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| Baseball catching: |
Essential Technique
Footwork
All catching starts with good footwork culled from a good solid base. Simply put, the catcher should be on his toes and as low as possible to the ground in order to give a low target at the knees.
Catching the Ball
How a catcher catches the average pitch is an important basis to judge how successful he is. With no runners on, the catcher’s throwing hand should rest behind the back. With runners on, the catcher should put his throwing hand right behind the mitt (some people even like to rest their thumb and/or fist on the back of the glove). Give the pitcher a good low target - a mere 18 inches off the ground at the hitter’s knees. The key technique of giving a good target is to bend the glove-hand wrist back as far as possible, thus allowing the pitcher to see a wide open mitt. Still, the wrist and forearm must remain relaxed. This position only needs to be held until the pitcher throws, whereupon it is all right to slightly move the glove, to get ready to catch the pitch.
The catcher needs to be as close to the batter as possible, to the point where he can almost reach out and touch his back leg with his hand. Being close is essential because it is easier for the pitcher to aim for, as well as easier to block pitches, easier to frame pitches, and easier for the umpire to read the pitch. An occasional catcher’s interference call is actually a good sign of a catcher getting up nice and close.
When the pitch comes, catch the ball out in front, with a soft, slight give of the glove, but with the forearm only slightly bent, so the umpire can see the ball out in front over the plate. Excess movement, like stabbing at the ball, or letting the ball push the glove back will be too distracting, and will confuse the umpire and frustrate the pitcher.
Framing
First off, if a pitch is obviously a ball, do not frame it because it is insulting to the umpire. If you catch a low pitch underhand (with the palm facing the sky), then you will not get a strike. Also, if a pitch is right down the middle, you don’t have to hold the frame, or really frame it all, as long as you aren’t stabbing at the ball. But if a pitch is on a corner, or just low or high, then it is essential to help out your pitcher.
Umpires love to call strikes on balls that hit the mitt, that is, pitches that can be caught without moving the glove at all, even if they are a little outside. So, giving a good target and holding the spot if the pitcher hits it is an essential part of framing. But if the ball doesn’t quite hit the mitt, it is important to have a little rhythm to the frame. On pitches on the left corner of the plate, simply rotate the wrist a slight quarter turn inward (Photo 15C). On pitches on the right corner of the plate, the key is to slightly rotate the wrist to the left, as well as pull the elbow from left to right (Photos 15A and 15B). On high pitches, pull the elbow slightly down (Photos 15A and 15D ). On low pitches, simply keep the wrist bent and pull the elbow slightly up towards the sky (Photo 15B). The key is to be subtle and not move the shoulder or forearm, instead, just adding slight movements from the elbow and the wrist. In short, the less movement, the better the frame.
Blocking balls
Blocking balls is a product of a little knowledge, decent technique, and a lot of desire. The key is to always anticipate a bad pitch, especially whenever there’s a curveball being thrown. Blocking techniques are fairly simple, but too often the catcher panics and doesn’t fully execute the technique.
Essentially, the catcher must move his feet so his body will be in the center of where the pitch will go. Then, he must drop forward towards the pitcher onto his knees, put his glove in between his legs with the throwing hand behind it, hunch his shoulders wide but facing inward, and tuck the chin face down and into the chest. The catcher should then let the ball hit him in the chest. (Photo 16A)
On balls to the side, footwork is crucial because the catcher needs to take a slight step to gain ground (towards right field for a ball to the right, or left field for a ball to the left) and surround the pitch before dropping to his knees (Photo 16B.
One mistake is that most catchers don’t drop forward to the pitcher, they usually hold their ground. It is important to go forward to take away as much of the hop as possible (Photo 16C). Also, it enables the catcher to smother the ball.
Notes:
1) Blocking pitches with no one on is tedious, but important, because it will inspire confidence in the pitcher to throw those pitches in clutch situations with runners on.
2) Since about 90-percent of wild pitches are caused by curveballs, the catcher should be extra, extra prepared when this pitch is called.
Throwing to second
The key to throwing to second is, in order of importance: 1) Quick release, 2) Good control, 3) Speed of throw. A catcher needs to get the ball to second base in around 2.0 seconds. Traditional throwing techniques are mostly followed, but with some unique subtleties added. On an average pitch, the catcher needs to begin to turn his body and lift up his right foot before he catches the pitch. After he catches the ball, the right foot lands, then the ball is transferred by bringing the mitt back as he is cocking his arm, allowing extra time for adjusting the grip. Finally, he steps with his left foot towards second and throws low and on a line. Notice that the key to throwing successfully to second is mostly about footwork.
There are three footwork techniques, used according to the location of the pitch:
1) Jab Step
This is on a pitch easy to handle, when the batter doesn’t swing, and the catcher is ready to throw. The jab step forward gets momentum going but keeps weight back to help the catcher stay low.
