How accurate is the strike zone graphic/grid they show on broadcasts?

[Goober]

Is it something a guy just eyeballs then puts it on the grid, or is there an electronic component to it?

The reason I ask is two-fold:

1) If the ump keeps calling strikes on pitches that are balls, why are the announcers so hesitant to say anything? Its kind of annoying when you look at the grid and Verlander has thrown 5 pitches to a batter, none of which were really even that close to the strike zone, yet when the umpire rings up the Oakland batter all the announcers can offer is "Drew didn't like that call"??? How about saying Verlander didn't throw a single strike the entire at bat, and in fact threw 5 straight balls, yet the batter is walking back to the dugout after looking at ball 5?

2) The plate umpire for Game 1 of the Oakland-Detroit series was incredibly one-sided. I don't have a rooting interest, but Verlander was getting every strike call as long as the pitch wasn't in the dirt or above the batter's head. Oakland's pitchers didn't get nearly the same inside-outside strike zone. Was there any comments on this? I thought it was unfair, to say the least.

Funny you mention this moment, I remember thinking along a similar line of thought after Drew struck out. By that time it was fairly obvious that the strike zone was pretty wide on that side of the plate (left side from the umpire's perspective). Verlander recognized it early on and was capitalizing on it, evidenced by the Pitch f/x data below. I think to a certain extent Parker was trying to do the same, but his command wasn't there.

In my opinion it was a tad ridiculous for Drew to vocally complain about the strike zone so much that late in the game. While it wasn't an accurate zone, I think it was consistent for the most part. It's the players job to make adjustments through out the game, Verlander obviously did so. I don't know what was stopping the Athletics hitters from realizing that those pitches were consistently being called, and they either had to swing or get rung up. Ironically Drew was also the player most vocal about his dislike for the strikezone in yesterdays game.

[Senser81]

Funny you mention this moment, I remember thinking along a similar line of thought after Drew struck out. By that time it was fairly obvious that the strike zone was pretty wide on that side of the plate (left side from the umpire's perspective). Verlander recognized it early on and was capitalizing on it, evidenced by the Pitch f/x data below. I think to a certain extent Parker was trying to do the same, but his command wasn't there.

In my opinion it was a tad ridiculous for Drew to vocally complain about the strike zone so much that late in the game. While it wasn't an accurate zone, I think it was consistent for the most part. It's the players job to make adjustments through out the game, Verlander obviously did so. I don't know what was stopping the Athletics hitters from realizing that those pitches were consistently being called, and they either had to swing or get rung up. Ironically Drew was also the player most vocal about his dislike for the strikezone in yesterdays game.

I think some of it has to do with the A's being so ingrained with 'taking bad pitches', that its hard for them to adjust.

[Garrett67]

I guess thats terrible, then. And if its pretty much a given that the home plate ump is going to be so biased towards the alleged "better pitcher", then why are the announcers so hesitant to say anything? Its kind of an important part of a game when the final is something like 2-1.

I was just referring to the fact that umpires will have variation in the strike calls not necessary if they're biased towards one player or one team


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[Guest]

CC Sabathia got a lot of calls down low in the zone as well. Not sure if that was to try and hurry the game along due to the delay or that the simple fact that vets like Sabathia and Verlander get these calls in the playoffs that other starters don't.

Just a thought, and I can't research that any more since I am on break at work.

[NAHSTE]

Today is the 15th anniversary. Never forget.

[Senser81]

Today is the 15th anniversary. Never forget.

The strike 3 calls on McGriff were beyond terrible. They weren't even close.

[NAHSTE]

The strike 3 calls on McGriff were beyond terrible. They weren't even close.

The Kenny Lofton one is great too, Lofton cracks a smile and for a second it looks like he's about to burst into laughter.

[Senser81]

The Kenny Lofton one is great too, Lofton cracks a smile and for a second it looks like he's about to burst into laughter.

They would have been better off having Leslie Nielsen umpire the game and call "strike" right after Hernandez releases the ball.

[FirstTimer]

How did Bobby Cox and the entire Braves team not get ejected for blowing up and arguing these?

[FedEx227]

Oh my god, I had no idea it was that bad. Those aren't even remotely close.

[NAHSTE]

Those aren't even remotely close.

Eric Gregg says, "agree to disagree."