Tips on being a good catcher?
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Can anybody give me anything about Jackie Robinson other than he broke the color line in baseball?
ith this information you will be able to throw more runners out, catch and block pitches in the dirt and catch foul balls more effectively!Steps
1. To catch balls, you must always keep your eye on the ball. Open your glove and it will naturally align with the ball.
2. You must act quick to throw runners out at base. Once the ball is in your glove, throw it quickly and as straight as possible. Be sure not to hit the pitcher; discuss the scenario beforehand with the pitcher, shortstop and second baseman to be sure everyone knows their correct placement.
3. To block pitches in the dirt, get on your knees and put your glove between your legs. Once it hits your protection, grab the ball.
4. To catch foul balls you must first take off your helmet. Practice doing this quickly before games. Keep your eye on the ball, run below it and let it fall into your glove.
5. Always keep your butt off your legs when in the receiving positon. The use of Knee Savers, cusions that help you stay in the positon, may help.
6. Pass balls will happen, they're part of the game. When a ball gets past you with no runners on, don't freak out. However, if there are men on, be sure to get the ball quickly and be ready to throw out a stealing runner. If a ball gets past you with a man on third, run to the backstop. DO NOT REMOVE YOUR HELMET! It wastes valuable time. Drop to your knees and pick up the ball. The pitcher should be guarding the plate, awaiting your throw. Make sure your throw is accurate, or more runs could score.
Tips
* When the runner is stealing, stand up as the ball lands in your glove and quickly throw the ball down. Don't wind up as much as you normally would, as this takes precious seconds. Come from the side of your ear and shoot the ball quickly forward, keeping it relatively low and guided to the correct baseman.
* Keep an eye out with a runner at first. You can get a well needed pickoff if you can catch a leading runner sliding back to first. You can also do this at third sometimes.
Warnings
* Be ready for foul-tips that come right back at you with increased speed. Stay planted and aware of the ball's position so you don't allow base runners to advance.
* If a runner is heading home and you have the ball, be ready for a 1 on 1 with him. His goal is to knock the ball out of your glove. Keep it safely in your glove and be sure to tag the runner as he approaches!
What was the longest at bat ever?
you got to focus on the ball, but you have to have a good arm. you have to be able to reach 2nd by gunning someone down if there stealing. I am a catcher its pretty funWho batted 3rd on the 1927 yankees baseball team?
Characteristics of a Catcher:1. Leadership = Field General
the catcher is the only player that sees everything in front of him
directs the infield play
inspirer of confidence = always positive
2. Physical Strength & Durability
catching is the second most demanding position on the field
3. Quickness and Agility
must be agile for shifting for pitches, fielding bunts, and catching pop- ups
4. Good Throwing Arm
a strong arm and quick release are essential
Physical requirements:
1. Strong arm (flight time)
2. Fast reflexes (throwing/release time)
3. Get the ball to the bases quickly and accurately
4. Ability to catch and block the ball
5. Headwork (thinking) behind the bat:
a. signaling pitches
b. directing infield plays
c. study style, stance, and swing of batter to discover weaknesses
Throwing:
1. Grip - fingers spread, across the seams
2. Footwork - throw off the right foot; weight balanced; left foot guides and points directly toward target
3. Arm - follow through; shoulders level; poor accuracy usually is caused by poor footwork; return the ball to the pitcher firmly, close to the pitcher’s shoulder; the throw to second base is just a longer version of the throw to the pitcher
Catching Position:
1. Stance - right foot even with the instep of the left foot; toes pointed out slightly
2. Low, relaxed position:
a. arms extended, elbows slightly bent, outside of your knees
b. thighs parallel to the ground
c. glove hand should have the thumb up
d. meat hand should be behind your back with nobody on base; with men on base, it should be behind the mitt
3. Frame the strike zone
one of the most important skills is that of framing the strike zone
the catcher’s receiving hand or glove should always curl towards the strike zone, not away
it should be a curl or slight turn of the wrist, NOT a quick pull or jerking motion
Signals:
1. Position - right hand inside of thigh; elbow against your body
2. Glove hand - arm resting on left thigh; glove blocking third base coach; knees turned in slightly
3. With men on base, give three signals using an indicator
4. May use the glove or parts of the body for signals
Dirt Balls:
1. Head down
2. Shoulders square
3. Meat hand behind the glove
4. Cover the opening between your legs
5. Round, concave chest
6. Dive, if necessary
Pitch Outs:
1. Use on an attempted steal or squeeze play
2. When the pitch is to the right (outside) of the plate, step with your right foot to receive the pitch and then toward the pitcher with the left guide foot
3. When the pitch is to the left (inside), step with the left foot to receive the pitch, swing the right foot behind and then stride with the left guide foot towards the base
4. When the runner is trying to score:
a. get your feet in position
b. catch the ball
c. make the tag with both hands
YOU MUST BE SURE TO DO IN THIS ORDER
Runner on First Base Only:
1. Watch the base coach to pick up signals; possible steal
2. Go forward on all bunts; if the third baseman fields the bunt, continue on to third to cover the base
Runner on Second Base:
1. Pick off the runner if he loafs back to second or drops his head on the return of the ball to the pitcher
2. On a missed bunt attempt, with a runner caught between second and third base, fake a throw and then run straight at the runner
Runners on First and Second Base:
1. May have a better chance of throwing out the runner from first
2. A bad throw could mean a run
Runners on First and Third:
1. Take a quick look to third and then throw to second
2. Fake your natural throwing motion to second, right yourself and throw to third
3. Use throwing motion to second but high; the pitcher catches, pivots, looks to third, pivots and looks to second
Pop-Ups:
1. If on infield, help to call the correct infielder
2. If behind the plate, know the wind, sun, lights, etc.:
a. the ball arcs back toward the infield so turn with back to infield
b. hold your mask and find the ball
c. throw your mask far away, especially on windy days
d. catch the ball and look for a play
Bunts:
1. Field with your mitt in front of the rolling ball
2. Pick up the ball with BOTH hands; scoop it against the mitt
3. Footwork - clear the runner before throwing
Dropped Third Strike:
1. Clear the runner to the inside and make the throw
2. If the ball goes to the screen, clear to the outside and throw
Know Your Pitchers:
1. Wild areas for curveball and fastball
2. Mix your calls; no patterns; get ahead of the hitters
3. When in a jam, go to the strength of the pitcher
Mental Alertness - Things to Keep in Mind:
1. Keep the pitcher informed:
a. position of runners
b. number of outs
c. pitcher covering first on ball hit to right side of infield
2. Game situation:
a. score
b. inning
c. number of outs
d. strength of hitter
3. Strengths and alertness of pitcher
4. Wind direction and speed
5. Sun location
6. Conditions of base paths
Tips for the Catcher:
1. Take charge; be the “quarterback”
2. Check your fielders and see if they are in position
3. Give the pitcher a good target
4. Learn your pitchers’ most effective pitch
5. Always be alert with runners on base
6. Back up first base when the bases are unoccupied on batted ball
7. Align infielders for cut-off plays at the plate
8. Study the hitter’s stance and remember his prior at bats
Is roberto alomar hall of fame material?
Have a good realtionship with the pitcher. get him to trust you. and u gotta block everything and u HAVE to have a "shotgun" for an arm.you don't have to have a shotgun for an arm you just have to have quick feet and a quick release i don't have a strong arm but i will throw you out i hve been stolen on once in my life.
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