Every single pitch at the Little League World Series can change the entire game, which often leads to heightened scrutiny for the volunteer umpire who calls balls and strikes behind the plate. That was especially true when a player from Panama found himself on first after a walk he did not deserve due to a questionable strike zone.
Fortunately, the free base did not impact the outcome.
This latest behavior at the Little League World Series creates an interesting conversation about decorum. There is a point where strategy can become unsportsmanlike, even if it works.
What is the strike zone at the Little League World Series?
There are very few things in sports that cause more discussions, disagreements, concerns and frustrations than the strike zone in baseball. The human element of the game is something that cannot be replicated in football, basketball, hockey, etc. It is part of what makes baseball what it is. There is nothing else like it!
Every strike zone is slightly different, which keeps things interesting. It can also create problems at the plate…
For example, a blown call in the second inning prevented Iowa star pitcher Cooper Thissen from throwing a complete game no-hitter, which led to a controversial strike three call that robbed California of the game-tying run in the last inning of a loss. There was a direct correlation between the outcome and the umpiring error. That is not great. The MLB added ABS to avoid those issues.
Little League does not have a challenge system for balls and strikes and umpires are volunteers. Not every call is going to be right.
According to the current edition of Little League’s Rules, Regulations, and Policies, the strike zone is “that space over home plate which is between the batter’s armpits and the top of the knees when the batter assumes a natural stance.” The umpire shall determine the strike according to the batter’s usual stance when that batter swings at a pitch.
“The batter’s normal stance should be determined when the batter swings at a pitch or takes a practice swing. The umpire should be aware of a batter who tries to give the impression of a small zone by squatting. Once the umpire determines the batter’s normal stance, he/she should call that strike zone no matter what the batter may do to alter his/her stance and zone.”
It does not matter where in the batter’s box the batter stands or how the batter stands. The strike zone will always remain over home plate based on the batter’s natural stance.
An umpiring error led to an undeserved walk on an incorrect ball four.
Canada defeated Panama by a final score of 3-2 during an elimination game at the Little League World Series. An incorrect ball four call during the fourth inning did not have a direct impact on the outcome.
However, it creates an interesting conversation about batter decorum and the strike zone.
Ianne Salcedo, a 4-foot-10, 90-pound 11-year-old, worked a 3-0 count with one out and no runners on. He proceeded to wiggle in the batter’s box as if he was dancing the Tamborito and held his bat like he was going to lay down a bunt. As the Canada pitcher wound up and threw down to the plate, Salcedo shouted back at the mound and ducked super low below the pitch. Ball four.
Panama drew a walk even though the ball crossed the plate. The umpire, confused by Salcedo’s dance, did not adhere to Little League’s rules for the strike zone. He called the fourth ball based on how he stood in the box, not his natural stance. It was wrong.
Salcedo also could’ve been called for unsportsmanlike conduct for yelling at the pitcher during his delivery. The umpire could’ve sent him back to the plate on a 3-1 count. Instead, it was a walk he did not deserve. That can’t happen!