A word to the unwise.

There is a certain rapport between the plate umpire and the catchers ... of both teams.

By asking your catcher, "Where was that pitch?" you are putting him in an impossible situation. It's very awkward.

If the umpire called the pitch a ball ... just what is it you expect your catcher to tell you?

"That caught the corner coach. It looked good to me."

From the perspective of the dugout, it is unquestionably difficult determining whether a pitch was a little outside, or, if it caught the outside corner. But that is not a good reason to have a public discussion, for all to hear, on that matter.

Umpires hate it!

You should not be confusing an inside pitch for an outside pitch from the dugout. If you can't make the discernment, then you're not watching closely enough. The catcher's glove will tell you.

As pure as your intentions may be, the FACT of the matter is that most coaches use these type of comments as a backhanded way of criticizing the umpire's judgment. And they use the catcher as the middle man in the dispute.

If you really want to know where your pitcher is missing ... requent time and talk with the pitch and catcher at the mound. Or, wait until the inning is over and have a conversation with the catcher.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN