Consider the Age Group When Making a Call

When we are working little league games, it is important to take into consideration the level of play as well as the age of the players. Have you ever worked a game with another umpire who calls a high school strike zone or is very strict about balk calls during a 12 year old rec game? I understand that it is important to enforce the rules at all ages, but it is still important that the players have fun while they are on the field. Some players may be learning how to deal with runners leading off for the first time. Some batters are still afraid of the ball and they don't swing. Pitchers are still learning how to find the strike zone. 

While working younger kids, say for instance 10 year olds, you can't make your strike zone halfway between the belt and the armpits to the bottom of the knees. I don't care if the team is a tournament team. A lot of pitchers are never going to hit that zone. I'm not saying that my strike zone is the greatest either - I don't give much leniency on the corners (unless the ball hits the corner), but I don't give one to two inches either off the plate. I do, however, call as high as the armpits to the bottom of the knees. I think that coaches appreciate this more, since most of them want their players to swing. The only way they are going to swing is if you are calling more strikes than balls. Plus, those are pitches the players can still hit.

When working 14 year old rec teams, most of the players ones who couldn't make an AAU or travel team, so they still aren't very good. At the same time though, the zone has to become smaller. My zone shrinks from the armpits to "nipples to the knees." Once again, not saying this is the best or most efficient zone, but I have had few problems with it from coaches, players or parents. 

Another issue I have noticed are some umpires who see slight movements from younger pitchers who are just learning to watch lead off runners. If they slightly move without trying to deceive the runners, I typically won't call the balk, even if the coach starts to shout. If it is very obvious though, such as a turn of the shoulders, I have to call the balk. From there, it's important for the umpire to instruct the pitcher what he did wrong. If you don't tell him, he will never learn and will do it again. Same goes for pitchers who don't come to a complete stop when coming set. This seems to be a more prevalent problem over the past several years. If you quietly reminder the pitcher to pause, without calling the balk first, you may be able to nip the problem immediately.

My point is that not all players are on the same level as their peers, especially if you are comparing rec teams to travel teams. I won't ever criticize an umpire's zone or tactics to him, unless he asks for help or critiquing. It's important though to remember how old the players are and what level they are playing - keep the game fun and relaxing, while making sure the players develop and maintain the integrity of the game. Not only is that the job of the coach, but it is also the job of the umpire.