Where is the strike zone in baseball?

Question

Above the knees, over the plate and what is the vertical limit?

Answer 1

From the MLB rulebook:

"The STRIKE ZONE is that area over home plate the upper limit of which is a horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants, and the lower level is a line at the hollow beneath the knee cap. The Strike Zone shall be determined from the batter's stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball."

So, the first answer was pretty much right on - the upper part of the strike zone should be around the numbers, although it's not always called that way.

Answer 2

Umpires should just call the game as good and as honestly as they can without bias. The strike zone should go back to where it used to be and they should also raise the mound as it was meant to be originally. Also too many times umps call strikes on pitches that are clearly off the corner just because the catcher puts his mitt there. Now nobody is perfect but any umpires consistently calling bad games behind the plate, shouldn't be allowed to call games behind the plate and reprimanded by the league. From the knees to the letters or under the armpits on the corners with any part of the baseball going over the black (painting the black) is a strike. Please enough with the technology as arguing with the umpire is part of the fun of the game.

Answer 3

It's interesting how many people can be so wrong on such an elementary question.

In pro ball, the strike zone is a "horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants" to "a line at the hollow beneath the knee cap."

In high school, the lower part of the zone i defined as being the "bottom of the knees."

Under NCAA rules, the bottom of the zone is the "bottom of the kneecaps."

In all levels of Little League, however, the strike zone is "between the batter's armpits and the top of the knees when the batter assumes a natural stance."

Answer 4

The mid point between the top of the uniform pants and the armpits (about the nipple line). Plus remember the rules says in MLB rules book when the batter attempts to strike at the pitch. Have a buddy (without a bat) perform his swing and put your hand at the height of his back nipple then have him return to start. Your hand should be just above his belt and that is the top of the zone.

Answer 5

They say the zone is from the letters to the knees, but i never see an umpire call a strike at the letters(chest). When I umpired i called the strikes bottom of the rib cage to the knees and that is what most umps will call.

GL

Answer 6

Anywhere from between the shoulders down to the knees. A lot of umps alter this. Also if the pitcher threw a ball and the ump thought it was a strike, ask him to wipe home base clean. Another tip for not striking is not hanging over the batting zone.

Answer 7

Knees to the top of the letters, and the plate edges umps vary strikes zones based on how much of the ball needs to catch the edge for a strike

Answer 8

The strike zone from an umpire's point of view is the highest strike being armpit length while the lowest strike is knee high.

Every strike must be over the plate though, of course.

Answer 9

Actually it was changed in 1996:

It's now from below the knees to the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants.


shawn, I'm not going to trust anyone who calls himself a "ref" in baseball.
.

Answer 10

The zone is from the letters on the jersey to the knees and is as wide as the plate