Q60' Throws

Can you help with any suggestions for a freshman college baseball catcher who is struggling to make throws back to the pitcher. Seemingly random loss of control, which usually goes away after a few throws, but it has been a recurring problem for about the last couple of months, in the bullpen. No problems (so far) making the throws to second base, but I am worried that the anxiety and possible embarrassment associated with not being able to make good throws back to the pitcher, will start to affect other areas of this player's game.

ASounds like a scene from the movie Major League II. In truth it isn't just a catcher issue, it's a short throw issue - guys who can throw with confidence 100-130 feet, ease up so much on 40-50 tosses that they lob them. See it all the time on infield plays with one guy at the ball and one guy covering - afraid of throwing too hard I suppose. Try getting him to make the routine throw back from on his knees - his throws will be straighter - more on a level. The idea is to make the throw part of a return routine - more disciplined, more focused, less random.

QArm Strength

I have one player who has excellent catching skills and has attended many camps. I would like to see him play catcher after this season, but he lacks the proper arm strength. Is there anything you might suggest he do to help with this problem? I have already suggested long throwing to him and his father. Do you know of anything else he might do that would help? This kid works very hard to improve himself and would use any help suggested. He also happens to have a cousin who is a catcher for a Div. III school who helps him a bunch. I would appreciate any help you could give me.

ABy "problem with arm strength" I am assuming you mean he isn't getting fast/accurate throws down to second. Sometimes foot/leg mechanics can have more to do with this than arm strength - better reaction time and a quicker shotgun release ( arms quickly into goal post position) might also help.

Sounds like you're doing what you can, though. The pitcher conditioning program using heavy and light baseballs might also work for a catcher - as would general weight training, and perhaps even long toss to low targets to get the body into throws.

By the way, having a DIV III cousin is not always an asset - I find a lot of kids who are good players are not necessarily good teachers - they do what works for their physiology and can't understand why it doesn't work for everyone. (But then we coaches get caught in that trap too, don't we.)

QBlocking at Young Ages

I coach 8-10 youth baseball and I'm trying to develop a young catcher what are some good drills I can have him to do. he has trouble staying balanced, throwing to second. his pluses are he hustles, and has an natural feel for the game.

AOur extensive catching area covers much of this - including the mechanics to be developed.

The important thing at the younger ages is the basic blocking concept & move - work on throwing balls in the dirt from a close range and try to get him to block them with the chest protector - hands behind back. The other important thing to develop early is the slide to each side - lead with hips - and also teach him to ease his hips over so that his body is as square to the pitch as possible - this keep the glove centered and is more likely to get a strike call.

QBlocking with the Body

I am a 16 year old catcher on the JV and Varsity team. What I have problems doing is not blocking the ball properly. What I do a lot is either get on one knee and block it or I will block it at a bad time. Sometimes I even block it right but it will not bounce of my chest and then into the dirt, it will bounce and go off to the sides or something like that. I also think I am not leaning right or having my hands right. Another problem I have is I can't throw down to second fast enough. Once in a while I will get a good throw down and it will be in the right spot but I can't do that constantly over and over. What are some ways I can get better at blocking and popping up to throw down to second.

AFor blocking the most important part is not to worry about the leg work but to focus on squaring your body to the plate. You want to slide to the side and cup forward your shoulders so that the ball drops down right on to the plate. For some catchers that means a kick step out to the side first, for others it means dropping back the opposite side as the hips shift over. Ask someone to work in practice with you on this to see what is best for you. For the throw, the key is the footwork. As with pitching, the more consistent your foot strike - the more consistent the throw will be on target. So again you have to practice the jump step or stride step so that you feet line up the same way each time. Only constant practice will help you determine the foot alignment that works best for your arm action. A couple of pre-game throws won't do it - you need to spend 10-15 minutes each practice.

QCalling for Curve

When a catcher calls for a curve ball should he set up inside where the
pitcher shouLd aim the curve or should he set up out side where the ball is
going to end up?

