The strike zone is a skill (tool) that umpires use. How's that for putting it simply? The basics of that skill can be taught. How's that for creating problems?
This series of articles intends methodically to teach a beginning umpire how to use that tool. You might say it's "Strike Zone For Dummies." But I've never known any person to be a "dummy" who wanted to learn how to work baseball. Rather, such persons are among the brave of America.
I do know quite a few clinicians who don't know how to teach. I'm going to take some pot shots at their techniques! Mostly, I'm going to try to remain positive, educational, basic.
Credit for the idea for these articles belongs to my little brother, Jimmy. He volunteered to work in a Little League program in Seattle. How would I teach my dear brother to work the strike zone? I would teach him how to use it, as a tool, with skill. Here's what I told him.
Play ball...
