texfire54

Hey All, I am working with a lefty catcher who wants to improve her snap throws to third with a right handed batter in the box. I have been looking for videos or clips showing the leg work. She throws from her knees, has a real good pop time with good arm stregnth. We would like to see if we can improve by sliding back or sliding at a 45 degree angle. Also looking at possibly using more of a sidearm delevery. Would like your thoughts, and if you know of any video that addresses this. Thanks Mark

oldcatcher

a couple things about catching - never ever throw sidearm from the catchers position
-also, I would never recommend 'snap throws' to 3rd base, the runner cant go anywhere if the catcher has the ball, so unless the runner falls down, you have alot more things that can go wrong than can go right
- for all catching throws I have always taught younger catchers(and I was also taught this way) - go straight forward and get up into a throwing motion and try to throw staight overhand - a catcher should be throwing a bit in front of the plate to prevent possible hitting the batter or the bat, I am not sure if this is what you want to hear or not, using snap throws to any base is just not sound defense and you rarely get a runner, you have to have 5 things go perfect - 1.catcher has to catch the pitch2.catcher has to get in a setup to throw3.catcher has to make the throw4. defensive player has to catch the ball5. defensive player has to tag the runner - very poor odds of all things going right
If throwing in a base stealing situation, I always recommend getting out in front of the plate, setting up, and throwing straight overhand
Too many catchers stay back in the catching position and get no momentum into the throw, hence they throw no one out
Keep it very simple and work at it so it becomes 2nd nature

oldcatcher

not sure why she is throwing from her knees, as that is simply poor technique
catchers should always be on the soles of their feet and not resting on the knees
- I know catchers who can throw from the knees, but you simply cant be as accurate that way or throw as hard
- if you have to do it because of blocking a pitch, then so be it - but in the normal sequence of a game, just stay in the squat/sole position and this will prevent developing poor habits

HG dad

A couple of things here.If she throws the ball to third and it hits the batter or the bat because batter is still in batters box,thats batter interference ball is dead and batter is out(ASA).A drop and block pitch is no reason to give up on a throw down under a two out, runner on first ,fake bunt situation.Limited situations but good technique for select,high school,or college softball.Rec players should not try this just to be trying it.To much risk of thrown away ball.Anyone that throws from the knees should get it perfect in practice before ever trying it in a game.

Catching Coach

HG Dad,

What ASA rule are you refering to here?

Rule 7:Section 6 reads as follows:

A batter is out when:

P. When hindering the catcher from catching or throwing the ball by stepping out of the batter’s box.
Q. When actively hindering the catcher while in the batter’s box.
R. When intentionally interfering with a thrown ball, in or out of the batter’s box

I believe the key is that the batter may not "actively hinder" the throw. But I do not read this rule that just getting hit by the throw from the catcher is not grounds for being called out.

If you have a different rule in the book you have please let me know what it is.

HG dad

Your exact republication of this rule is correct. As an umpire,coach and father,if the catcher has enough time to catch the ball,bounce up and make the attempt to throw the ball to third base and the batter is still in the box then the answer to your question would be yes.Rule 7: section 6

Catching Coach

Tex,

As others have stated stay away from teaching catchers to throw side-arm. The last thing you want is to have that technique start to sneak into her throw to 2nd.

I am a stong advocate for not throwing from knees. I have had many students come to me insisting they can throw it faster that way. What I have found was that their mechanics for the conventional throw was flawed. When that was fixed their throws were now faster and more accurate with full footwork, rather then just relying on arm strengh with a throw from their knees.