When should it come off?
Catcher Myth #27 Catcher's Should take their Mask Off...
- Thread starter chazbz1
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When should it come off?
Here we go again eh RB? Maybe it should come off when the ball is not in play and the catcher is talking to her team?
DD's helmet stays on. I coach on her team, so it's not an issue.
DS wears glasses. He tells any coach that asks him to rip off the mask that his glasses fly off with it. It's easier than arguing. But hey, he's also had a coach tell him to catch with his thumb down. He's been the recipient of a dislocated thumb in the past. I told him to nod in agreement, and catch the way he's been taught.
I've found that the interest in catcher technique/training by most coaches that we've dealt with is fleeting.
I've also watched catchers that have been so delayed fumbling with the mask that they've missed plays they would've had time to make. Then everyone sits there waiting for the mask to be put on again before play can resume.
DS wears glasses. He tells any coach that asks him to rip off the mask that his glasses fly off with it. It's easier than arguing. But hey, he's also had a coach tell him to catch with his thumb down. He's been the recipient of a dislocated thumb in the past. I told him to nod in agreement, and catch the way he's been taught.
I've found that the interest in catcher technique/training by most coaches that we've dealt with is fleeting.
I've also watched catchers that have been so delayed fumbling with the mask that they've missed plays they would've had time to make. Then everyone sits there waiting for the mask to be put on again before play can resume.
There are even more people that listen to Jennie Finch and Michelle Smith.
I don't follow either of them. Do they talk about catching very often?
ROFLMAO!! That is perfect Eric!
There are few absolutes in this game and keeping the mask on at all times under all circumstances is not one of them. Do not confuse style or arguably a best practice with an absolute.
No humor was intended. It was a serious question.
I don't have an issue with a catcher taking off her mask on a high pop-up in foul territory, with clear space around her. However, the reality of most of the fields we play on is that there isn't a lot of open space in foul territory, which pretty much eliminates that option as realistic. If the ball is anywhere in play in fair territory, the mask needs to be on her head. I would agree this is best practice. Same as a P wearing a face mask.
Well said. Having a top player being followed by a lot of people can be a blessing or a curse. If they dispense good, solid, actionable information that is great. But some like Finch and Smith are prime examples of what can go wrong. Some on this board promote keeping a mask on at all times as an absolute. If that is the case with Schro it would be unfortunate. When you watch the best of the best (Monroe, Posey, Molina, etc.) you will find that keeping the mask on at all times is certainly not an absolute. As such the words like "never" and "always" should not be used.
I'm a "mask on" teacher. I want the catchers I teach to do it that way because I strongly believe it's a better when all the factors are considered.
I agree that a lot can be learned from watching the best (MLB catchers). However, many of them also have bad habits - like really poor throwing hand protection - that shouldn't be used as an example of the right way to do things.
Who is Monroe?
