Coaching catching

[chazbz1]

...you should never place yourself in the base runners path while waiting for the ball. Allowing a catcher to do this is just bad coaching, end off story.

Keeping the catcher off the plate was MTCoach's main point on this thread. I am glad we are all in agreement here...

Three years of playing catcher and your DD has never lost a low ball at her feet that she couldn't locate? That's pretty amazing since you can usually see it happen a couple of times a weekend.

We rarely see low pitches getting lost. Properly executed blocking techniques keep the ball in front of the catcher for the majority of pitches.

So let's answer the question, what would you say to a girl playing second base who jumped head first in front of a slide to make a tag?

I see this as comparing apples to oranges... Comparing second base to home plate in softball is like comparing a double to a home run on a date. The only commonality is the goal of scoring (Cue "Meatloaf" about now)
First you have the defensive player playing second base... They are on the same side of the base as the runner and approach the base from the first base side, (same as runner) When the ball is hit and they are not fielding the ball directly, they either cover first (bunt) cover second, or cover the cut. Depending on the circumstances they will back up throws as well. Since they are closer to the bag than the runner... they are on the bag waiting for the ball or the runner. Plus the majority of the time the second base player is completing a force out at that base. There is rarely a time that the second base player needs to make the tag. There should be no reason to jump head first in front of a slide. This is the physical portion, now you have the mental thinking of covering second compared to home. You give up a single, no harm done... they have a looonnnngggg way to go to make it home. They can't score on another single without a defensive brainfart. The runner reaches second, well no one hurt, but we gotta be more careful now. The runner could get home on a single. When third base is given up... the pressure is really on. We got to keep the ball on the ground and make the play to not give up the run. Still, no run has yet to score..... The runner advancing to home now has only one person left to stop her. The pressure is all on the catcher now to prevent that runner from scoring. The majority of the time this is a tag play, not a force. The catcher's desperation to make the tag and get the out can easily be compounded by an off-target throw, causing her to move from her coverage point. The very act of tagging means that your arms must stretch out... your shoulders and head (being connected to the arms) are forced to follow. My thinking here is that the catcher will make every effort to make that tag. Unless your fielder makes the perfect throw every time... and your catcher is disciplined enough to set up and tag flawlessly every time and no other outside factors come into play. The risk of injury isn't worth the risk. Masks should be left on.

 

[interested18]

But once the ball is hit the catcher is playing a base, just like three other girls on that field, who are not wearing helmets, chest protectors or shin guards.

Ok so next time a girl is sliding into home make sure your catcher takes off her shin guards first so she can move faster because hey she is just another fielder right?

 

[changeupskill]

My thoughts are; if you have it on anyway, why not use it to your advantage?

 

[shockcoach]

...The ASA rules states that the runner must slide to avoid collision....
Thanks,
MTCoach

Not quite. Here is the rule. Supplemental Rule 13.

13. CRASHING INTO A FIELDER WITH THE BALL. (INTERFERENCE) In an effort to prevent injury and protect a defensive player attempting to make a play on a runner, a runner must be called out when they remain on their feet and crash into a defensive player who is holding the ball and waiting to apply a tag. To prevent the out ruling, the runner may slide, jump over the defender holding the ball, go around the defender or return to the previous base touched. If the act is determined to be flagrant, the offender is ejected. A runner may slide into the fielder.

A. When a runner is called out for crashing into a fielder holding the ball, the ball becomes dead. Each runner must return to the last base touched at the time of the crash as this constitutes interference.

B. When, as in A above, the runner crashes into a fielder holding the ball before being put out and, in the judgment of the umpire, it was an attempt to break up an obvious double play, the immediate succeeding runner is also called out. Rule 8, Section 7 J.

C. When a crash occurs after the runner is called out, the runner closest to home plate is also out. Rule 8, Section 7 P.

D. When an obstructed runner crashes into a fielder holding the ball, the obstruction is ignored and the runner is out. (Rule 8, Section 7 Q) This type of award, Rule 8, Section 5 B (2 and 3), does not give the runner the right to violate Rule 8, Section 7 Q.

E. When a runner runs outside the three-foot lane to avoid a crash with a defender holding the ball and waiting to apply a tag, the runner should be called out.

F. When a defensive player is fielding a thrown ball and the flight of the ball carries or draws them into the path of the base runner, it is not a crash.

G. When the ball, runner and the defensive player arrive at the same time and place, and contact is made, the umpire should not invoke the crash rule, interference, or obstruction. This is merely incidental contact, or what some persons commonly call, “a wreck.”

NOTE: If the ball does not enter dead ball territory in either E or F, the ball remains live.

 

[lawdawg]

My middle DD played this weekend with her new 12u team. Most of the girls are 10 and this will be their first year in 12u. We picked up a girl who pitched and played 3b. Three times this weekend she tagged girls out 1 at 3b and 2 at plate. On each of these she blocked the plate/base with her folded-lead leg and stopped the runner from touching the plate. Her dad (who never played ball a day in his life) was bragging about teaching her this technique. On 2 of the plays the umpire could have called the runner safe for blocking the base without the ball - he didn't. The third was bang/bang. She has several bruises/scuffs on her shin and these girls play with rubber cleats. This kid will be crippled before HS if she continues this. An out is great but not worth that, imo. If she stays with us I can see a conflict when we break her of that habit.