Coach Dons' Drill Page

Catching Page

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A third major defensive skill is catching. This includes catching a thrown ball, catching a grounder hit off a bat, and catching a fly ball.Initially, some players will be afraid of catching a baseball. That fear will make them flinch right before the ball reaches the glove. They'll end up dropping the ball instead of catching it, or, worse, the ball may hit them. By that time, they may be ready to quit.

Teaching players the correct catching technique is not easy. You must first over come their fear of getting hit by a hard ball. That's why it's so much better to start kids with safety balls that don't hurt. Players can miss the ball, even get conked on the head with it, and not wind up with a big bump and bruise. When your players have mastered catching the safety ball, you can introduce easy catching with a regulation baseball.

To catch a baseball, the player should position the glove according to the flight of the ball. If the ball is below the waist, the fingers and the palm of the glove hand should be pointed down with the mitt fully open. If the ball is chest high, the fingers and the palm of the glove should be pointing out, with the thumbs pointing to the sky. If the ball is above the chest, the fingers point toward the sky.In all catching attempts, a player should :

1. keep eyes on the ball
2. have both hands ready, with arms relaxed and extended towards the ball
3. bend the elbows to absorb the force of the throw
4. watch the ball into the glove and squeeze it.
5. After the catch, the player should immediately grip the ball with the throwing hand in the correct overhand throwing technique.

CATCHING PITCHERS

The catcher's position is the most demanding in baseball. During the course of a game, the catcher is the busiest player on the field-crouching behind the plate, blocking balls, keeping track of the count on each batter, repositioning teammates defensively, and so on. So select a sturdy, smart, and strong youngster to be your catcher.A catcher's mitt is padded and rounded so that the ball easily lands in the pocket. The extra padding also helps ensure the safety of the player using the glove.

Basic Position:The catcher assumes a comfortable crouching position about 2 feet behind the plate. The catcher uses his glove to give the pitcher a throwing target. The catcher can move the target around the plate to give the pitcher an inside or outside target. Have catchers protect the throwing hand from foul-tipped balls by placing it behind the back of the leg.With the legs shoulder-width apart, the catcher keeps the weight on the balls of the feet so he is ready to move in any direction for a poorly thrown ball. Staying low helps the catcher avoid being hit by the swing of the batter and allows the umpire to see the baseball as it crosses the plate.When a ball is pitched in the dirt, the catcher should try to block the ball and keep it in front of the body.

Throwing out Base Runners:With runners on base, your catcher should be in the up position; Feet shoulder-width apart and the right foot slightly in front of the left. The glove hand should be extended away form the body, providing a large target. The back should remain parallel to the ground. This position will allow your catcher to receive the pitch and throw to a base quickly. When a runner attempts a steal, the catcher should lean into the ball just before catching it, making sure not to come forward too soon, which could lead to an interference call if the batter swings and hits the catcher.While catching the ball, the catcher should quickly move the glove-side leg forward into the throwing position , rotate the shoulders parallel to the batter's box, and bring the glove hand near the ear, where it should meet the throwing hand. The catcher can make the throw by transferring weight from the back leg to the front leg, rotating the shoulder, and following through. The follow-through involves bringing the throwing hand to the opposite knee while stepping towards second base with the throwing-side leg.

Thanks To John Saunders

Our catcher is our "field general." The catcher is the only player who has everything in front of him. He has to have courage to take the foul-tips off his body and to stand his ground for the collisions at home plate. He has to be able to communicate with the other players, so he can tell them where to throw the ball. The catcher is the most important defensive position on the field. If you have a good catcher, you can have a good team defense.

The Catcher's Equipment

The catcher's equipment is sometimes called the "tools of ignorance," but nothing could be further from the truth. The catcher must be one of the smartest players on the field, but since his job is also the one with the most danger, he gets some special protection.

• Shin guards
• Chest protector
• Helmet Mask and throat guard
• Protective cup (required)
• Catcher's Mitt

The Sign-Giving Position

• Wrap the glove hand around left knee to hide the sign from the third base coach.
• Point your knees at the pitcher to keep the first and third base coaches from looking in and stealing your signals.
• Keep your right hand held deep in your crotch, so no one can see the sign except your pitcher and middle infielders (second base and short stop).
• Don't have your fingers so low that they can be seen by the opposition. Make sure the hitter isn't looking back trying to steal the signal.

How to Get the Proper Distance From the Batter

You need to be far enough behind the batter so you don't get hit with the bat and called for catcher's interference. If the batter hits the catcher with the bat while swinging, it is called catcher's interference, and the batter is awarded first base. You need to be as close to the batter as you can get without getting hit with the bat. When the catcher is close to the batter it allows the umpire to get a good look at the pitch. A good catcher who is set up close to the batter can steal some of those borderline pitches for his pitcher (get them called strikes when they may have been balls) by framing them for strikes. A good rule of thumb on how to set up is: You should almost be able to reach up and touch the batters back elbow with your catchers mitt.

