New to Softball... Advice?

Yep, it's another one of those 'I'm new to softball' things. Please bear with me, as I'm just a everyday noob lol. So as the title says, I'm new to softball (and also to this forum), so if I say or do anything wrong, please forgive me! (and hopefully I'm posting in the right category..)
So let's get started!
I'm a 5'1 (does height even matter?) girl who's 14. I have absolutely no skills in softball and I only understand the general gist of softball, but would still like to play. I haven't found a team or lessons yet, but I am determined to by the end of the school year(hopefully my athletic skills are good enough). I really want to play catcher, but I have like no analytical skills whatsoever and I'm not that good at thinking up with plans quickly (like what type pitch or whatever the pitcher should throw based on the situation on the field)(<<<< that's not only baseball right??). Can I still be a catcher if I don't have those skills? I REALLY want to play that position, but I guess it's whatever the coach says xD.
Also, does personality matter? I know that to be a catcher you have to know your pitcher well, but I'm not really social..I'm very shy and awkward when I first meet someone. I'm also not really confident, so have any tips to boost confidence and pressure? I play an instrument and have done some solos (shaking the whole time), so I guess that helps, but I'm still not very outgoing.
And about the gear-- what do I need? And what brand should I buy? I haven't bought any yet because I'm not sure...I'm looking for some gear for beginners that's not that expensive )
I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time if you read this, but this is the last question, I promise (of course I have like thousands more, but I'll go do some more watching and research >). Any tips in general or videos I should watch? I've watched some games and stuff, but I'm relying on the announcer to know what's going on lol..For an example, have any tips about squatting as a catcher and how to prevent knee injuries catchers often receive after playing the position so land? Or like any workouts I can do to help boost reaction time and peripheral vision? Thanks so much!! (omg this is so long. Im sorryyy)

If you really want to be a catcher I would advise getting a copy of the NECC (New England Catchers Camp) DVD as a starting point. I would not worry too much about pitchers as your coach will probably call pitches, so you just need to know the signs and catch a lot of practice. Ask your pitchers if you can catch their pitching lessons.

Height does not matter but you need to be quick, not fast, and have a good arm.

Probably bad but usually the coaches call the pitch in SB so so not worry about that.

Interaction with the P is important. Most the time it is just stopping the game to give the P a little time to think. I do not think they talk anything about SB, I am convinced they are comparing the best looking boys in the stands.

As the father of a 14yo daughter, I commend you for trying something new! This is an age when many girls are afraid or hesitant to step out of their comfort zone and try new things. So no matter how you do, you've already won!

Regardless of the position you want to play, you must be able to throw and catch. Get out there everyday and play catch. Hopefully you have friends, siblings, or parents who will throw with you. Don't get discouraged, it takes time and repetition.
You need to also learn how to swing a bat. If you can get a tee, some softballs(or even plastic balls), and a net, then you need to get in swings every day. And get some instruction to help you learn the correct way. Hitting a fastpitch softball is one of the most difficult things to do in sports, so don't get discouraged. Start with a tee, progress to side/front toss, and eventually some live pitching.

Have fun and think in terms of small steps for progress and improvement. You didn't learn to run in a day, you won't be an all-star catcher in a day, or maybe even a couple seasons, either. But have fun playing; and don't ever forget whatever inspired you to want to play, remember that is the reason you do it. I'll be honest, it will be hard. But things worth doing usually are! good luck!

To echo what [MENTION=12317]#7sDad[/MENTION] said ...the biggest thing anybody first starting out can do is play catch, it seems simple and easy but it is very important to develop coordination.

Also as others have said don't get discouraged too quickly you can't be a superstar on the first day. If you can find a local clinic to attend that might help give you a jump start or if your local little league or parks and rec dept is accepting sign ups in your age group you might give those a try, you probably won't play catcher to begin with but you can start developing the basic skills you need to play the game.

Good Luck

You will never know until you try. I had a girl who never played 1st base until I put her there in her 2nd year at 14U! She is now being recruited for DII/DIII as a 1st baseman even though she wasn't sure she could play there!

catcher is the toughest position on the field, you have to know where everyone is every play and relay information to your team in the field.

What level are you going to play? ARe you joining a local rec team? are you in high school? are you trying to join a travel team?

What ever you do just dont give up. with no experience you might not get a ton of playing time but don't let that make you quit, use it as fuel to work harder.

