4 ms·

Why not just shrink the strike zone a little?

by cbr 12y ago

peeters 12y ago
It's possible, but it's also difficult. The strike zone is not a static box; it's relative to the batter. Thus, the umpire needs to be able to compare the location of the pitch to the batter himself, and so the zone should be defined relative to points on the batter. Currently, the points of reference on the batter are the knees for the bottom and the team letters on the jersey for the top (though technically it's the midpoint between belt and shoulders). These are convenient reference points. Shrinking the strikezone a bit would yield something like "two inches above the knees to 1/3rd the distance from the belt to the shoulder", which would require more explicit rather than subconscious analysis from the ump.
- NotAtWork 12y ago
  Why not just fully use computers, then? If the problem is that an incomplete switch to technology left us in a chimeric state where we have the worst of both worlds, why not remove one of the two? If we remove the cameras, old umpire error will move the box up; if we remove the umpires from pitch calling, the new computers will have no trouble doing a bunch of math and moving the box up. This seems more like an incomplete implementation of an idea, rather than a fundamental flaw.
  - jerf 12y ago
    Our collective inability to conceive of the idea that perfect enforcement of previous sloppy rules may require the rules to be adjusted is scary in light of the increasing ability of computers to enforce laws, too. MLB is a sideshow by comparison. If even HN-type readers have a hard time with the idea, we're in some deep trouble over the next couple of decades.
  - peeters 12y ago
    > Why not just fully use computers, then? Because that will kill interest in watching the game much more thoroughly than a more accurate strike zone. Viewers like the subtle things, like that moment's pause that leaves viewers on the edge of their seat before the ump rings the batter up on a called third strike. Plus, imperfection causes water cooler buzz much more than perfection (people LOVE complaining about missed calls).
- snowwrestler 12y ago
  They could put marks on the thighs and chests of the uniforms to denote the upper and lower boundaries.

Why not just shrink the strike zone a little?

by cbr 12y ago

Why not just shrink the strike zone a little?

It's possible, but it's also difficult. The strike zone is not a static box; it's relative to the batter. Thus, the umpire needs to be able to compare the location of the pitch to the batter himself, and so the zone should be defined relative to points on the batter. Currently, the points of reference on the batter are the knees for the bottom and the team letters on the jersey for the top (though technically it's the midpoint between belt and shoulders). These are convenient reference points. Shrinking the strikezone a bit would yield something like "two inches above the knees to 1/3rd the distance from the belt to the shoulder", which would require more explicit rather than subconscious analysis from the ump.

NotAtWork 12y ago
Why not just fully use computers, then? If the problem is that an incomplete switch to technology left us in a chimeric state where we have the worst of both worlds, why not remove one of the two? If we remove the cameras, old umpire error will move the box up; if we remove the umpires from pitch calling, the new computers will have no trouble doing a bunch of math and moving the box up. This seems more like an incomplete implementation of an idea, rather than a fundamental flaw.
- jerf 12y ago
  Our collective inability to conceive of the idea that perfect enforcement of previous sloppy rules may require the rules to be adjusted is scary in light of the increasing ability of computers to enforce laws, too. MLB is a sideshow by comparison. If even HN-type readers have a hard time with the idea, we're in some deep trouble over the next couple of decades.
- peeters 12y ago
  > Why not just fully use computers, then? Because that will kill interest in watching the game much more thoroughly than a more accurate strike zone. Viewers like the subtle things, like that moment's pause that leaves viewers on the edge of their seat before the ump rings the batter up on a called third strike. Plus, imperfection causes water cooler buzz much more than perfection (people LOVE complaining about missed calls).
snowwrestler 12y ago
They could put marks on the thighs and chests of the uniforms to denote the upper and lower boundaries.