2) Crow-hop
This is for a pitch to the left, where the catcher can’t jab step, but must crow-hop to square up his shoulders.
3) Sway
The sway is most effective on outside pitches, when the batter swings and misses, or on fake bunts which inhibit the catcher from taking a jab step. In the sway, the catcher doesn’t step with the right foot, but merely turns the right foot perpendicular to second base, rotates the shoulders closed, then steps with the left foot to throw (Photo 17). This allows for a quick release, but the throw doesn’t have as much on it.
Notes:
1) The catcher must pop up with awareness every time a runner is on, particularly at first, in order to protect against the delayed steal.
2) When throwing to first on strike three wild-pitches or bunts, the catcher should call inside or outside, while squaring up his shoulders.
3) On balls that have stopped rolling, he should use all five fingers to push down and pick up the ball, then get the grip on the way up to eliminate mishandling the ball. Also, only use a reverse pivot on balls towards third.
Ground Ball Technique on Throws Home
Too often, far too often, catchers are poor fielders on throws to the plate from the field, be it from outfielders or infielders or pitchers. That’s because they don’t rely on proper infield technique. Essentially, a throw in the dirt is just like a ground ball. The catcher needs to accept this, expect balls in the dirt, and in turn, follow the technique. For example, the catcher needs to square up to the ball, form the fielding triangle with legs spread wide, and hold his glove on the ground far out in front (Photo 18).
On all balls, he needs to think of starting from the ground and simply lifting up. On long hops, he must use two hands (as on all hops). On short hops, he needs to snatch forward with the glove. On in-between hops, he either needs to go forward a little more, or step back a little. He should block the plate with his left leg only after he is certain he will catch the ball. On all plays, he should not reach to tag the runner, but place the ball on the front of home plate, protecting the ball with two hands, while protecting the hand by having the back of the glove away from him. If the throw is up the third base line, he should sweep back towards home to try and make the tag.
Popups
On pop-ups, the catcher must immediately find the ball, toss his mask in the opposite direction, then turn his back to the infield. This is because the ball will be slicing back towards the infield and it is much easier to catch. This is important to remember on balls near the stands or the backstop, because the ball will come back to you. Always catch with two hands.
Backing-up Bases
The catcher must back up first on ground balls to the infield with no one on. In addition, he must cover third on a sacrifice bunt to the third baseman with a man on first only.
SPECIALTY PLAYS
1) On passed balls with a runner at third, the catcher must sprint to the ball and make a controlled feet-first slide, slowing him down so he can pick up the ball and make a quick throw from the ground in a controlled fashion. If there is no play, do not throw the ball because other runners could advance on a passed ball.
2) With less than two outs and a runner on first, the catcher doesn’t have to throw to first on a dropped strike three. He does with two outs, even if first is occupied, but if the bases are loaded, he can merely step on home.
Mental Approach
The catcher is the spiritual leader of the team. Most catchers call the outs and remind the infielders of situations, but he should also position the fielders. On bunts, the catcher needs to inspire everyone to get the lead runner, as well as make good quick calls. This is accrued by knowledge of the situation, knowledge of the speed of the bunt, knowledge of the speed of the runners, and a lot of practice with awareness.
On balls hit to the outfield, he must call out the location of the throw immediately, and keep calling it loudly. On plays to the plate, he must give a good read, like “Relay”, “Cut-Two” to throw to second, or the equally important “Let it Go.” It’s essential that these calls are early, yet, the catcher should implore the fielders to use their own initiative. If the throw doesn’t reach the cut-off man in the air, he should relay it. Or if it is off-line, then that should be an automatic relay as well.
Also, the catcher must keep the pitcher happy, taking notes of mechanical flaws or signs of aiming the ball. For the middle infielders, he must make sure they can see his signs. Finally, the catcher needs to be sociable with the umpire, and not shown him up.
Practice Drills
Blocking Drill
Throw balls in dirt to a partner while practicing good technique. Alternate sides, while also throwing spinning balls to replicate curveball bounces.
Framing Drill
Throw to a partner, working on framing pitches. Focus on each location for a few reps (inside, outside, high, low), then work on all locations at the same time.
Ball-exchange Drill
Kneel down, catch pitch, practice mitt to hand exchange, bringing the mitt up with the ball while rotating trunk.
Throwing Footwork Drill
Throw to a partner, working on throwing footwork for different locations (inside, middle, outside, high, low).
Popup/Equilibrium Drill
Pop-ups to catcher. Have the catcher do a 360-degree turn (or two) while the ball is in the air, practicing regaining balance and equilibrium.
Catching balls Thrown from the Field
Throw a mix of balls to the catcher, primarily short-hops, in-between hops, or long hops, to replicate plays at the plate. Roll an empty trash barrel or a basketball, or have a coach fake running to home to put pressure on the catcher. Can also be accomplished by hitting fungoes to the catcher from second base.
