Indiana vs LSU

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Nov 4, 2015
320
43
Did anyone else watch the Indiana vs LSU game from this weekend? Was streaming the replay and really enjoyed watching how Indiana played. Something I didn't enjoy was the catcher for Indiana. She would spread her arms apart and slap her glove just before the pitcher was releasing the ball. The announcers even made a comment early in the game about it. Never seen it done, and seems to be done to distract or irritate the batter. Seemed a little bit bush league to me. Is there something with this that I am missing?
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Did anyone else watch the Indiana vs LSU game from this weekend? Was streaming the replay and really enjoyed watching how Indiana played. Something I didn't enjoy was the catcher for Indiana. She would spread her arms apart and slap her glove just before the pitcher was releasing the ball. The announcers even made a comment early in the game about it. Never seen it done, and seems to be done to distract or irritate the batter. Seemed a little bit bush league to me. Is there something with this that I am missing?

Oregon catchers have been doing a mitt-smack before each pitch for years. My understanding from talking with a former Oregon catcher is that it's about firing up the pitcher rather than distracting the batter. With former Duck catcher, Gwen Svekis, now on the coaching staff at Indiana, it doesn't surprise me that the catcher is doing a mitt-smack.
 
Nov 4, 2015
320
43
Thanks for the responses. It gives me an idea of why they are doing it. Even with the good reason, I just don't like it. The players in the field doing it are not really an issue. Just don't like the idea of the catcher doing it. As a batter or an umpire, I wouldn't like it. I'm getting older, so maybe it's just the optics of it that bother me.
 
Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
My DD has been the mitt smack since 8th grade. She is a senior now. As was said before, it's kind of like let's get ready. Boom. I bet the batters hate it even more when a called strike hits the mitt and makes that smacking noise!
 

TMD

Feb 18, 2016
433
43
I was watching the replay of the game last night and immediately bumped on the same thing. I'm sure it can be distracting, but I didn't see anyone on LSU complaining about it. I'd think it would be more distracting for the pitcher with all of that flailing going on back there (although I imagine they get used to it). I'm not a pitcher or catcher's dad, but my thought was if the catcher is doing that as the pitcher is going into her motion, isn't she not giving her a target?
 
Apr 23, 2014
389
43
East Jabib
If LSU could have that fan who is constantly whooping it up all game jabberjawing through 7 innings, I suppose their opponent can do whatever they want without complaint.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
When I played high school baseball, my parents rarely had an opportunity to see me play. When they were able to make a game, it was a nice treat for me. In some cases after the game, my mom would ask "did you hear me cheering for you?". Of course I said "yes" and thanked her, but the truth is that I didn't hear it at all. I rarely heard anything while I was playing. I was so focused on the game itself, everything else was background noise. I'm quite sure if a catcher did this while I was batting, it would not have phased me in any way.

DD and I recently had a conversation about this, and she agrees. She rarely hears anything while she is playing. She is focused on the game.
 
May 21, 2014
155
28
Oregon catchers have been doing a mitt-smack before each pitch for years. My understanding from talking with a former Oregon catcher is that it's about firing up the pitcher rather than distracting the batter. With former Duck catcher, Gwen Svekis, now on the coaching staff at Indiana, it doesn't surprise me that the catcher is doing a mitt-smack.


They did this last year before Svekis was on staff, fyi.

It's annoying. And I find it hard to believe it's "firing up" the pitcher mid pitch when it's being done. Clearly it's to create some type of distraction to the hitter.

Can't believe no one brought up the way they lead off.... a 3 point stance? really? It doesn't bother me, but what's next? Seems like softball is turning into "what gimmick can we think of and try next?"
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,473
Members
21,443
Latest member
sstop28
Top