Table of Contents. Player Expectations for Practices, Games, and the Entire Season... 3 Playing Catcher... 4

Transcription

1 February 2017

2 Table f Cntents Cntents Player Expectatins fr Practices, Games, and the Entire Seasn... 3 Playing Catcher... 4 Leadership in Catching... 4 Game Situatins... 5 Game Calling... 8 Prper Catching Stances... 9 Receiving Thrwing Mechanics Blcking Tips P a g e

3 Player Expectatins Player Expectatins fr Practices, Games, and the Entire Seasn 1. Learn the game practice matters 2. Hustle hw yu practice is hw yu play 3. Be cmpetitive play t win 4. Respect and supprt each ther the glden rule 5. Respect yurself n ful language r persnal remarks 6. Play with pise the game DOES start ver with every pitch 7. Enjy the game and have fun being a part f it 8. Take pride in what yu d and never be cntent with medicrity 9. Baseball is a TEAM SPORT that demands INDIVIDUAL EFFORT 10. Remember that playing time wrks itself ut ver the curse f a seasn 11. Yu are nly as gd as yur next at bat 3 P a g e

4 Fundamentals f Playing Catcher Playing Catcher Leadership in Catching While leadership amngst all players is a great attribute, it's never mre imprtant than at the catching psitin. Regardless f talent level, there are basic ways in which a catcher can have a very psitive impact n the team. Here are a few: Leadership The catcher generally runs the game as the team's "quarterback." Cnfidence and hustle g a lng way in setting a style in which a team plays. Every player n the field can see the catcher. The catcher shuld utilize this pprtunity t lead by example. A cnfident demeanr influences a team psitively. Cmmunicatin The catcher must knw all the strengths and weaknesses f the entire pitching staff. Therefre, cmmunicating with the pitching staff becmes paramunt in establishing trust in each ther. The catcher must knw the fllwing abut all f the pitchers n his team: What is the pitcher's best pitch? What kind f cmmand d they have with each pitch? Hw des their temperament affect their pitching? Hw fast d they wrk? D they like mund visits? D they like t talk between innings? The catcher must be an extensin f the manager n the field. Cmmunicating with the manager and pitching cach abut pitch strategies and/r game situatins is vital. Cntrl the Temp f the Game Establishing and maintaining a quality game temp is largely the catcher's jb. When the team is ahead, a quick temp maintains mmentum. Cnversely, when the pitcher is struggling, the catcher can slw the game dwn t help the pitcher regain his cmpsure and minimize the ppnent's mmentum. Calling a Game Have a plan and help lead the pitcher in executing that plan. In general, stick with a pitcher's strengths ver a hitter's weaknesses. Dn't be afraid t duble up (pitch the same pitch and lcatin twice in a rw). 4 P a g e

5 Fundamentals f Playing Catcher Have a reasn fr every pitch called. Take pride in calling a winning game. Respnsibility Lead by example. Cntrl the temp f the game. Cntrl the running game. Wrk harder than anyne else n the field. Knw the pitching staff's strengths and weaknesses. Never carry the burdens f at-bats t the defensive side f the game. Remind the pitcher t cver first base. Give all first and third defenses t the rest f the team's fielders. Cmmunicate where t thrw the ball n bunt plays. Be a vcal reminder t infielders n pp ups. Remind the infielders t thrw t first base n 3-2 cunt and 2 ut situatins. Enjy the demands f the psitin. Great demands prduce great satisfactin. Game Situatins As the "field general," the catcher is invlved in just abut every defensive play in the game. Belw are a variety f situatins a gd catcher shuld be prepared fr, hw t prepare fr them and hw they shuld be executed: Giving Signals Make sure there is n cnfusin amng the catcher, pitcher and middle infielders. Signs shuld be well hidden frm ppsing caches and base runners. Knw all the signs frm the cach and cmmunicate them t the pitcher. Bunts The catcher must call ut bunt plays t let the defense knw where t thrw the ball. The catcher is the nly player facing the entire play. The ffense is giving up an ut, make sure t take it! When fielding bunts, the catcher shuld get t the ball quickly and get rid f their mask. When appraching the ball, the catcher shuld be under cntrl with a wide base. Whenever pssible, the catcher shuld gather the ball with their chest ver the ball. 5 P a g e

