Catching makes you slower?

[Seattlecoach]

A couple years ago I was told catching made you a slower runner. While it was a nice excuse to explain my below average speed I didnt't quite buy it. Hadn't given the idea much thought until this weekend and opposing team's coach mentioned the same thing. Personally, I'm far from convinced but still a little curious... Does anyone know the science behind this?

 

[riseball]

Throwing the BS flag on this one.

 

[riseball]

I think it comes from the days of "Put the big girl behind the plate." Times have changed and you want an athlete back there.

 

[coach james]

Catching builds ridiculous leg, thigh, and butt muscles.... if I'm not mistaken, those muscles are essential in running???? I too have a BS flag on this.
When I build a team, my catcher and ss are typically the most athletic kids on the team.

 

[guero_gordo]

DD is quick behind the plate, she can run all day, but isn't much of a sprinter.

 

[KCM]

We got a girl that is on the large size but mainly all legs that catches for our 16U team and guess what she is #3 for speed out of 12 players. I say she is 5' 6" pushing 180lbs or slightly more.

 

[Josh Greer]

I could see some truth to this. If a courtesy runner is put in for the catcher all of the time, they will never develop proper running mechanics.

 

[riseball]

Wouldn't it be best to work on proper running mechanics in practice?

 

[PA SB Dad]

A couple years ago I was told catching made you a slower runner. While it was a nice excuse to explain my below average speed I didnt't quite buy it. Hadn't given the idea much thought until this weekend and opposing team's coach mentioned the same thing. Personally, I'm far from convinced but still a little curious... Does anyone know the science behind this?

This is entirely based on the fact that THOUSANDS of bucket dads each year are certainly much slower at the end of their catching careers than at the beginning. The corollary to this is of course catching also makes you go bald!

 

[riseball]

I found that it also leads to weight gain, going more frequently, and a sarcastic sense of humor .