How Important is Good Blocking Catcher?

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Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
Just ask the Cubs after Game 3 ends 1-0 in the Indians favor.

How did that lone run score?

The Cubbies' catcher (Contreras) butchered a block (scored as a WP because it bounced short) because he went down with only one knee and the ball kicked far enough away to allow the Indians runner on second to advance to third late in a scoreless game. Contreras unsuccessfully attempted to redeem himself by nearly picking the runner off third on the next pitch.

The Indians runner who was gifted third subsequently scored to make it 1-0 on a short single to RF by Crisp. The hit was a soft line drive that landed in front of the RFer, who fielded it on one hop and threw out Davis attempting to go first to third. Debatable, but unlikely IMO that a runner on second could have scored on this, but having advanced on the blockable WP, the runner on third was able to score easily.

It turns out that that single gifted run held up and was the difference in the game. Maybe a catcher who can consistently execute good blocks really IS important (and underappreciated/unrecognized because I have heard not a single word about it during post-game analysis).

What a shame if the Cubs drought continues because of one poorly executed block.
 
Dec 19, 2012
1,428
0
People don't realize how important a good blocking catcher is......until they have one on their team and can see for themselves how many runs are saved.
 
Dec 10, 2015
845
63
Chautauqua County
People don't realize how important a good blocking catcher is......until they have one on their team and can see for themselves how many runs are saved.
OR when they don't have one on their team and they see how many runs they give up
OR
when you see that the other team doesn't have one and your runners are primed to run.

in any event, C-P-1B and then we go from there on D.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
People don't realize how important a good blocking catcher is......until they have one on their team and can see for themselves how many runs are saved.

IME even many of those fortunate enough to have one unfortunately still don't see it because they don't know what they don't know!
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
I'm a pitcher's mom and my pitcher isn't a junk pitcher but I still 100% recognize how important a good catcher is who can block! The longer she pitches the more I have a preference about who her catcher is, because the more obvious it becomes how crucial that is. It's such a partnership. A good catcher makes my pitcher look better. ;)
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
The importance of a good blocking catcher depends on the pitcher...a drop ball pitcher will probably benefit more than a riseball pitcher, but they are always good to have!
 
Oct 30, 2016
3
1
Gentlemen and Lady, I agree in principle; the value of a good blocking catcher. In this case, I believe there are a couple of overlooked facts. One, in the scorebook, all balls that land in the dirt prior to "blocking" are "wild pitches", especially this pitch. The ball landed approximately 8" in front of the plate. When this occurs with a spinning breaking ball, there is no way to predict the distance baseballs/softballs bounce to the right after hitting the ground (from the pitcher's view). Additionally, when a ball lands that far in front of the plate, it is at best a guess how high the ball will bounce. In this case, even with Contreras coming up high in his stance to get his body in front of it, the ball hits his left shoulder area prior to going off towards the 3rd base dugout.

I do not want to undermine the premise of this post, because a solid catcher behind the plate is game changing. However, I cannot honestly sit back and have someone criticize Contreras' blocking skills based on that pitch, it was wild. I replayed that pitch many times and cannot agree with your assessment. My assessment in no way diminishes the value you place on a catcher who prides his/her self in their blocking abilities.

I would like to add the value in a great blocking catcher that can pickup those low strikes like Contreras utilizing a less beneficial "Froggie", or lower stance. You may notice he doesn't "Froggie" with runners on, but strategically throughout the game. All of your posts on catcher value is well taken. As for the Cub's curse, I personally would like to see it continue; why end it now? Bill Buckner has give much to baseball here in Boise, Idaho.
 
Jul 26, 2016
108
18
extremely important at every Level. in beginner Levels of youth ball often literally half of the Ks turn basically into walks because the catcher can't hold onto the ball.

as the game advances it makes less of a difference but only because catchers who can't hold on to the ball get weeded out (and pitchers throw less in the dirt). still it can make a huge difference, there are less passed balls but also less runs scored so a single one can already decide the game.
 

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