Survival tips-Catching

[thecomic]

Any catchers or former catchers out there who can give me some pointers?
I play in a mens league and our backup catcher went down. With a double header this weekend my team needs me behind the dish. I usually play 3rd.
I'm lookin' forward to it cuz my best freind will be pitching. I just hope my legs survive through 9 innings.
any pointers are greatly appreciated.
thanks in advance.

[kweiss]

Re: Survival tips-Catching

I'm not a catcher, but have you tried those knee savers? A lot of catchers tell me those really help.

[kweiss]

Re: Survival tips-Catching

I'm not a catcher, but have you tried those knee savers? A lot of catchers tell me those really help.

[kweiss]

Re: Survival tips-Catching

I'm not a catcher, but have you tried those knee savers? A lot of catchers tell me those really help.

[BigRed]

Re: Survival tips-Catching

#1. WEAR A CUP!!!!!!!!!

2. If no one is on base keep you're bare hand behind your back in a tight fist. It's easy to get a foul tip off a finger and ruin your season.

3. DO NOT TURN YOUR HEAD ON BALLS IN THE DIRT! This is one of the biggest mistakes a young catcher makes. If the ball hits you in the mask, it won't hurt. If you turn your head and it hits you in the back of the neck (or head) you could really get hurt.

4. Don't try to 'catch' everything. They give you all that equipment for a reason. If the ball's in the dirt, don't reach for it. Slide laterally (think defensive basketball) trying to cover as much ground with you're body as possible. It's really hard to guess which way the ball will bounce, just broaden your shoulders and knock the ball down.

That's it. At least from a first timer's stand point.

Just try to keep everything in front of you. Think of yourself as a wall. Stay perpenticular to the action and if something does get bye, don't worry about it. You've got to be ready for the next pitch.

But most of all, have fun.

[BigRed]

Re: Survival tips-Catching

#1. WEAR A CUP!!!!!!!!!

2. If no one is on base keep you're bare hand behind your back in a tight fist. It's easy to get a foul tip off a finger and ruin your season.

3. DO NOT TURN YOUR HEAD ON BALLS IN THE DIRT! This is one of the biggest mistakes a young catcher makes. If the ball hits you in the mask, it won't hurt. If you turn your head and it hits you in the back of the neck (or head) you could really get hurt.

4. Don't try to 'catch' everything. They give you all that equipment for a reason. If the ball's in the dirt, don't reach for it. Slide laterally (think defensive basketball) trying to cover as much ground with you're body as possible. It's really hard to guess which way the ball will bounce, just broaden your shoulders and knock the ball down.

That's it. At least from a first timer's stand point.

Just try to keep everything in front of you. Think of yourself as a wall. Stay perpenticular to the action and if something does get bye, don't worry about it. You've got to be ready for the next pitch.

But most of all, have fun.

[BigRed]

Re: Survival tips-Catching

#1. WEAR A CUP!!!!!!!!!

2. If no one is on base keep you're bare hand behind your back in a tight fist. It's easy to get a foul tip off a finger and ruin your season.

3. DO NOT TURN YOUR HEAD ON BALLS IN THE DIRT! This is one of the biggest mistakes a young catcher makes. If the ball hits you in the mask, it won't hurt. If you turn your head and it hits you in the back of the neck (or head) you could really get hurt.

4. Don't try to 'catch' everything. They give you all that equipment for a reason. If the ball's in the dirt, don't reach for it. Slide laterally (think defensive basketball) trying to cover as much ground with you're body as possible. It's really hard to guess which way the ball will bounce, just broaden your shoulders and knock the ball down.

That's it. At least from a first timer's stand point.

Just try to keep everything in front of you. Think of yourself as a wall. Stay perpenticular to the action and if something does get bye, don't worry about it. You've got to be ready for the next pitch.

But most of all, have fun.

[thecomic]

Re: Survival tips-Catching

hey thanks alot.
what about stance? is it best to be on my toes, or more flat footed?
keep in mind, my biggest concern is getting my legs to last throughout the game, I'm 31 years old so that's a serious issue
thanks again.

[thecomic]

Re: Survival tips-Catching

hey thanks alot.
what about stance? is it best to be on my toes, or more flat footed?
keep in mind, my biggest concern is getting my legs to last throughout the game, I'm 31 years old so that's a serious issue
thanks again.

[thecomic]

Re: Survival tips-Catching

hey thanks alot.
what about stance? is it best to be on my toes, or more flat footed?
keep in mind, my biggest concern is getting my legs to last throughout the game, I'm 31 years old so that's a serious issue
thanks again.

[kcscotty]

Re: Survival tips-Catching

I'll second the previous post about now trying to catch everything. It's actually fun to block them once you get used to it.

I wish the knee contraptions were around when I played, too.

Other things.