The Receiving Position Stance With No Runners On Base

After giving the sign, the catcher assumes the receiving position. With no one on base and if the batter isn't a threat to bunt, you can catch in whatever position you feel most comfortable in. We call this our primary stance. Feet are shoulder width apart. With no one on base, I want your "meat hand" (the one without the glove on it) to be held behind your back with your thumb folded inside the other fingers, so you don't catch a foul tip off of it. Catching arm should be outside of the knee. Catching arm should be out in front with the elbow slightly flexed (not fully extended and not in right next to your chest protector).

The Receiving Position Stance With Runners On Base

With runners on base or a bunting threat at home plate, we have to be in position to field the bunt or make a throw to get the runner trying to steal. We call this our secondary stance. Feet wider than shoulder width. Weight up on the balls of the feet. Right toes about even with left instep. Legs parallel to the ground. Butt up and stay low to give the umpire a good view of the pitch. The meat hand now comes up (with thumb still folded inside the other fingers) to a position just beside the right edge of the mitt. Make sure you catch the ball before you try to throw it. Remember the position you're playing is CATCHER.

Framing A Pitch

Framing the pitch is the art of catching the borderline pitch (a pitch that could be called a ball or a strike) so that it gets called a strike for your pitcher. Framing is a short, fluid move back into the middle of the body with the glove after you have caught the ball.

Blocking The Pitch in the Dirt

We do not expect our catcher to catch every low ball in the dirt, but we do expect him to block them so they don't get through to the backstop letting runners advance.

• Technique for blocking the low pitch right in front of you
• Fall to your knees.
• Glove into the ground like a "pitch fork."
• Meat hand behind glove.
• Relax your chest.
• You are not trying to catch the ball, you are trying to block it.
• Your chest protector acts as your glove
• Keep your body square to the ball.
• Hunch your shoulder forward.
• Keep your chin down, so the ball doesn't fly up and hit you in the throat.
• Direct all balls back toward home plate Keep the ball in front of you! If it's in front of you, you can still make a play.
• Technique for blocking the ball in the dirt inside or outside
• Jab step with the near-side foot
• Drive off the opposite leg Stay low Get "around" the ball
• Direct the ball back towards home plate

How to Field Pop Fouls

The important thing to remember is the idea of "infield drift". What this means is that any foul ball will tend to drift back toward the infield.

Technique for fielding foul balls

• Find the foul ball.
• Turn your back to the infield.
• Throw your mask far enough away so that you don't trip over it. (Don't laugh, it's happened even to major leaguers!)
• RELAX ! You've got more time than you think.
• Raise your mitt above your chin.
• Catch the ball with two hands above your chin. Do not catch it "basket style" in front of your waist.
• Your elbows and knees act as shock absorbers to give a little when you make the catch.

How to Field Bunts

• How to Field Bunts down third base line

We have two options on bunts down the third base line.

• Small jab step with left foot go out and round off the ball. Get your plant foot (right foot) behind the ball, scoop and throw.
• Head directly toward the ball. Get your right foot over the ball. Spin toward first base and make the throw.
• How to Field Bunts back toward the mound (but a ball that the catcher can get to)
• Head straight out toward the ball.
• Round off the ball when you get to it.
• Square up to first base.
• Make the throw.
• How to Field Bunts down the first base line
• Head straight toward ball.
• Scoop the ball up.
• Either step into the infield to get a better angle on the throw or step into foul territory to get a better angle on the throw.
• You must make sure you don't hit the runner with the throw.

When to Scoop the Bunt into Glove vs. When to Barehand the Ball

Team rule: If the bunt is rolling, I want you to scoop it up into your glove with your bare hand (glove hand and bare hand work together). If the bunt has stopped rolling, I want you to think of either a "cork screw" or a "pitch fork" as you "screw" it or "fork" it into the ground as you pick it up with your bare hand.

The Drills

Foul Ball Drill: Improves catchers' abilities to react quickly to pop-ups.

The catcher assumes the crouched position while a coach or player, standing directly behind the catcher , throws a pop fly . The catcher first turns his back to the field , locates the ball , discards the mask and makes the catch with two hands .***NOTE***{The catcher should not take off the mask until they have located the foul ball and is in position to catch it . A catcher who takes the mask off to early may trip over it }.

Catcher Tracking Drill

With the coach 10' - 15' in front of the catcher, the coach softly throws balls to either side, in the dirt, etc. The catcher practices "tracking" the pitched ball. That is, staying with the pitch. It is important to emphasize blocking the ball first, keeping shoulders square with the ball, and generally using proper technique. Keeping the ball in front of him is always the most important aspect. Later practice throws to first, second, and third can be incorporated. It is not surprising that with improved tracking, allot of balls that would that would have been blocked before, are not only blocked, but now caught. The overall defensive package that is that catcher will be greatly improved.

Sent by: Endmillsa1@aol.com

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