pop time

What would be considered the elite level pop time to second/third

thanks

Elite level pop time to second will be around 1.75 with 2.00 being considered good at the high school level.

Here is a quote from Cindy Bristow's recent article on the subject. Note these are game times with catcher properly catching the pitch first in her crouch then coming up to throw.

The times Cindy relates are consistent with what Ihave timed in games at these levels as well.


"I want to give a little more details to the Pop times I listed in my previous article. These times are game times and include a batter and the catcher staying in her squat prior to receiving the throw and the catcher staying behind the plate (instead of cheating out ahead of the plate):"

EXCELLENT = 1.6 seconds or less (Olympic Level Catchers)
GOOD = 1.8 seconds (Top College Level catchers)
AVERAGE COLLEGE = 1.9 to 2.1 seconds
AVERAGE HIGH SCHOOL = 2.3 seconds

My DD who is 13 has good mechanics behind the plate and has good transitional move when getting into position to make throw to second. However...her time is average...2.28. In my opinion, it seems like it takes her too long from when she receives the ball to making the throw. Her throws are hard and accurate, but I think she's lacking speed/quickness from that receive point to release. Any ideas on how to get her to release quicker?

catchermom said:

My DD who is 13 has good mechanics behind the plate and has good transitional move when getting into position to make throw to second. However...her time is average...2.28. In my opinion, it seems like it takes her too long from when she receives the ball to making the throw. Her throws are hard and accurate, but I think she's lacking speed/quickness from that receive point to release. Any ideas on how to get her to release quicker?

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Catchermom,

Does your daughter average 2.28 in games? or practice throws? or between inning throws?

catchermom said:

My DD who is 13 has good mechanics behind the plate and has good transitional move when getting into position to make throw to second. However...her time is average...2.28. In my opinion, it seems like it takes her too long from when she receives the ball to making the throw. Her throws are hard and accurate, but I think she's lacking speed/quickness from that receive point to release. Any ideas on how to get her to release quicker?

Click to expand...

Really need to see some video to be constructive. I will toss out there that at that age I still see catcher's who are bringing the ball past their thigh (as an outfielder would) making a big circle throw because they either lack the strength to pull back and fire from the ear, or becuase they USED to lack the strength and haven't eliminated the mechanic now that they are strong enough. Catching Coach has some good video's of what the foot work should look like, that's the next biggest problem I see.

Catching Coach said:

Catchermom,

Does your daughter average 2.28 in games? or practice throws? or between inning throws?

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Those are practice throws. In games she averages 2:12-2:15

We have watched video taken of her and she seems to do almost everything right most of the time. The problem seems just to be the slightest hesitation from her ear to throwing. She used to make a larger circular motion before brining the ball to her ear to throw, she's an outfielder too, she seems to have overcome that and it doesn't appear to be much of an issue. Yet, what I find odd, is that in an outfield situation when she catches the ball and needs to throw it to cutoff or home, there's no hesitation at all. She catches it and fires it right back. But, when it comes to catching, that throw just doesn't seem to be as quickly released as she would say if she was in outfield. It's pretty confusing. But what's difficult is that, yes she throws quicker in games, but when she's say being timed for a tryout, she doesn't throw nearly as quickly.


Another question...a bit off topic, but I have had catching coaches tell me two different ways they want throw downs to 2nd. One coach would prefer the catcher throw the ball to the base and have it bounce right before the bag into the glove of the shortstop. Another coach said absolutely not, they want the throw to go right to the shortstop. What's your thoughts?

When she is receiving the pitch in practice is she maybe more relaxed in a deeper crouch where as in a game she is more up because of runners on? I have been trying to get my daughter out of the deep crouch and for some reason she is resistent. But when she is crouched deeply it severely affects pop time because the first move is up to get out of the crouch and then forward to throw. Also a deep crouch is alot harder to get into proper blocking position.
As far as throwdown to 2nd I have heard coaches say both ways. Basically whatever works best. I know the one hop is designed to keep throw from having a rainbow arch which takes longer to get there. If the catcher does not have the arm and mechanics to get the throw there on a line then one hop works best. Just don't bounce it right in front of base which would be a short hop and is harder to handle. Practice throwing the ball no higher than the pitchers shoulder and try to bounce it about 7 to 9 ft in front of base. See if this helps.

footwork, footwork, footwork...then quick separation as the turn is made.

catchermom said:

Those are practice throws. In games she averages 2:12-2:15

We have watched video taken of her and she seems to do almost everything right most of the time. The problem seems just to be the slightest hesitation from her ear to throwing. She used to make a larger circular motion before brining the ball to her ear to throw, she's an outfielder too, she seems to have overcome that and it doesn't appear to be much of an issue. Yet, what I find odd, is that in an outfield situation when she catches the ball and needs to throw it to cutoff or home, there's no hesitation at all. She catches it and fires it right back. But, when it comes to catching, that throw just doesn't seem to be as quickly released as she would say if she was in outfield. It's pretty confusing. But what's difficult is that, yes she throws quicker in games, but when she's say being timed for a tryout, she doesn't throw nearly as quickly.


Another question...a bit off topic, but I have had catching coaches tell me two different ways they want throw downs to 2nd. One coach would prefer the catcher throw the ball to the base and have it bounce right before the bag into the glove of the shortstop. Another coach said absolutely not, they want the throw to go right to the shortstop. What's your thoughts?

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Catchermom,

First off a game throw range of 2.12-2.15 for a 13 yr old is an excellent time. We always want to improve but clearly she is doing alot of things correctly to get that time in a game. As far as the hesitation in the throw I feel she has a timing issue between her top half and lower half. When I see the hesitation in the throw it is clear to me that the signal from the brian to throw is being held up while the brain is waiting for some other body part to complete it's movement. Usually the hands are waiting for the legs. You cannot actually throw until your front foot is hitting the ground. Her hands may be ahead of her feet on her throw and you are seeing that hesitation. During her outfield throw her arm motion is probably longer and her throwing arm stays more in time with her legs and you do not perceive that there is any hesitation.

I am curious if she has had any elbow or shoulder issues during the past season or not. Sore enough she mentioned it, sore enough to need ice and/or ibuprofan etc?

The solution may be to take a look at her footwork and see if she is using footwork that is by it's very nature too long for a throw to 2nd. Do you have any video cliips of her throw?

As far as your question on the bounce or no bounce quesiton I look at it this way. Idealy when throwing to 2nd she should not be throwing 85ft right to 2nd. She should be throwing on a straight line to 95 feet, 10 feet past 2nd. Throw through the bag, not to it.

Notice I said idealy, the reality is that each girl must throw and stay within her self. If she can throw on a line all the way to the bag, then good, if her arm strengh will only deliver a throw to 6-8 feet in front of the bag, then let it bounce. The travel times from catcher to bag will almost always be fastest if you avoid an arc in the throw.

For girls that are on the fringe a stopwatch can help determine which approach might be best.