Left Handed Hitters Have an Unfair Strike Zone

[philkid3]

Beyond the Boxscore: Are LHB being unfairly struck out looking on pitches away? (http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/2/13/758458/are-lhb-being-unfairly-str)

This is absolutely ridiculous, and we've all know there are silly issues like this for a while. And baseball should do something to fix these problems, but I'm sure it would be pretty hard to make them interested.

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/70092/balls_and_kc_special_medium.jpg
A little more than 1/2 of the Kc fell in the first quarter of the graph horizontally [-1.00, -1.16], 364 Kc to be precise. In that same region, 462 Balls were called. So we can say the umps were wrong 44% of the time, just a bit under half. That's not very helpful to batters. I would think they would actually prefer if that number were much higher, say 80%, because then they at least know they need to swing at it since it will be called a strike. Obviously they'd prefer to be getting the proper strike zone called if anything, but that simply doesn't look like it's happening right now.

[slugger33]

Are slow guys unfairly being thrown out when trying to steal?

[NYMets523]

All MLB needs to do is clean house with the umpiring crew. Just one more thing Selig doesn't have the spine to do.

[spark240]

Is there a graph for RHB? Is it really a bias against LHB, or is it just horrific strike calling?

Actually, what I'd like to see is the whole graph, all the way around the strike zone, including the balls being called instead of high strikes.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Is there a graph for RHB? Is it really a bias against LHB, or is it just horrific strike calling?

Actually, what I'd like to see is the whole graph, all the way around the strike zone, including the balls being called instead of high strikes.

Seconded. It would give a much clearer picture of what were dealing with here.

[philkid3]

Ya'll should ask him.

[Brian McKenna]

All MLB needs to do is clean house with the umpiring crew. Just one more thing Selig doesn't have the spine to do.

Yeah, let's just firing all the umpires. Everyone one of those guys are stupid. We are so much smarter. And let's blame Selig for being a whimp because he doesn't just fire all those stupid umpires. :hissyfit:

[highpockets]

I'd like to see not only away balls called as strikes for righties, but away strikes called as balls for both. Anecdotally, I've noticed that some umpires have trouble with pitches away from where they set up. If a battery can adjust, sometimes they can live on 6 inches outside all game long.

[NYMets523]

Yeah, let's just firing all the umpires. Everyone one of those guys are stupid. We are so much smarter. And let's blame Selig for being a whimp because he doesn't just fire all those stupid umpires. :hissyfit:

He doesn't need to fire all of them. He just needs to fire the ones like Joe West (who call a microscopic strikezone), CB Bucknor, and Angel Hernandez (an instigator). There are probably others I'm missing.

[ipitch]

Are LHB being unfairly struck out looking on pitches away?

Maybe the umps are trying to negate the advantage that lefties have by being closer to 1st base than righties? :nod:

[Ubiquitous]

MLB needs to develop an electronic form of calling balls and strikes.

[philkid3]

We are so much smarter.
I don't think anyone who wants perfect officiating thinks they'd be any better. I sure don't, but I expect baseball to do something to be more accurate on balls and strikes.

I think I agree with Ubi.

[Dalkowski110]

"MLB needs to develop an electronic form of calling balls and strikes."

While I agree that this would be the best way to go and I am for it, I don't see it happening. The Umpires' Union would go nuts and probably go on permanent walkout before the system was completed, the traditionalists would never allow it, and you'd probably get a lot of players that wouldn't like it. Look at the stink Questec UES raised, and that wasn't even mandatory and really did nothing other than unofficially grade the umpires. Just my two cents, and once again I agree, but sadly, I think such a system is at least for now unrealistic.

[Ubiquitous]

I'd say let them strike. But I would also say that once they get past their initial fears they will accept it. A newer system wouldn't replace an umpire, if anything it might add one to each game.

[philkid3]

Also what Dalkowski said. At least any time soon, I couldn't see it happening.

It would be nice to be more accurate, though.

[TonyK]

First you ban them from playing four defensive positions in the field and now you tell them, "You better be swinging buddy!"

Next you will tell us that all lefthander's gloves are 2" shorter than righthander's gloves and have cheaper padding.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

First you ban them from playing four defensive positions in the field and now you tell them, "You better be swinging buddy!"

