Wiffle in SE Michigan, and Downriver Wiffle before it, has always used a 30" x 22" strike zone. Carl brought the dimensions over from the Wifflehouse when we first started playing in 2005. Some suggest it is a bit on the large size, and we may want to cut off a couple inches. We are already undertaking two new policies to help boost offensive numbers, though (bigger bats and further mound distance), so a third change in favor of offense may be "piling on" and push numbers too far the other way. Let's discuss.
First item of business, since I believe most agree on this in principle: the 8" height off the ground is a relic from when pitches came in with more arc in those earlier, mid-pitch style days. Much the same as how the 45' from mound to batter became 45' mound to zone it was something we never bothered to correct. Well, the latter is already handled with the new distance of 48' from mound to zone; should we now also adjust the zone to start at 12" off the ground?
Assuming that we do change to 12" off the ground the picture to the right shows the the new placement without changing any dimensions (pink box). The bottom is lined up nicely with the knees (just below them) instead of down the shins, as the change is intended to do. The top of the zone, though, is now up in the armpits - and Zigila is no small man. Yes, I know the MLB rulebook still states the strike zone as armpits to knees, however, we all know that no league above the youngest levels of Little League calls it that way. I am not interested in curb-stomping pitchers, but am in favor of taking 2" off the zone vertically - making it 28" x 22".
A cursory glance around other leagues - those that actually display their rules, anyway - shows most are right in this neighborhood; and all start their zone 12" off the ground. KWL and HRL instead are both 2" thinner horizontally, and 30" vertical. SWBL is even thinner at 30" x 19". CCWA is close to this proposal at 27" x 23" - just 1" off either way. What really matters in zone size is area, so here are those numbers: current (30" x 22") = 660 sq. in.; KWL/HRL (30" x 20") = 600 sq. in.; CCWA (27" x 23") = 621 sq. in.; and proposed (28" x 22") = 616 sq. in. Clearly, 660 sq. in. is much larger than nearly all of our peers. Cutting the zone down to 28" x 22" not only brings us closer to the norm, but it will also cut down on some of the swings needed to be taken at 75-80 mph fastballs at (or above) the shoulders.
So, what are your thoughts on the strike zone? Bump up to 12" off the ground? Should we shrink it some, or leave it as is for now?
First item of business, since I believe most agree on this in principle: the 8" height off the ground is a relic from when pitches came in with more arc in those earlier, mid-pitch style days. Much the same as how the 45' from mound to batter became 45' mound to zone it was something we never bothered to correct. Well, the latter is already handled with the new distance of 48' from mound to zone; should we now also adjust the zone to start at 12" off the ground?
Assuming that we do change to 12" off the ground the picture to the right shows the the new placement without changing any dimensions (pink box). The bottom is lined up nicely with the knees (just below them) instead of down the shins, as the change is intended to do. The top of the zone, though, is now up in the armpits - and Zigila is no small man. Yes, I know the MLB rulebook still states the strike zone as armpits to knees, however, we all know that no league above the youngest levels of Little League calls it that way. I am not interested in curb-stomping pitchers, but am in favor of taking 2" off the zone vertically - making it 28" x 22".A cursory glance around other leagues - those that actually display their rules, anyway - shows most are right in this neighborhood; and all start their zone 12" off the ground. KWL and HRL instead are both 2" thinner horizontally, and 30" vertical. SWBL is even thinner at 30" x 19". CCWA is close to this proposal at 27" x 23" - just 1" off either way. What really matters in zone size is area, so here are those numbers: current (30" x 22") = 660 sq. in.; KWL/HRL (30" x 20") = 600 sq. in.; CCWA (27" x 23") = 621 sq. in.; and proposed (28" x 22") = 616 sq. in. Clearly, 660 sq. in. is much larger than nearly all of our peers. Cutting the zone down to 28" x 22" not only brings us closer to the norm, but it will also cut down on some of the swings needed to be taken at 75-80 mph fastballs at (or above) the shoulders.
So, what are your thoughts on the strike zone? Bump up to 12" off the ground? Should we shrink it some, or leave it as is for now?