6 Fundamentals f Playing Catcher Use the glve when the ball is rlling. Use yur bare hand when the ball is stpped. Bunts dwn the First Base Line If the ball is being thrwn t first base, the catcher shuld apprach the ball frm the left side. The catcher shuld give himself a clear lane t thrw when thrwing t first base. If the ball is being thrwn t secnd r third base, then a direct line t the ball shuld be taken aggressively. Be sure t get t the ball and keep mmentum ging twards the target. Keeping a gd arm angle (hand abve elbw) creates mre accurate thrws. Bunts dwn the Third Base Line If the ball is being thrwn t first base, the catcher shuld apprach the ball frm the right side. The clser the ball is in line with the pitcher, the mre the catcher can circle the ball frm the left. The catcher shuld step past the ball with the right ft, reach fr the ball with bth glve and bare hands, and get the shulders lined up with the target fr an accurate thrw. Blcking the Plate/Tag Plays The catcher's left te shuld be pinted dwn the third base line with the heel placed n the frnt, left crner in ful territry. Mask shuld be left n fr prtectin. Catcher shuld be in a stable, athletic stance and try t catch the ball with tw hands. Catcher shuld stay at hme plate unless the thrw takes them ffline. Tags shuld be applied with bth hands securing the ball. The base runner's path t the plate shuld be taken away with the shin guards first. Using the rll away technique will sften a cllisin. Stay sft with upper bdy. Pp Ups The catcher shuld g after every pp up. Cmmunicate with the infielders t call fr the ball. On pp ups in the general vicinity, the catcher shuld turn their back t the field and leave enugh rm fr the ball t cme back twards the field. On plays away frm hme plate, the catcher shuld take ff their mask. On balls clse t the plate, the mask shuld be thrwn when the ball gets t its max height. Always try t catch the ball with tw hands apprximately head high. 6 P a g e

7 Fundamentals f Playing Catcher Frce Plays / Duble Plays On frce plays r the beginnings f duble plays, the catcher shuld be in an athletic psitin and always expect a bad thrw. The catcher shuld keep their chest square t the thrw they are receiving. On frce uts, the catcher shuld be n the edge f the plate and act like a first baseman if necessary. On duble plays, the catcher shuld wrk their way int the thrw and get his mmentum mving twards first base. Pitch Outs The catcher shuld set up straddling the utside crner f the plate. Once the pitcher's arm starts mving tward the plate, the catcher can start their ftwrk t mve them further frm the hitter. Always expect a bad pitch. If a steal attempt was crrectly predicted, make a gd thrw and get the ut. Steps fr Pitch Out Ftwrk 1. Lateral step with the right ft. 2. Diagnal step with left ft twards secnd base. 3. Shrt step with the right ft t line up the thrw t secnd base. 4. Cmplete the ftwrk with left ft stepping t the target t finish the thrw. Rundwns Always try t drive the runner back t third base. Run the runner back as hard as yu can, but always stay under cntrl. Make a gd, chest-high thrw. N pump fakes. D nt leave hme plate vacant. 7 P a g e

8 Fundamentals f Playing Catcher Game Calling While catching is a physically demanding psitin, it is als a mentally challenging ne as well. Here are a series f tips every catcher can emply t gain an advantage ver the ppsitin and better lead his team: Take charge f the game. The catcher is the quarterback - the team will play t the catcher's temp. Knw hw t handle each pitcher n the team. Knw their best pitch fr different situatins, like duble-play situatins r tw-strike cunts. Be psitive when giving advice. Knw when t give int the pitcher's chice f pitch. Call time in a big situatin and talk with the pitcher. Shw interest in pitch selectin during and after the game. The catcher shuld be able t g ver the pitches thrwn with the cach and pitcher after an inning is ver. The pitching cach and catcher shuld wrk hand-in-hand. Shw emtin when the pitcher makes a great pitch. Be smart abut pitch selectin. Knw the best pitches t call fr a: First-pitch strike Change-up: hw and when? Inside fastball 0-2 cunt Pitch arund ht hitters, dn't give them anything they can hit well. Frce the hitter t hit the pitcher's best pitch. Learn ppsing hitters 8 P a g e

