Responsibilty to throw pitch in dirt! or not?

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radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
imo this is an important topic for people to consider regarding the catching position.
While there are different perspectives to approach, there is still the measuring stick of performance on the field!
Simply some things to consider~

Regarding the question of catchers responsibility on dirt pitches.
And specifically blocking
(letting pitch hit the catcher)
vs. Fielding dirt pitches.

*Acknowledging~
Different approaches in phylosophy and mechanics,
Brings this topic of discussion.

How do you view the responsibility of being a catcher.
*With a runner on base...
*And the pitch is in the dirt...

A. Is it enough the catcher keeps the ball in front while the runner advanced?
Or
B. Pitch in dirt the catcher still has the requirement to make a throwing play.
*And be able to still get these outs?!

imo
There is and can be
an expectation to throw runners out regardless of pitch in the dirt.
The expectation is on the performance of the catching position, regardless of mechanic choice.
 
Last edited:
Jul 5, 2016
652
63
Or when batting, do you swing only at strikes (and have problems with the umpire's idea of the zone differs from yours) or do you hit anything you can. We have all seen some pretty amazing hits on pitches that weren't even close to the strike zone.
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
imo this is an important topic for people to consider regarding the catching position.
While there are different perspectives to approach, there is still the measuring stick of performance on the field!
Simply some things to consider~

Regarding the question of catchers responsibility on dirt pitches.
And specifically blocking
(letting pitch hit the catcher)
vs. Fielding dirt pitches.

*Acknowledging~
Different approaches in phylosophy and mechanics,
Brings this topic of discussion.

How do you view the responsibility of being a catcher.
*With a runner on base...
*And the pitch is in the dirt...

A. Is it enough the catcher keeps the ball in front while the runner advanced?
Or
B. Pitch in dirt the catcher still has the requirement to make a throwing play.
*And be able to still get these outs?!

imo
There is and can be
an expectation to throw runners out regardless of pitch in the dirt.
The expectation is on the performance of the catching position, regardless of mechanic choice.

Heck, I want her throwing runners out whether the ball is in the dirt or over her head!
 
Jul 22, 2015
851
93
imo this is an important topic for people to consider regarding the catching position.
While there are different perspectives to approach, there is still the measuring stick of performance on the field!
Simply some things to consider~

Regarding the question of catchers responsibility on dirt pitches.
And specifically blocking
(letting pitch hit the catcher)
vs. Fielding dirt pitches.

*Acknowledging~
Different approaches in phylosophy and mechanics,
Brings this topic of discussion.

How do you view the responsibility of being a catcher.
*With a runner on base...
*And the pitch is in the dirt...

A. Is it enough the catcher keeps the ball in front while the runner advanced?
Or
B. Pitch in dirt the catcher still has the requirement to make a throwing play.
*And be able to still get these outs?!

imo
There is and can be
an expectation to throw runners out regardless of pitch in the dirt.
The expectation is on the performance of the catching position, regardless of mechanic choice.
Obviously, I want the best of both worlds, but my focus is always on the ball staying in front of the catcher. If my catcher doesn't need to drop and block to accomplish this then that is a big plus, but I don't want her trying to reach and pick balls that end up getting to the backstop.
 

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
Obviously, I want the best of both worlds, but my focus is always on the ball staying in front of the catcher. If my catcher doesn't need to drop and block to accomplish this then that is a big plus, but I don't want her trying to reach and pick balls that end up getting to the backstop.
Hmmm so your GOAL is not controlling the runners?

? Is blocking to keep the ball in front enough if the runners are still stealing bases?
? Or still required to throw runners out?
.....

Btw catchers can still get behind the ball even if we intend on using our glove!
And
Catchers who block doesnt mean the ball stops dead infront of them.
Often bounces away a bit and even a lot.

The topic is regardless of techniques.
Using either mechanics.
The responsibility to throw runners out on dirt pitches!...or not?
 
Last edited:
Jul 22, 2015
851
93
Hmmm so your GOAL is not controlling the runners?

? Is blocking to keep the ball in front enough if the runners are still stealing bases?
? Or still required to throw runners out?
.....

Btw catchers can still get behind the ball even if we intend on using our glove!
And
Catchers who block doesnt mean the ball stops dead infront of them.
Often bounces away a bit and even a lot.

The topic is regardless of techniques.
Using either mechanics.
The responsibility to throw runners out on dirt pitches!...or not?
If the runner was a base-stealing threat, then the odds of throwing out the runner on a ball in the dirt are minimal anyway. I've never seen a catcher who was able to consistently both shift in front of the ball and pick hops at the same time without leaving huge gaps for the ball to get through. If it's blocked correctly (assuming it's not just a terrible pitch) it shouldn't go far at all, and really should fall right in front. I'll trade ball in front and one base vs. ball to the fence and potential for 2 bases all day. Then if it's happening often I'll have a talk with my pitcher ;)
 

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
If the runner was a base-stealing threat, then the odds of throwing out the runner on a ball in the dirt are minimal anyway. I've never seen a catcher who was able to consistently both shift in front of the ball and pick hops at the same time without leaving huge gaps for the ball to get through. If it's blocked correctly (assuming it's not just a terrible pitch) it shouldn't go far at all, and really should fall right in front. I'll trade ball in front and one base vs. ball to the fence and potential for 2 bases all day. Then if it's happening often I'll have a talk with my pitcher ;)
Nice to read people perspectives! Appreciate discussion!
Hmmm ? Your catcher blocking is not expected to throw the runner out.
So dirt pitches runners getting one base is ok. What age bracket?

Really you have never seen catchers shift getting behind the ball to field and throw dirt pitches?
 
Last edited:
May 7, 2015
842
93
SoCal
IMO, a properly blocked ball should come to rest within arms reach of the catcher. Since the runner most often leaves when the ball is in the dirt (as opposed to a straight steal), there's usually time for the catcher to pick up the ball and throw the runner out.

Now if the ball comes to rest on the glove side of the catcher or farther than an arms length, the extra time usually results in a runner being safe.

DD is firmly in the camp of drop and block and the CS from balls in the dirt is fairly common.
 
Apr 28, 2014
2,316
113
Balls in the dirt with runners on base are a sign of a pitcher with a mechanical issue IMO
 
Last edited:

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