Strike Zone Graphics

Dennis 37 · Post #1 » by **Dennis 37** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 6:06 pm

I am really missing the strike zone graphics we have be come used to during Jays games. One thing I never enjoyed about watching baseball in the past was the inner feeling that refs could affect the outcome of the game via their own interpretation of the strike zone. Since the implementation of the stoke zone graphic I feel two things have happened. One, I enjoy the game more because one can see exactly where the pitch is, and while there are mistakes, they are minimal. Two. the strike zone from ref to ref has become more consistent.

Now we are watching the playoffs and no strike zone graphic, along with sports announcers who seem more familiar with the opposing team. Regardless that the Blue jays have not yet won a game, I find I am not trusting the game, as I did when he strike zone graphics were there, and not enjoying a game when the announcers are constantly making excuses about the turf. It's like they've never been here before.

wow09 · Post #2 » by **wow09** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 6:42 pm

I feel the same way man. Feels like I'm watching the Raptors where I'm constantly paranoid we are getting screwed. Truth is the ump was bad for both teams yesterday.

I really don't get why MLB network decides to put an outfield graphic on the screen though. It is terrible.

Post #3 » by **Schad** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 7:05 pm

Dennis 37 wrote:I am really missing the strike zone graphics we have be come used to during Jays games. One thing I never enjoyed about watching baseball in the past was the inner feeling that refs could affect the outcome of the game via their own interpretation of the strike zone. Since the implementation of the stoke zone graphic I feel two things have happened. One, I enjoy the game more because one can see exactly where the pitch is, and while there are mistakes, they are minimal. Two. the strike zone from ref to ref has become more consistent.

Now we are watching the playoffs and no strike zone graphic, along with sports announcers who seem more familiar with the opposing team. Regardless that the Blue jays have not yet won a game, I find I am not trusting the game, as I did when he strike zone graphics were there, and not enjoying a game when the announcers are constantly making excuses about the turf. It's like they've never been here before.

Open MLB.com's Gameday tracker during games; has both the little strike zone chart and a wealth of other information.

Dennis 37 · Post #4 » by **Dennis 37** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 10:07 pm

Schad wrote:
Open MLB.com's Gameday tracker during games; has both the little strike zone chart and a wealth of other information.

This is good to know.

Shimso · Post #5 » by **Shimso** » Sat Oct 10, 2015 11:17 pm

Between the commentators who believe every aspect of life is related to turf, to the cluttered graphics, these last 2 games have made me really miss our local coverage. The pitch tracker is a really nice feature off to the side of the screen (as opposed to that simulated one that overlays onto the catcher), as is the narrow scoreboard that's at the bottom of an SN broadcast.

UN-Owen · Post #6 » by **UN-Owen** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 2:41 am

According to this article, umpires are getting about 15% of calls wrong

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2014/1/27/5341676/how-well-do-umpires-call-balls-and-strikes

StopitLeo · Post #7 » by **StopitLeo** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 11:59 am

Are you saying the strike zone graphic makes you feel mistakes are more minimal and more consistent between umps? Because it has no actual effect on what the umps call as balls or strikes.

One thing that has changed with Fox coverage is that the CF cam is off centred to the right vs. the usual Sportsnet camera setup which was right behind the pitcher.

I do think that the pitch tracker is way more useful than the dumb graphic showing the defensive alignment. That information is so pointless 99% of the time.

Dennis 37 · Post #8 » by **Dennis 37** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 6:05 pm

StopitLeo wrote:Are you saying the strike zone graphic makes you feel mistakes are more minimal and more consistent between umps? Because it has no actual effect on what the umps call as balls or strikes.

One thing that has changed with Fox coverage is that the CF cam is off centred to the right vs. the usual Sportsnet camera setup which was right behind the pitcher.

I do think that the pitch tracker is way more useful than the dumb graphic showing the defensive alignment. That information is so pointless 99% of the time.

It is probably related to my mistrust of NBA refs being translated onto baseball. When I see the strike zone graphic it shows that inconsistencies are minimal. When I don't see it I am always second guessing. I enjoy the game more when I am not second guessing strikes and balls.

Secondly I believe the existence of the graphic can have an effect on umpires. If they go back and watch recordings of games, and the graphic is present, they can easily evaluate their performance. Without the graphic in place, especially if the centre field camera isn't lined up perfectly, umps would have a harder time evaluating their performance.

StopitLeo · Post #9 » by **StopitLeo** » Sun Oct 11, 2015 7:22 pm

Don't get me started on NBA officials, lol

I agree about the instant feedback on pitches. Watching it on fox was annoying, having to wait for the next batter to see the replay of whether the called strike 3 or ball 4 was correct.

Umps have their performance reviewed right? I don't know much about the details but I would wonder if they show them hard data about balls and strikes.

