ere are some of the classic areas where the rules compete with other interests to present the umpire with an ethical dilemma.

The strike zone

Many serious officials accept that calling a rulebook-perfect strike zone is simply NOT appropriate at all levels of play. All the same, there are many honest and intelligent umpires who cannot believe anyone would ever seek to apply a strike zone that varies even one iota from that quoted in the rulebook. There is more than an element of both gullibility and overzealous egalitarianism in that perspective, I can assure you.

Theoretically, no one can tell an umpire where the strike zone should be. Pragmatically, everyone but the umpire dictates the strike zone he will finally call. If you call any strike zone, however correct under the rules, and that zone earns you consistent criticism from players, coaches, and assignors alike, then you must either change it or "take up fishing," as my ABF Manager, Umpire Development, is occasionally heard to say.

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