone else thinks this needs a little work? I like the idea of umpires having varied strike zones, I just think each umpire needs his own that he calls consistently. For instance, some major league umpires give a few inches off the outside corner but they do it consistently. Major League umpires are generally very good, and don't call random pitches out of their zone strikes.

Also, the strike zone is too high. Maybe not by the book, but by the way it's been called in the majors forever. Above the belt is rarely a strike in the majors. Nothing pisses me off more than to have to swing at a 2 strike fastball at my letters and popping it up just to protect the strike zone. This would also help with walks. Actually both ideas would...

[Blzer]

Re: Random strike zone and Umpires

The game's strike zone needs to be wider, and there needs to be more solid contact made out of the strike zone.

[kehlis]

Re: Random strike zone and Umpires

The game's strike zone needs to be wider, and there needs to be more solid contact made out of the strike zone.

Not really sure what either of those issues has to do with the variable umpires though.

[Blzer]

Re: Random strike zone and Umpires

Not really sure what either of those issues has to do with the variable umpires though.

Meh, I commented more on his talk about the high strike zone I guess.

I don't know about random strike zones, but I know about variable umpire strike zones, which means umpires have their unique zones (and sets of how consistent they are). In fact, I once made a thread so that we could get a scouting report on each umpire. One of the issues is umpires call balls that are clearly within the width of the plate, as if they are on the white. If anything, umpires should be giving more leeway off the plate as they really do, never really the other way around. That was probably my point.

[nemesis04]

Re: Random strike zone and Umpires

I feel it needs some work, even though they are random in the game they are not consistent through the course of a game. It could be more in depth by having scouting reports on the individual umps. Also possibly have the game start out with the original strike zone and have it change shape through the course of the game by having it show up with varieing degrees of shading to show the probability of a strike to reflect the umps interpretation.

[NDAlum]

Re: Random strike zone and Umpires

High breaking balls need to result in a reduction in the strike zone mid-pitch!

Tired of offspeed pitches at the letters on a corner being called strikes. That should NEVER be a valid pitching strategy

[HypoLuxa13]

Re: Random strike zone and Umpires

I agree, the consistency is the real issue with the variable umpires. One inning they'll call anything at the knees a ball, the next inning it will be strikes. So the inconsistency just within a single game is frustrating enough. But then the issue of not having any difference between umpires, much less knowing what umpire is calling the game.

It would be nice to have a run-down of each umpire on a screen each game so you could see who the ump was at each base and what their tendencies are. For example: John Johnson is the Home Plate umpire and his tendencies are a low strike zone and rare blown calls. Will Williams is at 1st and his tendencies are more blown calls and favors batters on check swing appeals.

[CanOfCornCobb]

Re: Random strike zone and Umpires

The game's strike zone needs to be wider, and there needs to be more solid contact made out of the strike zone.

100% nailed it on the head. I made a post like this back in July and nobody seemed interested, but the letter of the law is if the ball touches any part of zone it is a strike. In The Show 49% of the ball has to be in the zone to be a strike if you turn "Umpire Strike Zones" off. It is also very frustrating that on HOF diff it is nearly impossible to get a base hit when a pitch is thrown on the black (with timing hitting). I think this dynamic can be improved dramatically, but im skeptical that it will be fixed and we will just have to rely on pitchers throwing meatballs to get base hits.