As someone mentioned concentrate on the basics of throwing and catching, for playing catcher find some youtube videos on blocking and framing. Try to get 1 or 2 hitting lessons at least and make sure to right down the basic steps you are taught and practice them over and over. You can get a piece o PVC pipe and go over your mechanics in the mirror even if you don't have a tee.

For equipment, catchers gear isn't cheap. You might be able to find some used gear on ebay and there is always used gear at play it again sports. At this point I don't think you should invest a ton of money in new equipment until you have some time in and you are 100% sure this is what you want to do.

Used catchers gear, used bat, even a used gloves will get the job done. I just donated all our old equipment to the stay in softball charity or I would have offered it to you.

It's good to try something new. My oldest daughter started playing softball at the beginning of 7th grade, and by 9th grade she was the best 9th grade player in her high school. She quit after that, but in the meantime she taught her youngest sister how to play, and now her youngest sister is a good travel player.

AND, it is never too late to start. The local college (U of Wisconsin) sent 4 of its graduates to the 2012 Olympics. All four of them went to the Olympics in sports they started in college. 3 were rowers who never rowed until college, one was a triathlete who swam and did track in HS, and left the swim team for the track team in college. She picked up competitive biking in college, so that was it for the triathlon. Also, my kids knew two different people who got full athletic scholarships to big name schools for sports they started as sophomores in high school. One of them got a football scholarship to Pittsburgh, the other got a women's rowing scholarship to Wisconsin.

I hope you are starting in some rec league or Little League. They expect new players, and are more willing to work with new players. Let the coach know you are interested in catching. Trust me on this, being the father of a pitcher. No team EVER has enough catchers.

Also, JAD gave you excellent advice about going with pitchers to their lessons. Sometimes my daughter has taken her catcher with her to lessons, and that has been fantastic. Both the pitcher and the catcher learn a lot. If you let pitchers know you are happy to practice with them, you will make some friends really fast.

Not much to add other than I think that perhaps you don't give yourself quite enough credit. You say you aren't confident, yet you are willing and determined to take this effort of becoming a catcher on and you have even set a goal for yourself to do it by the end of the school year. I'd say you have a great deal of confidence based on what you've told us, and I'd be very proud to have a girl like you on my team.

Just remember what it was that made you go out and do this, and keep letting that confidence shine through in everything you do. Oh ....and, make sure you surround yourself with people who share that confidence in you and and are committed to helping you develop it. No "Debbie Downers" allowed!

I want to say welcome to our favorite sport first off!

But as another person here said already… catching is a hard position to learn and takes a lot of work. I know from experience… I just started learning the position about three weeks ago and have my share of triumphs and defeats already. I don't want to discourage you because I have had a great amount of improvement in those three weeks the position has been testing me.

When I started, I was learning the position from my head coach, an assistant that was a catcher and my varsity level baseball catcher, brother. I also started watching stuff on youtube about catching in softball. Jenn Schroder is one I watch a lot of on there. I've gotten a bunch of tips from her that I've incorporated into my game. There is a couple of really good clinics on Fastpitch TV's channel that applies to both the catchers position as well as hitting.

As for equipment… I knew switching positions from pitcher to catcher, my change would be long lasting. I know too that there could be an opportunity I could be called on to pitch. So I keep a Mitt in my bag for pitching. For catching, I use a Vinci Forsus catchers mitt I bought from Dicks sporting goods website and had it shipped to store. I got them to break it in for me for a small fee so the glove was immediately usable. For a bat, I use a Demarini bat that my dad bought at Dunhams. My catchers gear is a mishmash of different brands since I'm only 4'10" tall. My helmet/facemask is Easton. My chest protecter and shin guards are Under Armour along with my cleats. I also have a thumb guard I wear to keep my thumb from going backwards as well as knee savers to help keep myself more comfortable in the crouch.

Dont go beating yourself up if you make mistakes. I've made a lot of them. On a personal note… playing catcher has helped me in more ways than I can imagine since I started playing. I started being shy, timid and quiet. Being a catcher requires you to find your voice. To be able to yell to relay information of the situation to your fielders. You gain the trust of your pitchers that you have their back. You gain confidence in your abilities and yourself as you improve. But I haven't had more fun than I have had as a catcher. I wish you the best. You have the voice of Rob Schnider in all those cheesy Adam Sandler movies telling you "you can do it". Listen to those voices and do it.