1. Take control of the game. Know what your pitcher is throwing well and not thowing well. Make sure he knows what you want and where. You do the thinking and let him do the throwing. Think Bull Durham here.

2. Stay focused on score, count, who's on deck and how they have done, and who's on base. Your hitting may suffer from game to game but I found that I had much more fun in that I was involved with the game on every pitch and was able to be integral in the outcome.

3. HAVE FUN!!!!!

[kcscotty]

Re: Survival tips-Catching

I'll second the previous post about now trying to catch everything. It's actually fun to block them once you get used to it.

I wish the knee contraptions were around when I played, too.

Other things.

1. Take control of the game. Know what your pitcher is throwing well and not thowing well. Make sure he knows what you want and where. You do the thinking and let him do the throwing. Think Bull Durham here.

2. Stay focused on score, count, who's on deck and how they have done, and who's on base. Your hitting may suffer from game to game but I found that I had much more fun in that I was involved with the game on every pitch and was able to be integral in the outcome.

3. HAVE FUN!!!!!

[kcscotty]

Re: Survival tips-Catching

I'll second the previous post about now trying to catch everything. It's actually fun to block them once you get used to it.

I wish the knee contraptions were around when I played, too.

Other things.

1. Take control of the game. Know what your pitcher is throwing well and not thowing well. Make sure he knows what you want and where. You do the thinking and let him do the throwing. Think Bull Durham here.

2. Stay focused on score, count, who's on deck and how they have done, and who's on base. Your hitting may suffer from game to game but I found that I had much more fun in that I was involved with the game on every pitch and was able to be integral in the outcome.

3. HAVE FUN!!!!!

[BigRed]

Re: Survival tips-Catching

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
thecomic said:
hey thanks alot.
what about stance? is it best to be on my toes, or more flat footed?
keep in mind, my biggest concern is getting my legs to last throughout the game, I'm 31 years old so that's a serious issue
thanks again.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

As far as stance, try to stay on your toes. Your left foot slightly ahead of your right (assuming you're a righty--not many lefty catchers). It's a defensive stance and allows you to move around more easily. Think of a defensive basketball stance but much lower to the ground. Not a full squat like you're taking a dump in the woods, but a defensive stance.

And since you're an older dude (hah! actually only a couple of years older than I), if there's no one on, take it easy. You don't have to be so aggressive with none on, but being a first timer, it might be better to play as if someone's on all the time.

The only reason I say to take it easy is because you're 31. Not that that's old (at least I hope not), but you're old enough to know how to keep your head in the game.

Anyway, as far as calling the game, you probably won't have to worry about it. From what I understand, this is your first game catching. You probably only have a slight understanding of how to call a game. So, if your coach is not calling pitches from the dugout (most MLB teams do), then you're probably going to have to rely on your pitcher to know what type of pitch to throw. Talk about it before the game.

Just don't let him throw anything he wants to. Some pitchers will do this with an inexperienced catcher. You MUST be on the same page. This is imperative. Let him decide what to throw. Do this by calling whatever you think is right (your gut instinct will be right most of the time), if he doesn't like it he'll shake it off. But it's really important that you know what's coming. Anticipation is the greatest tool of catching.

Oh, AND HAVE FUN!!!!!!

[BigRed]

Re: Survival tips-Catching

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
thecomic said:
hey thanks alot.
what about stance? is it best to be on my toes, or more flat footed?
keep in mind, my biggest concern is getting my legs to last throughout the game, I'm 31 years old so that's a serious issue
thanks again.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

As far as stance, try to stay on your toes. Your left foot slightly ahead of your right (assuming you're a righty--not many lefty catchers). It's a defensive stance and allows you to move around more easily. Think of a defensive basketball stance but much lower to the ground. Not a full squat like you're taking a dump in the woods, but a defensive stance.

And since you're an older dude (hah! actually only a couple of years older than I), if there's no one on, take it easy. You don't have to be so aggressive with none on, but being a first timer, it might be better to play as if someone's on all the time.

The only reason I say to take it easy is because you're 31. Not that that's old (at least I hope not), but you're old enough to know how to keep your head in the game.

Anyway, as far as calling the game, you probably won't have to worry about it. From what I understand, this is your first game catching. You probably only have a slight understanding of how to call a game. So, if your coach is not calling pitches from the dugout (most MLB teams do), then you're probably going to have to rely on your pitcher to know what type of pitch to throw. Talk about it before the game.

Just don't let him throw anything he wants to. Some pitchers will do this with an inexperienced catcher. You MUST be on the same page. This is imperative. Let him decide what to throw. Do this by calling whatever you think is right (your gut instinct will be right most of the time), if he doesn't like it he'll shake it off. But it's really important that you know what's coming. Anticipation is the greatest tool of catching.

Oh, AND HAVE FUN!!!!!!