I can't catch for her

STRIKE3 · Apr 26, 2016

riseball said:
You are better off with your new purchase than catching for he on a bucket. Unfortunately sitting on a bucket is not only bad for the parent, it hinders the development of the pitcher. Lose the bucket and never look back.

I would have to agree if you are the also DD's PC which many of us are. The faster they pitch the less you can see and providing feedback is almost impossible. We have been working away from bucket dad to throwing more in the net. It is amazing how much more I can see now.....

Great purchase and it will pay off!

And yes, I still sit on the bucket periodically. I will never completely let it go as it is my favorite place in the entire world.

bmd · Apr 26, 2016

I think that eventually most pitchers outgrow their bucket dad/mom. I do not catch. dh catches. It gets frustrating when he has a hectic work schedule. Hang in there and good luck!

Classof2020 · Apr 26, 2016

I too have been thinking of getting something like that even though DD says she hates throwing into a net :/

I sit on a low rubbermaid stool since my knees can't handle the squat, and it get's me a lot closer to proper catcher height. I am ot a great catcher at all so i also wear a catcher mask or an infielders mask, leg guards and often a down vest. I also bought a mediocre catchers glove. Every once in a while she still catches an unprotected part of me but it's usually my fault when it happens like sticking my foot out to stop a drop ball from going by and catching it on the ankle bone. If you are so inclined and she is throwing in the low 40's with the right gear you can definitely catch for her if I can. haha

Rocketech1 · Apr 26, 2016

Gear up, gear up, gear up....

Greenmonsters · Apr 26, 2016

riseball said:
There are many reasons but consider these:

1) If you are sitting on a bucket, chances are your target is too high and you are training her to throw a fat pitch. If you must catch and sit, try a milk crate and get the glove where it belongs.

2) Unless you are specifically working on throwing to location, you do not need to throw to a catcher. Working mechanics is best accomplished at short distances into a tarp. This gets the pitcher focusing on the process and not the results. As a rule pitchers spend far too much time throwing to a catcher while not really working on anything specific.

3) You cannot see and correct mechanics from 43ft away sitting on a bucket.

A bit off topic, but all work done at pitching distance and beyond should be done with a striped ball.

I will add that most kids will not go all out because they are worried about hurting mom or dad. They don't have that lurking in the back of their mind when pitching to a "real catcher". IMO, it is also better for a pitcher to be "weaned" earlier, rather than later, from bucket mom or dad, who can't help them when they are in the circle and the game is on the line.

grcsftbll · Apr 27, 2016

Oh, she is definitely worried about hurting me, even with me telling her if I don't manage to stop a ball from hitting me somewhere it's my own fault and for her not to worry about it. I don't think so with her dad, at least not yet. He was a catcher in his youth and is still in decent shape so it's not a big deal for him. But she prefers practicing with me - he analyzes and talks too much for her taste. lol

Mad4Ball · Apr 27, 2016

My DD loves it when she hurts me. I think it gives her a sense of satisfaction that she can actual pitch hard enough to do so. I have to say I egg her on a little. But the shin guard idea is something I'll have to invest in, my legs are getting pretty lumpy.

I really like the soccer ball idea, hitting it off a tee and pitching around it. If anyone has any other ideas to enhance net pitching I'd love to her them.

riseball · Apr 27, 2016

On a day when your DD cannot find the zone with a GPS, place a 12oz water bottle on a tee and watch as she continues to struggle and provide and endless list of excuses. Make a deal with her that you will run a pole each time she knocks the bottle off the tee. Then lace up your running shoes as you watch her drill 10 in a row like she is the long lost little sister of Cat Osterman.

grcsftbll · Apr 27, 2016

riseball said:
On a day when your DD cannot find the zone with a GPS, place a 12oz water bottle on a tee and watch as she continues to struggle and provide and endless list of excuses. Make a deal with her that you will run a pole each time she knocks the bottle off the tee. Then lace up your running shoes as you watch her drill 10 in a row like she is the long lost little sister of Cat Osterman.

LMAO!!!!!!!! I think that would work with mine!

PEPPERS · Apr 27, 2016

When DD comes home for the summer and wants to practice I purchased new catchers gear to help me out.

I have found out that mud flaps from a tractor trailer make a loud popping noise when hit with a softball and the kids like to hear the pop, we use it in front of a net for pitching practice.

I can't catch for her

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