9 Fundamentals f Playing Catcher Prper Catching Stances As with every psitin in baseball, we want t start each play with a gd fundatin. The catcher's stance is the fundatin frm which everything happens. Frm here, he will call the game, receive pitches and thrw ut runners. With each situatin, the stance is altered in anticipatin f the next play. While each catcher is different, there are sme fundamental tuch pints that every catcher can be mindful f. They are as fllws: Signal Stance Feet shuld be square t the pitcher abut a ft apart. Bdy shuld split the plate in half. Left knee shuld pint at shrtstp psitin. Right knee shuld be clsed enugh s a runner n first base cannt see the signs. Glve shuld extend beynd left knee t guard against the third base cach. Thrwing arm shuld rest in hip flexr crevice with elbw tucked in. Hand shuld be even with cup. Be aware nt t give sign t high r t lw. Catcher shuld check psitining f batter in the bx and be aware f peeking. Receiving Stance After giving the sign, the catcher shuld shift int a cmfrtable but fundamentally sund receiving psitin. A quiet mve t the prper lcatin inside r utside shuld be at the right time s that the hitter cannt see it and runners n base cannt relay lcatin. Feet shuld remain shulder width apart with weight n the inside f the feet and tes turned slightly ut. Glve arm shuld be slightly extended t give a gd target. Glve psitining shuld be with fingers pinted t the sky. This will allw the elbw t remain tucked and give the pitcher an pen glve target. Glve shuld be visible and nt mve until the pitcher releases the pitch. Psitin within the catcher's bx will vary accrding t the hitter. Always stay as clse t the hitter as pssible withut interfering. Bare hand shuld be behind right heel, behind the back r by the right grin. Stance with Runners On With runners n base r with tw strikes n the hitter, a mdified receiving stance becmes a mre athletic thrwing/blcking psitin. Feet shuld be shulder width apart with weight n the balls f the feet. 9 P a g e

10 Fundamentals f Playing Catcher Knees shuld be inside the ankles with rear elevated in a ready psitin. Giving a gd, pen target is still necessary. Remember "fingers t the sky." Bare hand shuld be in a cmfrtable place behind the glve r by the right grin. Receiving Receiving is a skill that can be develped if wrked n prperly. It's imprtant t educate yur catchers that receiving is a skill essential t their game. The better a catcher receives pitches, the mre value he brings t a team. Keep Yur Eyes On the Ball A gd receiver always fllws the ball int the glve with his eyes. Always Give a Gd Target Prper psitining f the glve makes receiving easier. Remember t keep "fingers t the sky!" Beat the Ball t the Spt Anticipating where the ball is ging t be when it crsses the plate and getting the glve t that spt befre the ball gets there allws fr a strng handle f the pitch. Failure t get the glve in psitin will let the velcity f the pitch dminate the glve. Catchers shuld nt let the frce f the pitch carry their glve ut f the strike zne. Catching the utside parts f the ball fr inside and utside pitches, tp f the ball fr high pitches and bttm f the ball fr lw pitches will put catchers in psitin t receive them crrectly. Be Sft and Firm When Receiving Pitches It is necessary t have sme sftness and sme firmness t receive crrectly and efficiently. Catchers shuld be firm and "stick" pitches t present them t the umpire. Catchers shuld als be sft enugh nt t jab at the ball and drp the pitch. Catch the Ball Out In Frnt f the Bdy Give the umpire a gd lk at the pitch. Mre strikes are likely t be called the clser a catcher catches the ball t the plate. Catch Strikes Catch all the strikes that are in the zne. Let them be strikes. Catch the Brderline Pitches Crrectly Pitches that are brderline balls r strikes are the nes that catchers can affect the mst. 10 P a g e

11 Fundamentals f Playing Catcher The catcher shuld keep his fingers t the sky and mve his glve side-t-side in handling inside and utside brderline pitches. The catcher shuld avid pinting his thumb t the grund when receiving pitches. Shifting bdy weight a little adds t the perceptin that a brderline pitch is a strike. Let the Obvius Balls Be Balls A catcher shuld never try t make an bvius ball lk like a strike. That will nly irritate the umpire and is an unnecessary actin. A Gd Catcher Ges Unnticed One f the biggest cmpliments fr a gd receiving catcher is that he is unnticeable. Limiting glve and bdy mvement and catching the ball cleanly makes fr a very gd receiving catcher. D nt be in a hurry t jump ut f the catching psitin n strike three. Thrwing Mechanics The mst cmmn fallacy abut catching is that the mst imprtant aspect f a catcher's thrwing ability is his arm strength. While it is imprtant fr a catcher t have a strng arm, it is equally, if nt mre imprtant fr a catcher t have gd hands, agile feet and verall gd athletic ability t be a gd thrwing catcher. Strng-armed catchers wh fail t thrw runners ut ften make errrs in ftwrk r transfer at the beginning f the task. It is an athletic cmbinatin f quick feet, secure transfer, strng arm and accurate aim that leads t a successful thrwing catcher. Ftwrk The mst imprtant part f a catcher's ftwrk is cnsistency. On thrws t secnd base, there are tw ways t utilize prper ftwrk. Pivt: As the ball appraches, the catcher pivts his right ft and thrws t secnd base. A strng arm is required fr this ftwrk. Jab Step: This is used by mst catchers in baseball. The catcher jab steps with his right ft t an area n the grund just belw his chin at the center f his bdy. It is crucial t keep the catcher's ftwrk cnfined t an imaginary circle arund him. This enables shrt, cmpact ftwrk, which initiates quickness. Regardless f which ftwrk is used, the catcher must make his back ft becme parallel t the frnt edge f the plate and keep his frnt te pinted directly twards secnd base. On thrws t third base, the catcher must always wrk t clear himself if a right-handed hitter is at the plate. If psitined deep in the bx crrectly, the catcher shuld have smewhat f a straight line t third base. In extreme cases, a catcher may pt t g in frnt f the hitter n pitches lw and away. Either way, the ftwrk shuld be cnfined and cmpact. 11 P a g e