Boogie! · Post #10 » by **Boogie!** » Mon Oct 12, 2015 4:30 am

coming into this series i said something along the lines of, "i like baseball because umps cant really screw over players as much as refs in the nba." i was wrong. to a certain extent of course. im not gonna blame the umps for everything. but an inconsistent strike zone can really screw things up for hitters. because they dont know when to take when to swing... it forces a lot of bad swings on pitches that couldve been a strike one at bat but also couldve been ball 4 in another...

the guy tonight was pretty good though. there werent many at bats where i thought, MY GOD HORRIBLE CALL... then again, the angle was weird and the jays drew a lot of walks on obvious balls so it wasnt a big deal.

lobosloboslobos · Post #11 » by **lobosloboslobos** » Mon Oct 12, 2015 11:44 am

The thing is our turf really is weird. i mean, have you ever seen anything like it? what the hell is all that huge spray of artificial dust every single time a ball hits it? how can that be intentional? it must be extremely weird to play on and looks like garbage.

J-Roc · Post #12 » by **J-Roc** » Mon Oct 12, 2015 12:40 pm

Boogie! wrote:coming into this series i said something along the lines of, "i like baseball because umps cant really screw over players as much as refs in the nba." i was wrong. to a certain extent of course. im not gonna blame the umps for everything. but an inconsistent strike zone can really screw things up for hitters. because they dont know when to take when to swing... it forces a lot of bad swings on pitches that couldve been a strike one at bat but also couldve been ball 4 in another...

the guy tonight was pretty good though. there werent many at bats where i thought, MY GOD HORRIBLE CALL... then again, the angle was weird and the jays drew a lot of walks on obvious balls so it wasnt a big deal.

I always watch in the first inning to get a sense of the consistency of the strike zone. I guess it's like consistency with calls in the NBA. If it's consistent, then the better team has a much better chance of winning.

StopitLeo · Post #13 » by **StopitLeo** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 5:02 pm

lobosloboslobos wrote:The thing is our turf really is weird. i mean, have you ever seen anything like it? what the hell is all that huge spray of artificial dust every single time a ball hits it? how can that be intentional? it must be extremely weird to play on and looks like garbage.

The spray is made up of small rubber pellets. They are used to support the "blades of grass" in the turf, weigh down the turf, and add cushioning. The pellets play a similar role to soil on a natural grass surface. The spray is an inevitable consequence of using turf but it will get less overtime as it sinks in (probably not relevant if they actually switch to grass).

Back to the strike zone graphic. Did anyone else notice that Fox basically stopped using it to show pitch location in Games 3 and 4? I'm guessing the commish didn't like it, especially when used with an inconsistent plate ump.

Sticks · Post #14 » by **Sticks** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 5:17 pm

As annoying as it is, I hope the commentators continue talking about the turf all the way to the world series

Hopefully it would embarrass Rogers enough to do something about the damn turf! :nonono:

wtcantfw · Post #15 » by **wtcantfw** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 5:21 pm

Having watched baseball my entire life, I actually prefer not having the pitch tracker on screen. I mean, it's nice information to have, but it really shouldn't impact how you enjoy the game. I find it more fun to judge pitches myself as I see them, as opposed to where it lands in an imaginary strike zone.

Dennis 37 · Post #16 » by **Dennis 37** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 7:00 pm

Beatbox wrote:Having watched baseball my entire life, I actually prefer not having the pitch tracker on screen. I mean, it's nice information to have, but it really shouldn't impact how you enjoy the game. I find it more fun to judge pitches myself as I see them, as opposed to where it lands in an imaginary strike zone.

You don't watch basketball, do you. Anyone, who has watched basketball, has built up an inherent distrust of officials. The strike zone graphic helps me fight back my tendency to accuse referees of being biased.

Post #17 » by **Geddy** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 7:43 pm

I really wish we got TBS covering the series instead of Fox.

Raps in 4 · Post #18 » by **Raps in 4** » Wed Oct 14, 2015 9:43 pm

MLB wants to keep us quiet. It's all part of the conspiracy.

But really, it's time for robot umpires. There is literally no benefit to using humans.

Natural11 · Post #19 » by **Natural11** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 12:26 am

I thought the umpires did a great job today. The ruling in the 7th was ridiculous, but they got it right based on the rules. The strike zone was pretty consistent and they did take both coaches seriously and discuss certain calls as a group.

I guess people are a little salty about the 7th still, but if you try to look at the game objectively, I think they were very consistent under enormous pressure. They got the calls right, whether you agree with the rule or not.

wtcantfw · Post #20 » by **wtcantfw** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 2:33 am

Dennis 37 wrote:
Beatbox wrote:Having watched baseball my entire life, I actually prefer not having the pitch tracker on screen. I mean, it's nice information to have, but it really shouldn't impact how you enjoy the game. I find it more fun to judge pitches myself as I see them, as opposed to where it lands in an imaginary strike zone.

You don't watch basketball, do you. Anyone, who has watched basketball, has built up an inherent distrust of officials. The strike zone graphic helps me fight back my tendency to accuse referees of being biased.

I'm actually a bigger Raptors fan than I am a Jays fan. I'm just not an insecure conspiracy theorist like you.