Former catcher, Dan Wilson of the Mariners, has to be one of the best I have watched in the last 20 years. The guy was textbook with blocks.
How Important is Good Blocking Catcher?
- Thread starter Greenmonsters
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Greenmonsters
Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Another example of how not to block in Game #6 tonight. I'd go into more detail but YoCoach already started a new thread about it.
- Aug 27, 2015
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The one thing I have heard from catching coaches is that blocking is the least thing a catcher will do, but it is the thing they are judged on the most.
Greenmonsters
Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
This differs from my experience.
What do you mean by least? The least important? Sorry, no way. The thing they may do least in a game? Again, sorry but I disagree especially with a very good dropball pitcher which I have. She hates pitching for her HS team because their catcher either can't or won't drop and block thus eliminating her go-to pitch from her arsenal. This pitch literally falls off the table when it's on and often ends up in the dirt for a strike. It's nothing for my team catchers to drop and block 40-60 times a game because I teach them "when in doubt, drop."
Catchers who don't do the things above well aren't *really* catchers, they are just filling a position. A catcher not good at these things, especially once they've been doing it a while, would be like an OF that can't catch a fly ball or a SS who can only field balls hit right at her.
This above is what separates the great catchers and while I think it's a great list it misses what I actually think is #1
7. Working with pitchers/calling games -- winning games - We let our catchers call their own game. There is so much to learn and know here not only about setting up hitters, how pitches and sequences work and work together, how to identify hitter weaknesses and how to get the best out of pitchers in good times and bad. We let our catchers call games, I know some don't but I think it's crucial to their development.
If we go back to the original poster here, that's what David Ross brought to the Cubs, along with clubhouse presence and leadership.
Good topic, interesting stuff.
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And while I agree with you wholeheartedly, let's be realistic when it comes to SB. Many coaches, even at the D3 level, are loathe to let their catchers call the game because their jobs depend upon a successful season or, at a minimum, a series of them. This is not MLB where the catchers spend countless hours studying "film" because it's part of their job description (because a college SB catcher, when not practicing is too busy trying to maintain grades, eat or shower) nor does a college SB season consist of 140+ games. Also, it's not TB where many coaches do it on the fly after looking at a few practice swings. By the same token, I wonder how many of the "Top level" TB coaches that we perennially see in the top 10 PGF/ASA finals each year let their catchers actually call the game as far as pitches go.
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Greenmonsters
Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Pet Peeve Warning
If you've called games from the behind the plate, you understand how much less effective calling from the bench is. For those coaches who don't have the experience to make that comparison, I've still yet to hear any claim that THEY, with the benefit of all their notes/scouting reports/game plans, could not do a better job if they sat in the catcher's spot v. any spot in the dugout. IMO/IME, a serious freshman catcher who has been entrusted with calling pitches since age 12U (when for the most part it doesn't even matter what the hell you call because the pitcher can't consistently deliver it) and is provided with a wristband game plan for each hitter, will be more effective calling pitches than 95% of ALL college coaches from Day 1. And if the other 5% worked with the catcher to pass on their knowledge and experience, that catcher would be at least their equal before the end of year 1.
The $100M question I have is where and how did these college coaches (let alone travel coaches) develop their pitch calling expertise? Even if they pitched, most simply don't know what they don't know. Very unfortunate and myopic IMO.
Again my friend, I agree with you. My catchers call the game. If I see a flaw in a swing or know the player, I'll make suggestions in between innings but it's my catchers game. I'm just stating reality in the above post.
I wonder too, anyone have an educated guess of coach signal calling in travel and/or college softball?
....I know MOST travel coaches are no better -- and probably worse -- at it then their catchers would be with a little training and encouragement...as Greenmonsters so well-described above...