12 Fundamentals f Playing Catcher Transfer The exchange is a critical part f the thrwing prcess. Many errant thrws are a result f bbbled transfers r bad grips. The catcher shuld make a tw-handed catch when receiving the ball. The transfer is made by picking the ball ut f the glve, nt flipping the ball t the bare hand. The transfer is made at the center f the bdy. D nt carry the glve side back t the thrwing shulder. The catcher shuld wrk n getting a strng first grip n the ball. Fur seams is a plus. Upper/Lwer Bdy The catcher needs t stay as lw and cmpact as pssible while thrwing. Legs shuld stay flexed thrughut the thrw. The catcher's frnt shulder must be pinted in the directin f the thrw befre the thrw is made. The catcher must wrk t use and clear his frnt side. The final key fr a catcher is t finish his thrw ver a bent frnt leg. It is critical that the catcher des nt recil. Reciling severely limits velcity and carry n the thrw. Arm Actin The catcher uses the shrtest arm actin n the field. The catcher's thrwing hand never drps belw the glve. Fingers shuld stay n tp f the ball. The catcher shuld imagine a dt n the inside f the wrist. That dt must be pinted in the directin f the thrw. Blcking Tips The catcher must understand that it is their respnsibility and cmmitment t blck every ball in the dirt with runners n base r tw strikes n the hitter. The key ingredient t successfully blcking balls in the dirt is anticipatin. Knwing when and where the ball might be ensures prper reactin t balls in the dirt. The ability t blck prvides trust fr the pitchers in thrwing their best pitches in crucial situatins. Blcking balls in the dirt is invaluable t team success. Always Anticipate Balls Being in the Dirt Cut the distance between the catcher and where the ball bunces s that the ball bunces ff the chest prtectr. Gaining grund shrtens the hp and creates a better angle. 12 P a g e

13 Fundamentals f Playing Catcher The distance a catcher can cver will vary. The catcher's range will dictate the angle at which they cut distance frm left t right. STRAIGHT AHEAD - The catcher can cut distance r simply g t their knees as quickly as pssible. The farther the ball is hitting in frnt f the plate, the mre imprtant it is t cut the distance. LEFT OR RIGHT - A cmmn angle fr blcking left t right is 45 degrees t cut the ball ff. The catcher shuld always try t blck the "utside" f the ball by getting arund it t cntrl where it bunces, ideally back tward hme plate. Sft mvements equate t cntrl f the ball when it hits the catcher. The catcher must relax and let the ball hit him. After blcking the ball, the catcher must lcate the ball quickly, get t their feet and retrieve the ball. The actual blcking f the ball is nly half the battle. Keeping the runners frm advancing is the true measure f success. Blcking Checklist A catcher shuld keep the fllwing keys f blcking in mind: KNEES Get bth knees t the grund in the directin f the ball as quickly as pssible. D nt jump t the knees. Sft landings make fr sft mvements. GLOVE The catcher shuld lead with the glve and cver the hle between the legs with bth the glve and bare hand. The bare hand shuld be entirely behind the glve. The glve shuld remain pen at all times. The catcher shuld nt try t catch the ball. ELBOWS The elbws shuld sink int the crrect psitin when the hands are in the crrect psitin. The ability t flare ne's elbws ut creates a bigger target fr the ball t hit. In ding this, the catcher's shulders will stay squared t the ball. CHIN The chin shuld g directly dwn t the chest t lcate the ball n the grund. This mvement will cause the shulders t rund and be ver the ball, creating a gd angle fr the ball t bunce ff the catcher. The catcher needs t keep their eyes pen t lcate the ball quickly. 13 P a g e