Ferroli organized the Massachusetts State Tournament from 1977 through 1988. The most prolific group to utilize home plate umpires was the World Wiffleball Association out of Boston, Massachusetts led by one of the organized game’s most notable pioneers, Rick Ferroli. That has – at times – included utilizing umpires to call balls and strikes. Throughout the years, many have been inclined to follow traditional baseball as closely as possible as a guide for backyard baseball rules. It was a long journey – and not always a linear one – for the target strike zone to become the indispensable and widespread piece of equipment that it is today. The sport cycled and recycled through several different models for strike calling before the target strike zone became the industry standard.
The target strike zone varies in size and material by organization but as a general concept it is as prevalent of a piece of equipment that can be found in the modern game. The target strike zone has become so synonymous with the game that these days it is only notable by its absence. The rectangular target strike zone – a tool for automating ball and strike calls – is found in many leagues and tournaments (big or small) across the country. With the exception of the Wiffle® Ball itself, it might be the piece of equipment most closely associated with the game.