AThe target (mitt) needs to start out where the pitcher should be throwing.
The body should be set for where the pitch is coming - or else you need to be
prepared to move very quickly on pitch release into that position. The other
option is for the pitcher to know he must start by aiming at your shoulder (say)
and not the mitt, regardless of where he/you want the pitch to end up (i.e.
opposite knee).

QCalls from the bench

Just wondering if you have a good system for coaches to relay to catchers the pitches to call e.g. pitch-outs, fastballs, change-ups, etc.

AWe have seen a number of methods used - touching parts of the face is most common as other parts of the body may be obscured by traffic in the dugout. For instance, chin for curve, with nose, ears for other calls, or simply the number of rubs or pats on the cheek. Others use a variation on the catchers finger signals by holding their hand a certain way on a dugout post. We've also seen amateur coaches who like to sit on the ball bucket at dugout entrance and use the knees like the face signs - inside, outside, or number of taps.

QCatchers as Pitchers

My son is a catcher and very good. He caught on Wednesday the entire game
some 90+ pitches. The very next day the coach held practice and tried him at
pitcher. After practice his arm was on ice because he was in pain from throwing.
Is this good practice to do what the coach did?

AYou know our answer already - a terrible idea. You don't say what age, but it
doesn't matter. At any age catchers need to be on pitch/inning count almost as
much as pitchers. (Most throws back to the pitcher are not at full effort, but
there is a cumulative wear). Your son also needs to be willing to tell his coach
that something is hurting - well before he finishes the bullpen session. Kids
who ignore pain in an effort to please a coach or get a chance at another
position end up hurting their long-term chances. We always want our players to
tell us when they're hurting.

QCreating a Catcher

What is the best way to teach young catchers - ages 9 thru 12?

ACatching is probably one of the more mentally and physically challenging positions on the ball club (the most?).

As for a teaching program - it really is kid-specific. I'd start with crouching and soft glove techniques, then blocking sessions (dry blocks first), then special throwing techniques (beyond the basics of how to throw in GrassRoots), then special fielding situations (i.e. bunts), then signals, field checks, etc.

This is a gradual process, you won't create a good catcher overnight. Make sure your catcher(s) always work with each other or a pitcher in warm-ups (for bonding) and get them involved in BP or infield type practrice not just at the catcher position but at short or third where their reaction times and arms will be challenged.

QDeflecting Pitches

I am reading about catchers and I keep noticing the phrase deflect to throwing hand do not rake. Could you elaborate and explain what you mean by that?

AThe challenge of catching is not simply to block or catch the pitchers throw or to come up quickly to hold runners or catch them stealing - but also to get the call from the umpire. To ensure good calls, you need to give the ump a good view of a catch made behind the strike zone.

What gets complicated when a runner is going is that, like any fielder, you'll have a tendancy to catch with soft hands and bring the ball towards your throwing hand for a quick transfer and release. Unfortunately that pulls (or rakes) the glove away from the strike target area - more likely making the pitch seem like a ball.

You need to work on turning the glove while keeping it in the zone - in other words to deflect the ball to the catching hand - it takes a lot of practice, but it can make a difference in getting those 'put-him-out, throw-him-out' double plays.

QDropped Third

If there is a a base runner on first base and the batter strikes out, and the catcher drops the ball...does the runner have to advance or is the batter out at the plate? Does the catcher throw to first with the runner not advancing or is the batter automatically out?

AWith less than two out, it doesn't matter what the runner does. The batter can only try for first on a dropped third strike if the base is open at the time of the pitch. (He doesn't 'have to advance' but he must be tagged out.)

With two out, the batter can try, assumption: the runner has gone on the pitch. By the way - a wrinkle - if the ball bounces before the catcher receives it - even if he then holds on - it's considered not a catch - same as dropped ball.

QFuture as Catcher

Do youth catchers have a future?

