halskinner
Banned
- May 7, 2008
- 2,649
- 0
I posted this in the new Mental board but thought it might be helpful here also
Hal
THE PERCEPTION OF THE THREAT ã 1999,2001
When there is a runner on base, they are threatened by two things; the ball and the person in control of the ball at that moment. Tag that base runner with the ball and they are out. The ball will dictate, to an extent, what the runner will do next.
When a defensive fielder is in possession of that ball, that fielder is also a threat and part of the same equation. They are perceived to be a bigger threat because they control the ball.
Let's say there is a runner on third base. The pitch is thrown and the catcher now has the ball. The runner is standing four steps off of third base because the ball is a good distance away. The runner does not feel greatly threatened.
The catcher stands up, turns her head and looks at the runner. The runner takes a step back toward 3rd base because the runner has perceived the threat to be larger now.
The catcher takes a step forward and now turns her body towards the runner. The runner now takes another step back towards 3rd base. The runner sees this to be an even greater threat than before.
The catcher now draws back her throwing arm and takes a step towards third base. The runner takes a quick step back towards 3rd base. The runner is now one step away from 3rd base, close enough to 3rd base to feel comfortable but too far from home to score on a throw to 3rd or the pitcher.
This is a situation that happens many times every game and seldom does anyone pay attention to it or use it
to their benefit. If you are the catcher, when you have the ball in your hand, YOU ARE THE THREAT.
If you are going to throw at the runner you have two choices;
1. Make the runner feel as threatened as possible. Go through what I have just described, either slowly or faster, then throw the ball. It is unlikely you will get the out.
2. Do not make the runner feel threatened, throw the ball and catch them off the bag.
Now let's go over what the catcher did that made that runner feel more threatened;
A. The catcher turned her head and looked at the runner.
B. The catcher turned her body towards the runner.
C. The catcher took a step towards 3rd base and drew back her arm to throw.
Each of these things caused the runner to feel more threatened and to retreat back towards safety. It shortened the runner's comfortable safety zone and decreased the catcher's chances of throwing the runner out.
When the catcher has the ball, (or any fielder for that matter), the runner feels threatened. However, if the catcher is not turned towards them or looking directly at them, the runner does not feel anywhere near as threatened. They are more at ease and relaxed.
The runner does not perceive the catcher as being anywhere near as big a threat.
Please understand that some young players, catchers, may not be able to do this effectively. It takes a strong and quick throwing arm. It also takes practice, a lot of practice. So, don't get discouraged when you do not immediately do this well. Keep practicing because it will definitely be worth it.
The pitcher throws the ball. The catcher stands up and takes a quick glance at 3rd base. Seeing the runner about 4 steps off of 3rd the catcher turns her head back towards the pitcher. The catcher comes forward a step and while still facing and looking at the pitcher, draws back and QUICKLY fires sidearm across her body to 3rd base WITHOUT TURNING TOWARDS 3RD BASE until the last instant. Everything the catcher does must look exactly like she is simply returning the ball back to the pitcher
When you keep the perception of the threat as small as possible, the runner will keep their distance off the bag to the maximum, most of the time.
If you are a catcher that cannot do this for whatever reason, modify this tactic. Practice coming up, glancing at 3rd, turning back toward the pitcher, come out, draw back and in mid-step quickly lean forward and fire the ball AS you are turning to face 3rd base. I repeat, fire the ball AS you are turning to face 3rd base. Be prepared to catch yourself as this will and should throw you off balance if done correctly.
Keep the advance warning to the runners down to a minimum and you will be much more effective.
Do this a few times early in the game. After that, a quick little glance will send them scurrying back to safety.
Remember, this will be just as effective on runners taking a lead at 1st base too. Go for the lead runner when you can.
Hal
THE PERCEPTION OF THE THREAT ã 1999,2001
When there is a runner on base, they are threatened by two things; the ball and the person in control of the ball at that moment. Tag that base runner with the ball and they are out. The ball will dictate, to an extent, what the runner will do next.
When a defensive fielder is in possession of that ball, that fielder is also a threat and part of the same equation. They are perceived to be a bigger threat because they control the ball.
Let's say there is a runner on third base. The pitch is thrown and the catcher now has the ball. The runner is standing four steps off of third base because the ball is a good distance away. The runner does not feel greatly threatened.
The catcher stands up, turns her head and looks at the runner. The runner takes a step back toward 3rd base because the runner has perceived the threat to be larger now.
The catcher takes a step forward and now turns her body towards the runner. The runner now takes another step back towards 3rd base. The runner sees this to be an even greater threat than before.
The catcher now draws back her throwing arm and takes a step towards third base. The runner takes a quick step back towards 3rd base. The runner is now one step away from 3rd base, close enough to 3rd base to feel comfortable but too far from home to score on a throw to 3rd or the pitcher.
This is a situation that happens many times every game and seldom does anyone pay attention to it or use it
to their benefit. If you are the catcher, when you have the ball in your hand, YOU ARE THE THREAT.
If you are going to throw at the runner you have two choices;
1. Make the runner feel as threatened as possible. Go through what I have just described, either slowly or faster, then throw the ball. It is unlikely you will get the out.
2. Do not make the runner feel threatened, throw the ball and catch them off the bag.
Now let's go over what the catcher did that made that runner feel more threatened;
A. The catcher turned her head and looked at the runner.
B. The catcher turned her body towards the runner.
C. The catcher took a step towards 3rd base and drew back her arm to throw.
Each of these things caused the runner to feel more threatened and to retreat back towards safety. It shortened the runner's comfortable safety zone and decreased the catcher's chances of throwing the runner out.
When the catcher has the ball, (or any fielder for that matter), the runner feels threatened. However, if the catcher is not turned towards them or looking directly at them, the runner does not feel anywhere near as threatened. They are more at ease and relaxed.
The runner does not perceive the catcher as being anywhere near as big a threat.
Please understand that some young players, catchers, may not be able to do this effectively. It takes a strong and quick throwing arm. It also takes practice, a lot of practice. So, don't get discouraged when you do not immediately do this well. Keep practicing because it will definitely be worth it.
The pitcher throws the ball. The catcher stands up and takes a quick glance at 3rd base. Seeing the runner about 4 steps off of 3rd the catcher turns her head back towards the pitcher. The catcher comes forward a step and while still facing and looking at the pitcher, draws back and QUICKLY fires sidearm across her body to 3rd base WITHOUT TURNING TOWARDS 3RD BASE until the last instant. Everything the catcher does must look exactly like she is simply returning the ball back to the pitcher
When you keep the perception of the threat as small as possible, the runner will keep their distance off the bag to the maximum, most of the time.
If you are a catcher that cannot do this for whatever reason, modify this tactic. Practice coming up, glancing at 3rd, turning back toward the pitcher, come out, draw back and in mid-step quickly lean forward and fire the ball AS you are turning to face 3rd base. I repeat, fire the ball AS you are turning to face 3rd base. Be prepared to catch yourself as this will and should throw you off balance if done correctly.
Keep the advance warning to the runners down to a minimum and you will be much more effective.
Do this a few times early in the game. After that, a quick little glance will send them scurrying back to safety.
Remember, this will be just as effective on runners taking a lead at 1st base too. Go for the lead runner when you can.
