Article: New strike zone should be a lesson.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

SAN JOSE _ The first pitch of a season comes Sunday, and that's always a good thing. But the usual anticipation this spring seems less connected to players and teams than it is to umpires and strike zones. Before the first batter steps up to the plate, the central issue to the game is already the high strike.

As sports matters go, this one isn't nearly as important as the possibility of another lockout. But it's significant. The strike zone is the instrument of measurement for every pitch; when the ball leaves the pitcher's hand, its value is judged by its location as it crosses home plate. One bad call can have a ripple effect through an entire game.

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