General
Characteristics
The Catcher's position is the most demanding in baseball.
During the course of a game, the catcher is the busiest player
on the field-crouching behind the plate, blocking balls, keeping
track of the count on each batter, repositioning teammates
defensively, and so on. The catcher needs to be one of the
team leaders as the catcher is much like the quarterback of
the team. The catcher needs to be one of the tougher (both
physically and mentally) players on the team due to the demands
on the position. The Catcher has to learn the most signs on
the team. A very good catcher is always one of the hardest
positions to find and/or develop and is said to be the quickest
way to advanced play (College or Pro).
Giving Signs
When giving signs to the pitcher remember:
- Place your glove around your left knee to shield the third
base coach from the signs.
- Point your knees at the pitcher to keep the 1st and 3rd
base coach's from stealing your signs
- Keep your sign hand deep into your crotch, so no one can
see the sign except the pitcher and SS/2B.
- Don't place your sign so low so that they can be seen
by the other team.
- Practice giving signs in a mirror at home. (Do it from
Pitcher's angle and base coach angle)
Proper Distance from the Batter
You need to be far enough behind the batter so that you don't
hit with the bat and called for catcher's interference. You
need to be as close to the batter as you can get without getting
hit with the bat. When the catcher is close to the batter
it allows the umpire to get a good look at the pitch. A good
catcher who sets up close to the batter can get those borderline
pitches called for strikes instead of balls by framing them
for strikes. A general rule is that you should almost be able
to touch the batters back elbow if you reached up with your
catchers mitt.
The Catcher's Position (No Runners)
With nobody on base, you should catch in the most comfortable
position. This is called the primary position. Generally this
is when your feet are shoulder width apart, throwing hand
behind your back (for protection) Catching hand should be
slightly outside your knee, catching arm should be out in
front with a slight bend at the elbow to allow for give.
The Catcher's Position (With Runners)
When runners are on base, we have to be in position for a
possible steal or bunt. This is called the secondary stance.
Your feet should be wider apart, weight up on the balls of
your feet. Right toes about even with the left instep. Legs
parallel to the ground, your rear end should be higher up.
The throwing hand now comes out next to the right side of
the mitt (with your thumb tucked into your palm with your
fingers wrapped around it). Make sure you make the catch before
attempting a throw. It won't do you any good to be in perfect
throwing position if you don't catch the ball first.
Framing Pitches
Framing pitches is a very important skill for a catcher.
Framing is a short, fluid move back into the middle of the
body with the glove after you have caught the ball. It allows
the borderline pitch to be called for strikes for often. Don't
overdo it, by trying to frame pitches that were way out of
the strike zone (10+ inches) as the umpire will pick up on
this and may use it against you.
Blocking Pitches
The catcher is not expected to catch every low pitch, but
the catcher is expected to at least keep the pitch in front
of him so the runners do not advance. There are different
blocking styles for different types of pitches.
The first style is for pitches straight in front of you (generally
fastballs):
- Fall to your knees
- Place you glove to the ground (fingers down)
- Throwing hand behind the glove
- Keep your body square to the ball
- Hunch your shoulders forward and over the ball
- Keep your chin down, so that you don't get hit in the
throat
- Deflect all balls back towards home plate where you can
see it and still make a play if needed
The second style is for pitches in the dirt either inside
or outside of you (Quite often Changeups and Curves):
- Take a quick jab step with foot closest to the ball
- Drive off the opposite leg and stay low while trying to
get around the ball
- Try to deflect the ball back towards home plate
Fielding Pop-ups
Most pop-ups will tend to drift back into the field due to
the spin of the ball, because of this the following steps
should be used when fielding pop-ups from the catchers position:
- Immediately look up and find the ball, take off mask if
needed
- Turn your back to the infield
- Throw your mask far enough away so that you don't trip
over it
- Raise you mitt above your chin
- Catch the ball with two hands above your chin
Fielding Bunts
There are two methods to use when fielding bunts down the
third base line. The first is take a small jab step with your
left foot and go out and round the ball (always staying to
the left of the ball). Get your right plant foot behind the
ball, scoop and throw. The second method is head directly
to the ball, get your right foot over the ball. Spin toward
first base and make the throw. On bunts directly in front
of you, head straight for the ball, round off when you get
to the ball. Square up to first base. Make the throw. On bunts
towards first base, Head straight for ball, scoop the ball
up. Either step into the infield (first choice) to get a better
throw angle or step into foul territory to get a better angle.
Make sure you don't hit the runner.
When to Scoop and When to Barehand
Generally, when the ball is moving, it should be scooped
using both the glove and hand. When the ball is not moving
then you may use the barehand method. When picking up the
ball it is important to think of your hand as a corkscrew
or pitchfork and either 'screw' or 'fork' the ball into the
ground as you pick it up. A common mistake is to take your
eyes off the ball to look at the runner before you securely
have the ball, Do not take your eyes off the ball until it
is securely in your hand.
Miscellaneous
Always remember the catcher is the only defensive player
on the field that can see the entire field and as such 'directs
traffic'. Take Charge, Be VOCAL, let your teammates know where
the play needs to be, If the ball needs to be thrown to 3B
or Home from the outfield, let them know by calling out 3,
3, 3 or 4, 4, 4 . If it should be cut and thrown to 2B, let
them know by calling out 'Cut 2, Cut 2. Remind them of the
situation, (One out, plays at First, We got White on a Bunt,
etc.). Remember, don't be shy, you are already looked up to
by your teammates by playing the most demanding position on
the field.
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