Any tips on being a catcher?????

[dmay13]

I am 13 and have loved to catch for a very long time. I mostly just catch in our backyard with a regular glove and no protection, but just purchased a used catchers mitt. I am going to try to catch next year in our local Rec league.:lookitup Any tips?:hp

[chesspirate]

Get used to giving your body for the team (pain), working the hardest of anyone on the field and still being the least appreciated...

[BearsCoach13]

Check out this catcher's site I'm currently working on. Go under the "Guide" section. Right now I don't have many pictures up to help explain things, but there is a good amount of info (both basic and advanced) that should help you.

[paul5150]

yea the main thing is not being afraid to put your body infront of the ball...this will also help you catcher out alot because he'll now know that he can thrown a ball in the dirt to strike some1 out and his catcher will block it.

[onbaseball]

The BearsCoach's site is a good one for beginners, and should give you a great start on the basics ... so start reading! :D

Work on being comfortable in your catching stance, and staying balanced. Catch as much as you can, and as many different pitchers as you can. Learn to catch the ball in the pocket of the glove; it's helpful to think about keeping your thumb pointed to the right or better yet, down, when receiving strikes.

Contrary to popular belief, the catcher needs to have very quick feet, so part of your conditioning should include the jump rope. Quick feet enable you to get to wild pitches, and also help you in getting the ball to second base.

Be prepared to work harder than everyone else on the field, and understand that you are always involved on every single pitch, and you must know what is going on in the game at all times. When you are not playing, watch as many games as you can --- live if possible (high school games, rec games, etc.) --- and take note of all the things going on.

Also be prepared to suffer little nicks, scratches, sprained fingers, bruises, bumps, and learn to shake them off.

Naturally, post here with your questions, as there are several people with good advice.

[9'sDad]

Another good site is catchingcamp.com.

Practice blocking on a regular basis and it will become habit.

With your mask on, have someone toss balls at your face.

[Ursa Major]

Eteamz has come catching tips and drills available here:
http://eteamz.active.com/baseball/instruction/tips/category.cfm/Catching/

[lamsat]

I liked to practice with someone who could throw a good moving pitch to me.
If you can't tell where the pitch is going before it's half way there you'll need to be freakishly fast or you'll get a lot of past balls. With this it also helps when your at bat because you know the pitches.

Also you are the one who is in charge on the field. It's not the pitcher who calls the shots, it's you the catcher. You have to know where to go for every pitch, tell your team, and let the pitcher know what to throw where.

Another note is to makes sure you let your pitchers know your in charge, if they stop watching for a sign or location, let the ball pass a few times, or don't block it. just make it look like it's the pitchers fault so they know you have control on the field.

A plus would be to be able to take a hit from the pitch or a runner, shrug it off and make the other team think your a tank. You take damage and can fire the ball to anyone at anytime.

Hmm. what else, aaaaa you can cross the straps on your shin gaurds to keep them on but not have them really tight. Hold the mask till you know where the plays going, then throw it to the other side of the field out of the way.
If the plays coming straight home keep your mask on, it WILL help you not get hurt.


Oh and make sure no matter what you at least tell yourself it's fun being the hottest, sweatiest, most worked person, and not getting a lot of credit for it.


P.S. Keep your arm heathly. If you throw to second and it's close but you arm hurts. Don't throw again untill you know why it hurts. I just kept throwing, and now I lost a good QB arm for my football team cause it hurts to do anything but a catcher's throw.

Sorry if anything is spelt wrong but I'm tired.

[GeorgiaHoo]

My daughter took a foul ball off the face mask, took a foul ball off the inside of her arm, and had a runner slide into her throwing hand on a play at the plate. And she didn't block a ball she should have. So, typical game as a catcher.

[oc_poc]

All the responses here should help you a lot, one more thing is practice not closing your eyes when your making the catch or when the batter is swinging. It is a habbit that most young catchers have, and it should be avoided. As the catcher, you must always see the ball, and especially for a ball in the dirt or a wild pitch.
One more thing is some catchers get in position too far behind home plate. Make it easier for yourself and set up closer to home plate, remember that when a batter swings he is usually moving forward. So a batting stance that looks like the bat will hit you will actually clear your glove by about 1 foot.
Part of being a catcher is not being afraid to be agressive and assertive on the field.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Be a role model for your team mates. Even if you are down by a large margin, don't give up. Keep diving for balls and blocking everything. Even in a rout, keep the runners honest if they are straying too far from the base on their secondary lead.

Another thing. Try to always stay tensed. What i mean is, don't sit back (on your kneesavers, if you use them, or just on your thighs). Crouching in the ready position could be the difference between catching a pop-up or not, or running down the line on a play to first.

Also, never complain. Never say to people "Look at all the bruises i have from playing catcher". Don't brag about how tough you are. Because first of all, there is always someone tougher than you. Second of all, it makes you look like you are looking for attention.

Finally, keep your pitchers in check. Talk to them if they are getting flustered. Remind them to keep the ball down, and to "finish" their pitches.

[Jake Patterson]

Contact Catchingcoach out of NH.

[LonBlue67]

#1 Rule: Protect your umpire :D

[GeorgiaHoo]

I saw an umpire berate a 10 year old catcher because she didn't block the ball and he got hit. She was crying because he was yelling at her. Pissed me off.

[THE COACH]

The Turtle Thomas videos are the finest videos on catching I have found. They will provide all the knowledge you need to become the best catchers you can be. www.tipsfromthecoach.com

[Ohfor]

I can be two of them? Three?

[Jake Patterson]

The Turtle Thomas videos are the finest videos on catching I have found. They will provide all the knowledge you need to become the best catchers you can be. www.tipsfromthecoach.com

Spent time with Turtle at the World Baseball Convention - He's something special....