AThere are no guarantees any player can continue in baseball. [Side note from WebBall's Richard Todd: "My son was a youth catcher for a number of years - until his knees gave out. He had felt the signs of soreness but he loved the position too much. Now he couldn't handle it.]

If a catcher experiences arm or knee or any recurring pain, some is normal after physical activity but it could be a sign of a developing problem in the elbow, kneecap, or elsewhere. And that could shorten your future behind the plate.

QHolding onto the Ball

My son is having a horrible time holding onto the ball when he uses a
catcher's mitt. It seems like he either can't get it closed fast enough or can't
hold it closed. He is in 3rd grade catching pitchers throwing either side of 40
mph. He has a regular catcher's mitt, and a first baseman's style catcher's
mitt. The other catchers on the team seem to be able to hold onto the ball with
those same gloves. He is a very good fielder with his regular glove and has no
problems holding onto the ball.

AIt sounds like the glove is too stiff or he does not have the wrist/hand
strength to close it, or he is holding his arm out too stiffly and not absorbing
the catch. Only time will help the first 2 problems, but for the third, make
sure his elbow is flexed and his arm relaxed as the ball comes in - simplest way
to help is to get him to drop his wrist (make it limp) for a split second just
after the pitcher releases and before the ball gets to the plate. This might
break the tension enough to let him catch with a softer hand.

QJust One Catcher

When you're the only catcher is there a limit to how much you can catch

AIt's asking for trouble to have only one player for any position on a ball team - whether you have a high tolerance for pain or not. This is as much for your coach - what if a player does get injured, or is ejected from a game (it can happen) or if he is sick for a day or two from non-baseball causes, or he has extra homework, or a school trip, or some trouble at home that grounds him. Better to have a player ready to sub in who already knows the position. Even if there is a primary catcher, someone else can catch infields, or work in the bullpen with relief pitchers, and just be ready.

QKnee Injury (ACL)

I am 13 years old and usually play catcher. I had arthroscopic knee surgery to reconnect my meniscus to my ACL in Sep.'05. My doctor said that I could catch again but he wouldn't recommend it. I'm trying to decide whether or not to catch in the '06 season. Based on your experience, what do you think I should do?

AThe meniscus are contact/cushioning pads in the knee joint. The ACL is a cross connection within the knee. Both help with stability and mobility. Depending on the specifics of the surgery you had (there are many techniques for repairing meniscus tears) and assuming you followed the proper rehab program... with compression, muscle strengthening, and then movement exercises right up to mini-tramps and wobble boards, you should be pain-free and ready to go. But like your doctor I agree that there is always a risk of recurrence... seldom does a repair job work as well as the original. Plus you need to correct whatever caused the problem in the first place and in this case that might just be overuse in a growing body. The catcher crouch puts extra pressure on the joint. When you go out for baseball make sure you work all the other movements - do sprints, laterals, etc. and feel closely for an sign of pain. If everything feels good then try catching. At even the least sign of pain, ease up on the catching. [As noted under "Safety Info Animations" This is a response that will soon be added to the Safety Center with an animation showing the ACL risks/repair problems.]

QKnee Savers

Can you say something about 'Knee Savers?' Sounds like a great idea to me, but my son's coach says it interferes with developing 'leg strength.'

AHmmm. It's a bit like saying kids should bat without helmets, that way they'll develop the brains to duck.

Considering the abuse that catcher's knees take - I have seen young catchers who don't make it through high school as ballplayers because of knee problems - I just can't buy into the coach's argument. There are lots of other ways to develop leg strength without doing damage at the same time. We recommend Kneesavers. But we also recommend a program of developing better balance and athleticism.

After all, even with a batting helmet on, I still want my hitters to duck. The helmet is no substitute for brains and the KneeSavers don't replace the need to train.

QKnuckle Catcher

I'm a 15 year old catcher. I want to learn to catch a knuckleball. Which drills I can do to practice?

