What does a field general need to do?

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May 15, 2016
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DD1 is beginning to come into her own behind the plate. This past summer she was aggressive with throwing down, praised for her framing and blocking by opposing coaches and even some umpires, but was relatively quiet behind the plate. Today was the first time I heard her yelling "up" each time the ball was hit in the air. I chuckled when she yelled up to a pop up that was hers. She was calling out the base for the cut-offs to line up. It was like she was a different kid, and it was great to watch.

What else should she be calling out, or doing to be the 'field general'?
 

softgabby

Gear Empress
Mar 10, 2016
1,073
83
Just behind home plate
DD1 is beginning to come into her own behind the plate. This past summer she was aggressive with throwing down, praised for her framing and blocking by opposing coaches and even some umpires, but was relatively quiet behind the plate. Today was the first time I heard her yelling "up" each time the ball was hit in the air. I chuckled when she yelled up to a pop up that was hers. She was calling out the base for the cut-offs to line up. It was like she was a different kid, and it was great to watch.

What else should she be calling out, or doing to be the 'field general'?

I'm kinda the field general for my team. So...I think I can help out. I was reading your post and I can't help but notice how well your daughter is coming along in her catcher skills. Onto what I do as a field general. I'm still learning...but...I feel like I'm still getting better at the position.

First, I'm always communicating the current situation to my fielders to keep them abreast of what is going on. If we are facing bases loaded and two out, I'm yelling "bases loaded, two out! Let's pick it up"! Or if there is only two outs and no one on, I'll yell "Alright, two down! Let's keep it going"!

If I need to throw quick down to third or first, I'll yell what direction I'm going to be throwing the ball from (ie. inside or outside).

I try to communicate to my fielders when I'm trying to field a pop-up. Like, if I'm trying to catch a ball in foul territory...I'll yell "I got it"!

If I see a runner trying to steal second, I'll yell "duck" so, the pitcher can duck and not get hit by the throw.

These are some of the things I do as a field general.
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
I have my catchers yelling out the plays in between batters. Something along the lines of 1 out no one on they'll yell, "1 down, infield go one outfield shoot 2." They're my traffic cops on bunts yelling which player should field the ball and where to go with it after. They'll also be yelling where the players should be throwing the ball once they field it or catch it from another player as well as calling out the line for cut line ups, when to cut and where to go with it after. Another thing a good catcher will do is to keep an eye on the baserunners. If they get too big a lead looking for a delay steal, mine will yell, 'Big Lead! Big lead!' and then which way they want the Pitcher to move in the circle (back, front, inside or outside) to cut down on the throwing distance to the base. A well executed throw back with the pitcher being at the edge of the circle will normally get the out if they go. Lastly, they'll be yelling out their own assignments as well. Scenario: runner on 1st, 1 out. They'll be yelling, " 1 down, infield try to catch the lead at 2 and outfield shoot 3! I got 3 on the bunt!"
 
Last edited:
May 15, 2016
926
18
I have my catchers yelling out the plays in between batters. Something along the lines of 1 out no one on they'll yell, "1 down, infield go one outfield shoot 2." They're my traffic cops on bunts yelling which player should field the ball and where to go with it after. They'll also be yelling where the players should be throwing the ball once they field it or catch it from another player as well as calling out the line for cut line ups, when to cut and where to go with it after. Another thing a good catcher will do is to keep an eye on the baserunners. If they get too big a lead looking for a delay steal, mine will yell, 'Big Lead! Big lead!' and then which way they want the Pitcher to move in the circle (back, front, inside or outside) to cut down on the throwing distance to the base. A well executed throw back with the pitcher being at the edge of the circle will normally get the out if they go. Lastly, they'll be yelling out their own assignments as well. Scenario: runner on 1st, 1 out. They'll be yelling, " 1 down, infield try to catch the lead at 2 and outfield shoot 3! I got 3 on the bunt!"

Lots here to work with, thanks.
 

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