If you’ve noticed pitchers getting fewer strike calls even when the ball’s just a bit off the plate, you’re not imagining it.
MLB has revamped how home plate umpires are assessed on their ball and strike calls, according to Athletics.
What’s going on? Well, it seems the strike zone is getting a bit narrower.
Traditionally, home plate umpires had a 2-inch “buffer zone,” which allowed for some flexibility in making calls. Now, that buffer has been reduced to just one inch, tightening things up considerably.
“The official strike zone rules haven’t changed, and umpires haven’t been instructed to adjust their calls,” an MLB rep stated to Athletic.
“Responding to the requests of players and clubs, we worked with the new CBA and the MLB Umpires Association to take down the ‘buffer’ around the strike zone, making it easier to evaluate umpire accuracy against the actual strike zone as outlined in the rules,” they added.
The overall percentage of correct calls has reached an impressive 88.2% this season, making it the highest accuracy rating since Statcast began monitoring pitches a decade ago.
But, interestingly, that number is only slightly better than in most recent years.
“We looked into the strikes called balls this season compared to last year’s opening week,” said Travis D’Arnaud, a catcher for the Angels. “Last year, there were around 300. This year? Over 550.” That certainly raises some eyebrows.
While many players, coaches, and analysts haven’t voiced major grievances about the new rules, they were caught off guard by the abrupt change.
One umpire even casually asked a catcher what they thought of the new strike zone.
It seems that over 20 managers and various executives with connections to the Players Union weren’t aware of any advance warning about this new policy shift.
Moreover, sources linked to the Players Union expressed skepticism, insisting that the league’s assertion about adjusting the buffer zone prior to the season isn’t entirely accurate.
This leaves some feeling frustrated, as they had hoped to know ahead of time, allowing them to prepare strategically for the new rules. After all, in baseball, every inch counts.