AFirst thing to do is not use a regular catcher's mitt. Get yourself a softball catcher's mitt or perhaps try a first base trapper. Seriously, that's what the pro catchers do on the days they will catch a knuckle hurler. You can also work some fielding drills with reaction balls (the Z-ball - see in the WebBall store) to improve your catching of the unpredictable.

QOther positions?

Where else should catchers play?

Most youth league players are too young to know where they may be best as they develop in the game - and that's most true of catchers. It seems once a coach has found a catcher he is seldom going to let that player spend time at other fielding positions. But every player -especially the catcher - should develop and gain experience at (at least) two positions. Good rotations for other players might be 3rd and left field, second and right, pitcher and center (for instance) - same angle on the batter, different distance). Good rotation for the catcher might be third (same arm strength and ball-handling confidence but less demanding on the knees) or first (for the glove work), but also outfield - to let him get as far away from the heat and dust and dangers of home plate as possible.

QRecovery routine

How does a catcher recover?

AA recommended post-game routine - icing for 20 minutes, jogging to warm up core temp, and good post-game food (fruit like bananas, oranges, and some pasta or grains and protein). If the hurt is well into the next day - that isn't normal at a young age, so get checked out by a doctor or a local specialist in sports medicine (physio, rehab, etc). A problem now could actually be worse than at an older age - young bones, joints, muscles are still developing and may be more prone to deformation or imbalances.

QShoulder Pain

For the last several months, I've been having a real hard time finding a throwing motion, as a catcher, that doesn't absolutely throw my arm out. I don't know exactly what the problem is except that I always get severe pains in the back of my shoulder. Maybe it's just that the area needs to be strengthened or stretched. I would really appreciate any advice you could have. I play ball in div. II and can't seem to find any answers for it.

AI'm not a sports medicine specialist. Without pinpointing the pain or seeing your mechanics, you could be forcing an impingement or pinching a nerve. Whatever you try, don't force it. If the pain is severe and recurring, you should get it checked out. That said...

The biggest mistakes ballplayers make when it comes to conditioning are in 3 areas all of which are important here:

1. Muscle groups must be trained in balance with the opposing group. If the back of the shoulder is hurt, it may be because the front is too powerful.
2. Don't talk about strength - talk power - baseball is an explosive ballistic sport, so whatever conditioning you do for the shoulder must be over the full range of motion, which leads to...
3. All training (except the aerobic base) must be sport-specific. Best for building power in shoulders would be tubing exercises (with the tube fastened to a waist-high bar in front of you) that requires you to contract and extend over the actual range of your throwing motion - which, in the case, of a catcher is traditionally short-arm goal-post style.

Also, consider an adjustment in mechanics to allow more hip torque and more cross-body follow-through - this will let the opposite shoulder come up and back more, which could also take some strain off the back.

QSmelly Distractions

My son was wondering, if while catching and he lets a loud and smelly fart go, can the umpire call it a distraction to the batter? I never thought that can be a rule in a Little League game.

ASounds like it was more a distraction to the umpire. In fact, the batter can request "time", the umpire can call time - under 5.10(c) "When an accident incapacitates a player or an umpire;" but there is no penalty attached. It seems obvious to me that an 'accident' occurred. But did it incapacitate anyone?

Or you could look at it from the other side... 6.02(a) "Umpires will not call 'Time' at the request of the batter or any member of his team once the pitcher has started his windup or has come to a set position even though the batter claims 'dust in his eyes', 'steamed glasses', 'didn't get the sign' or for any other cause." I have to believe that letting one go might definitely fall in the 'steam' category. I'd call those distractions to the batter and they don't stop the pitch.

Then again, maybe it's best if the catcher in question consider a change in position, say, to right fielder - good choice when the prevailing wind is blowing out of the park. Might even give new meaning to a 'can of corn'.

