What do you do when DD can't find a catcher regularly??

maksoftball · Nov 17, 2014

I used to be bucket mom until the middle finger of catching hand has just had it (last month it swelled double - thought it was broken, nope - major bruising, and the ligaments keep getting yanked the wrong way).

HS catcher is injured, another catcher isn't reliable, and the catchers in area are few and far between. Her TB catchers live way too far for just pitcher/catcher practices.

She has tried to pitch into bownet, but she says it is hard to make adjustments when pitching to a net vs a catcher.

So how do you find catchers?? Do you hang money from a fishing pole and bait them? LOL. We are going to talk to her pitching coach to see what he can suggest. Aside from that, I don't know what to do or how to help her. She gets quite frustrated.

AndyS · Nov 17, 2014

Are there local softball boards you can post on? Do you know any catching instructors in the area? If not your PC may know catchers and/or catching instructors in the area. My DD offers and buys them food to keep them coming! Seriously the food thing works. Good luck.

guero_gordo · Nov 17, 2014

maksoftball said:
So how do you find catchers?? Do you hang money from a fishing pole and bait them? LOL. We are going to talk to her pitching coach to see what he can suggest. Aside from that, I don't know what to do or how to help her. She gets quite frustrated.

Typically, they are drawn to shiny things. Perhaps a mylar balloon out front. ;-)

Jojo · Nov 17, 2014

Actually this is a more serious issue than it sounds.

I've had several pitchers whose parents/grandparents started out just fine catching them and then they outgrew their family members ability to catch them and they have to give up pitching. It really is a shame.

Luckily for you your DD is already in high school so that's a big plus.
My best advice is for her to keep using the net and also set up a tarp with markings for spots.
Have a bucket for drops and off speeds.

Throughout the week have her work her mechanics/speed in the net, and speed and spins in the tarp & bucket.

During high school & team practice ask if she can get a extra long practice maybe even coming early or staying late so she can work more with a catcher.

YOCOACH · Nov 17, 2014

Another thought is to contact other TB organizations or HS teams in your area and see if they have any catchers interested in getting some extra work in. DD often does this for other pitchers in the area and I tell her to use this to practice her techniques in throwing motions, pops, snaps and dropping/blocking. It helps her as well as the pitchers.

sluggers · Nov 17, 2014

With all seriousness, I suggest some catching lessons and a better mitt.

Your hand shouldn't be getting that beat up from catching her. Either your mitt is the problem or your technique is the problem.

Doug Romrell · Nov 17, 2014

A solid catcher is VITAL! In fact, it's pretty tough for a pitcher to do her best without a good catcher. The best catcher we had this past season was one we picked up in the late fall. It was a breath of fresh air to experience her abilities. And, the pitchers did better. I can only imagine how much better our season would have been having had this catcher the whole season.

spleen1015 · Nov 17, 2014

sluggers said:
With all seriousness, I suggest some catching lessons and a better mitt.

Your hand shouldn't be getting that beat up from catching her. Either your mitt is the problem or your technique is the problem.

This.

Your middle finger is taking too much of the impact if that is happening. You want to catch the ball in the webbing of the glove.

On low inside pitches, I seem to catch it a lot with the middle finger too, but that's maybe 2 times in 50-60 pitches.

MNDad · Nov 17, 2014

I think what you're going through is fairly common. I caught DD through 12U, but as she got older and stronger and faster, I just got older. I didn't have the skill, reaction time or the eyesight to catch her anymore.

It's surprising how many catchers wish they had someone to practice with. DD's only problem is waiting until the l;ast minute to ask and then they've already made plans. When that happens she uses a bucket of balls and throws into a net. It's not ideal, but it works.

MNDad · Nov 17, 2014

spleen1015 said:
This.

On low inside pitches, I seem to catch it a lot with the middle finger too, but that's maybe 2 times in 50-60 pitches.

I often wound up "catching" low inside pitches with my big toe.

What do you do when DD can't find a catcher regularly??

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