Just for fun catcher question

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May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Proper receiving mechanics cannot be overlooked enough. Good arms are a dime a dozen. A great receiver will make balls strikes and more importantly keep strikes strikes. I have seen many catchers that don't beat the ball to the spot, let the ball take their mitt out of the zone and reach for pitches instead keeping their mitt inside their shoulders.

Fast transition and solid feet work can trump a good arm.

Truth!

It's pretty easy to make a strike look like a ball. It's much harder to keep strikes looking like strikes.

A catcher we had last year (12U) had a very mediocre arm, but her transfer and release time was excellent. Her pop time regularly beat another girl with a good arm, but slow feet. She was deceptive. On her throw-downs at the start of each inning, the opposing coaches saw an arching throw to 2B, from a kid who didn't look all that athletic. She threw out a lot of runners.
 
Last edited:
Jan 7, 2014
972
0
Western New York
I could care less if the catcher can throw out a runner...lots of MLB catchers have panzy arms...33.8% toss out rate from Gary Sanchez in 2017

If the catcher has to block more than 2-3 times in a game...come see me - their pitching coach...that's on me...ideally, the blocks are of no consequence.

Learn to catch the OUTSIDE of the ball with a quiet upper body...it is that simple...CP
 
Jun 18, 2013
322
18
Learn to catch the OUTSIDE of the ball with a quiet upper body...it is that simple...CP

This is the biggest thing I am working on with my DD right now. She is just starting with a new team and had to catch for the #1 pitcher without ever seeing it before this weekend. She struggled with getting on the outside and with finding the pocket because this girl throws much faster than she is used to. Nothing else matters if she can't keep strikes over the plate.
 
Oct 1, 2014
2,218
113
USA
I could care less if the catcher can throw out a runner...lots of MLB catchers have panzy arms...33.8% toss out rate from Gary Sanchez in 2017

If the catcher has to block more than 2-3 times in a game...come see me - their pitching coach...that's on me...ideally, the blocks are of no consequence.

Learn to catch the OUTSIDE of the ball with a quiet upper body...it is that simple...CP

Disagree. While catching the outside of the ball with a quiet upper body is major....the rest of the catcher's duties are way too important to discount like that. And, given the rotation of various pitchers throughout a game (let alone over a tourney or series) you will have pitchers missing spots and blocking skills will be valuable. Throwing runners out? If you've got that weapon...use it. And then, all of the little, subtle things that a catcher does throughout the game...well, a good catcher does make it all look simple.
 

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