QStubborn Teammates

I'm a catcher. I would like to know your advice for stubborn teammates. I am always trying to encourage them and give advice, but they never seem to listen. What should I do?????

ABecome a coach. They still won't take your advice but at least that won't surprise you!

Seriously, leadership is a quality that grows with time and experience. WebBall will be adding new pages on 'how to coach' - that won't solve your problems but may point you in the right direction.

Obviously the fact that you are trying to show leadership means you're suited to the mental role of catcher (see new content in this section). Keep one thing in mind though, there's a big difference between encouragement and advice. Everybody appreciates hearing 'good job; nobody likes the 'but' that follows. So encourage always, but leave advice to when it's asked for.

QThrow Down Stats

I was looking at the Norms page and noticed in the 13-14 age group a catcher's glove-to-glove has been submitted with a time of 1.84. That's a major league time by a 13-14 year old!! WOW!! I'd love to talk to the coach of that kid and find out what kind of drills he's been doing with that young man to get a time like that. If your system captures the e-mail address of the person that submitted that time could you pass my e-mail on to him and see if he'd contact me?? I'm the father/coach of 2 catchers, 9 & 15yr and would love to swap drills.

AAnd what I'm about to tell you could be even more of a kick - that "star" stat (like most on the Player Norms page) is actually based on several submissions from all over the country and other than one at 3.04, most are in the 1.5 to 2 range. I personally have coached a catcher (who was also a pitcher) close to that range - his ability came clearly from a high % of fast-twitch muscle - he could get his legs under him in about 2/10 of a second and fired entirely with his elbow and wrist.
Few coaches would send players against him, fewer still succeeded - even at all-star level. Contrary to the current trend to big, power-hitting catchers, he was short, slight-build, with exquisite mechanics and a great deal of practice under his belt. Keys to the mechanics - the scissor action of the legs from square to the plate to throwing position, balanced on the balls of his feet, soft glove drawn back to the throwing side, elbows up quickly to shoulder height, shotgun throwing style (elbow/wrist), and a frozen-rope throw (all the way or one bounce) that demands a pitcher with the smarts to hit the dirt.

A follow up thought, however. As the disclaimer on Player Norms says - the stats are only as good as the people sending them in. And in thinking back, I can't tell you how honest my timing was. By the way, if we're talking 13-14 age then in some necks of the woods, we aren't talking 127' distance - the bases are only 80' apart - so 113'. Plus the measured time should be "pop" time - from pop into catcher's glove to pop into second base glove.

QThrows to Pitcher

Is it safe to throw the ball back to the pitcher from the knees?

AIt depends. With nobody on base and an arm that isn't sore, no reason not to throw from the knees. However, if you throw back from your knees because you automatically drop to them on every pitch, then you should realize that that tendancy may cause you to lose some close strike calls from the umpire - better to stay locked in the legs-flared position then get up after the strike call to throw back. Of course, with runners on base, never drop to the knees, never throw back from the knees. And in the case if a sometimes sore arm, it may be from using too much arm and not enough body in the throwing motion whether to the pitcher or to second base. Make a habit of getting up just to work on lower body mechanics (less arm effort).

QToo much play

How much play is too much?

AFor a youth league catcher, two games a week is not too many, depending on what happens in the games. If the other team is aggressive on the basepaths or even if the temperature is just hotter than normal (for instance), some games can take more out of a catcher and so the recovery period between games will be longer and harder. At youth ages. a catcher should be able to bounce back in a couple of days, but that is with some good conditioning and eating habits now so that he continues to bounce back as he get older.

QWrapping Knees

I'm 13 years old, I'm a catcher, and I wrap my knees to catch. It makes my legs feel stronger especially when they are sore. Is that the right thing to do?

AAt your age you shouldn't need to do that. First start working on some power and strength exercises for your legs. Second you might look at getting those padded blocks called Knee Savers. But if you have persistent pain at your age, then get it checked by a physiotherapist. And perhaps consider a season at some position other than catching.