Passed Balls, Throw to Home Drill
Pitcher (or partner or coach) throws a pitch through the catcher’s legs or off the catcher, and he practices sliding and making a good throw to the pitcher covering home.
Throws to First on Wild Pitch Strike Three
Catcher practices picking up wild pitch strike threes in the dirt and throwing to first.
Pickoff Plays
Catcher practices throwing to each base on pickoffs, primarily to first. Also practice throwing from knees.
Pitch-outs
Practice gaining ground by taking jab step forward towards right field (pitch to right), or left field (pitch to left) and throwing to second.
Fielding Bunts
Practice picking up the ball (stabbing or with two hands), and footwork (inside or outside pivot) on bunts.
1. Problem: Poor technique fielding throws to home
Remedy:
Use infield ground ball technique
Read the hop
Use two hands
Make sure ball is caught before blocking plate
Drills:
Controlled situations
Coach hit fungoes to home
Roll an empty trash barrel or basketball or have coach run at catcher
2. Problem: Poor or late calls on bunts and relays
Remedy:
Know the situation – speed of batter, speed of baserunner
Know speed of grass
Call it early
On bunts, remind and inspire fielders to be aggressive and get the lead runner
Drills:
Simulated games
Controlled situations
Bunt Drills
General observance of game situations
3. Problem: Not blocking pitches well
Remedy:
Follow the correct technique
Make sure to drop forward onto knees
Use jab step forward to angle in on outside pitches
Anticipate curveballs to be in the dirt
Practicing by blocking all pitches when runners aren’t on base
Drills:
Blocking drills
Being conscientious catching pitchers in the bullpen
4. Problem: Framing too much, or too little
Remedy:
Eliminate excess movement
Keep arm almost straight, don’t move
Only use subtle movements – pull elbow on high, low and outside pitches, slight turn with wrist on inside and outside pitches
Don’t frame pitches that are obviously balls
Drills:
Framing drills
Being conscientious catching pitchers in the bullpen
5. Problem: Lazy feet on throws and blocking balls
Remedy:
Stay on your toes
Eliminate excess movement – short quick jab steps and crow-hops
Stay involved in game
Drills:
Throwing footwork drills
Catching in bullpen
6. Problem: Poor control throwing to second
Remedy:
Work on excellent footwork
Start footwork before pitch is caught
Quick jab steps and crow-hop to line up shoulders at target
Make sure to bring mitt and throwing arm up and back to a cocked position
Drills:
Throwing technique drills
Ball-exchange drill
Throwing footwork drills
Pickoff drills, plus throwing from knees
Team Defense drills
7. Problem: Not throwing runners out on pitch-outs
Remedy:
Don’t slow anything down just because you think you have time
Take a good jab step towards right field or left field (depending on hitter) and square shoulders
Drills:
Pitch-out drills
Throwing footwork drills
8. Problem: How do I get a feel for and have rhythm as a catcher?
Remedy:
Conscientiously work on technique whenever receiving throws
Eliminate excess movement
Perform the technique fast and hard, but also as smoothly as possible
Work on subtly framing
Drills:
Bullpen work
Simulated games
Throws to second timed with a stop watch
Controlled vs. 100% drills
Do things game speed
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| Club | G | V | D | Pnct. |
| 1 Kvint |
12 |
12 |
0 |
36 |
| 2 Abator |
13 |
8 |
5 |
29 |
| 3 SDISOR |
13 |
7 |
6 |
27 |
| 4 Scorpion |
12 |
6 |
6 |
23 |
| 5 Hawks |
12 |
5 |
7 |
22 |
| 6 Cojusna |
12 |
3 |
9 |
18 |
| 7 Corsairs |
12 |
2 |
10 |
16 |
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| Name | AVR | SLG | team |
| 1 Burmei |
521 |
667 |
CRS |
| 2 Covalenco |
476 |
738 |
KVT |
| 3 Vloscinschii |
459 |
486 |
ABT |
| 4 Butnari |
432 |
705 |
CRS |
| 5 Belous |
423 |
462 |
KVT |
| 6 Postolachi |
407 |
519 |
CRS |
| 7 Novac |
400 |
543 |
ABT |
| 8 Fleostor |
385 |
500 |
ABT |
| 9 Soltan |
382 |
529 |
HWK |
| 10 Cuceric |
357 |
357 |
HWK |
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| Title | Name |
| MOST VALUED PLAYER |
Fleostor |
| BEST HITTER |
Burmei |
| BEST PITCHER |
Novac |
| BEST RBI runs batted in |
Butnari |
| MOST STOLEN BASE |
Fleostor |
| MOST RUNS SCORED |
Burmei |
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