Next you will tell us that all lefthander's gloves are 2" shorter than righthander's gloves and have cheaper padding.

Tony, wev'e been down this road before, left handed throwers and positions played, this was on anther thread.
Correct me if wrong, it was few months ago and I believe you posted some comments there. The discussion was about the positions, catcher, SS, second basemen and third basemen.

I think you were trying to make the case, why not any LH throwing catchers, SS position, 2nd and 3rd basemen.

You could probably make some kind of a case for catchers, the other three, it won't happen.
The layout of the field, the location of first base LH throwers on the left side of the infield, no good, second base not much better.

Imagine a LH throwing SS or 3rd baseman turning his body on a grounder to try and get a DP started, throwing to second base, on balls hit at them or even to their right side.

Third baseman coming in to field a bunt, turn his body and throw to first base.

The second baseman, the SS or the third baseman coming in on a slow roller and throwing to first base.

Some rare cases balls hit to the left of a LH thrower, they could handle that but we have to look at the whole picture, overall LH throwers in those positions, won't work.

I don't see how you can see a LH thrower on the left side of the infield.
Don't you think if feasible we would have seen it by now.
Better yet, picture the layout of the infield and imagine a LH thrower at those positions, not going to work, not at all.

There is no ban.

[TonyK]

Tony, wev'e been down this road before, left handed throwers and positions played, this was on anther thread.
Correct me if wrong, it was few months ago and I believe you posted some comments there. The discussion was about the positions, catcher, SS, second basemen and third basemen.

I think you were trying to make the case, why not any LH throwing catchers, SS position, 2nd and 3rd basemen.

You could probably make some kind of a case for catchers, the other three, it won't happen.
The layout of the field, the location of first base LH throwers on the left side of the infield, no good, second base not much better.

Imagine a LH throwing SS or 3rd baseman turning his body on a grounder to try and get a DP started, throwing to second base, on balls hit at them or even to their right side.

Third baseman coming in to field a bunt, turn his body and throw to first base.

The second baseman, the SS or the third baseman coming in on a slow roller and throwing to first base.

Some rare cases balls hit to the left of a LH thrower, they could handle that but we have to look at the whole picture, overall LH throwers in those positions, won't work.

I don't see how you can see a LH thrower on the left side of the infield.
Don't you think if feasible we would have seen it by now.
Better yet, picture the layout of the infield and imagine a LH thrower at those positions, not going to work, not at all.

There is no ban.

Not at the ML level. You are rehashing the same old same old. It's time to move on.

[philkid3]

Not at the ML level. You are rehashing the same old same old. It's time to move on.

Isn't the one who brings the subject up the one who should move on?

[SHOELESSJOE3]

Isn't the one who brings the subject up the one who should move on?

That would have been my answer, you got it right Phil.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

Not at the ML level. You are rehashing the same old same old. It's time to move on.

Tony, I don't see any ban or unfair treatment of potential LH throwing 2nd, 3rd basemen or shortstops from midget league up to MLB.
I don't have anything against that set up, it's not personal.
We're having a discussion and I give what I believe are the reasons why.
It's obvious why it's the way it is.

[TonyK]

Isn't the one who brings the subject up the one who should move on?

What facts have you presented to prove this unfair strike zone article is ridiculous?

[philkid3]

What facts have you presented to prove this unfair strike zone article is ridiculous?

In what way is that related?

[Scoops]

In what way is that related?
I think he misinterpreted your first post as saying the linked article was ridiculous (you disagree with the article), not that umpires mangling calls at such a high rate is ridiculous (you agree with the article). I'm not sure how.

What that has to do with either the price of tea in China or the lack of lefty throwing second basemen is a little beyond me.

[TonyK]

In what way is that related?

Didn't you write that you thought it was ridiculous?

[philkid3]

I think he misinterpreted your first post as saying the linked article was ridiculous (you disagree with the article), not that umpires mangling calls at such a high rate is ridiculous (you agree with the article). I'm not sure how.

What that has to do with either the price of tea in China or the lack of lefty throwing second basemen is a little beyond me.

Nice to know I'm not the only confused one.

[TonyK]

Nice to know I'm not the only confused one.

CLUELESSJOE3 is another one. :D

[SHOELESSJOE3]

CLUELESSJOE3 is another one. :D

All I did was answer to your post Tony, regarding LH throwing infielders.