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challenge your catcher to pick up a hitters weakness,,,, Im betting youd be surprised at what they can pick up on
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Our catchers do live hitting practice all the time and we talk about picking out weaknesses in swings, stances, positioning in the box, and counts among many other situations. They are very capable of doing it if you teach them. That is like saying that a pitcher is afraid to step on the mound with a full count and bases loaded. It is a situation in a game that some players thrive on, I know many catchers who love the tough situations.
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McQueen, Klump, and bouldersdad all make valid points.... it's a preference and strategy position as to whom makes the calls, who misses what, and so on. I too agree that if the catcher can... they should call the game. I've also played with coaches that would never have that occur. Same for me at the plate with batters... they should be able to read the defense, know the count, know where the runners are, and adjust their approach to that at-bat. Time, smarts, ability, and coaching all sum up that to being possible or not. Lots of weakness can be found in a batter as they step into the box and the pitch signal is delivered to the pitcher. I agree, challenge them. As a catcher myself, I called quite well but it took me some time to get it all figured out and with a good pitcher.... it can be fun!!!!
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I have always felt that a coach calling pitches from the bucket is very crucial to the development of a good catcher and pitcher. I also agree that a pitch caller has a different vantage point and more time to recognize weaknesses in a swing that a catcher may not recognize as she is busy tracking, catching the ball and scanning the baserunners. I have one pitcher this year that is adament about not having a coach call pitches and it worked out fine over the fall so I am going to allow it with her. Our philosophy last year was to mix it up...if a coach was calling a bad game we would turn it over to the catcher and if the catcher was calling a bad game we would turn it over to the pitch caller. IMO the key is to make sure all three departments are stong...As long as the catchers, pitchers and coaches all fully understand how to read hitters weaknesses then I think a pitch caller is the way to go. Lets not forget that a pitcher has the final say if she really disagrees with whats coming in...all she has to do is shake that pitch off.
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Sorry coaches, but I believe a catcher should call most of the pitches...starting around age 12 or 13. If a catcher cannot call a game by then, maybe they should not be catching. Very good catchers should have a brain as well as physical ability. Of course, a coach should have the ability to call a pitch when they feel the need, and should have signals for doing so.
Catchers should soak in everything the see, both directly and peripherally. Good catchers notice just about everything concerning the hitter; her set-up in the box, the bend or straightening of the waist, the timing of the swing, the hitters reaction to certain pitches and pitch location, and the path of the hands and barrel. A good catcher should make mental notes about each hitter.
A coach in the dugout does not have a better view of the hitter than the catcher. I've been on both sides of the fence; I had a much better feel about a hitter from behind the dish than from the dugout. A good catcher can actually "feel" whether the hitter is passive or aggressive. A good catcher can literally hear a hitter breathe, especially when the hitter feels stressed. That's just stuff you can't pick up from the dugout.
Most coaches call pitches, not because they think their catchers would do a horrible job, but because they do not want to relinquish control. Let the little birds fly coaches! You might be surprised how focused and confident your catcher really is....
Len
Catchers should soak in everything the see, both directly and peripherally. Good catchers notice just about everything concerning the hitter; her set-up in the box, the bend or straightening of the waist, the timing of the swing, the hitters reaction to certain pitches and pitch location, and the path of the hands and barrel. A good catcher should make mental notes about each hitter.
A coach in the dugout does not have a better view of the hitter than the catcher. I've been on both sides of the fence; I had a much better feel about a hitter from behind the dish than from the dugout. A good catcher can actually "feel" whether the hitter is passive or aggressive. A good catcher can literally hear a hitter breathe, especially when the hitter feels stressed. That's just stuff you can't pick up from the dugout.
Most coaches call pitches, not because they think their catchers would do a horrible job, but because they do not want to relinquish control. Let the little birds fly coaches! You might be surprised how focused and confident your catcher really is....
Len
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Agreed, a catcher is your field general......... she should control the pace of the game, and be able to find weakness,s in the oppposing offense and help exploite them
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I couldn't agree more Lenski!! Calling the pitches for them doesn't help in their development, it takes away. If they know what to look for, they can read a batter like a book. If you were a college coach and had a choice between a stud catcher who can call her own game and a stud who couldn't, who would you take? The more they know the better they are.
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Agree with Lenski...when my DD was given the opportunity to call her own games last year (age 13), she became much more engaged in the game (pitch count, situations, batter's strengths/weaknesses) and even more interested in the position. Give them some responsibility and they will learn and respond! I appreciate her coach giving her that opportunity...made her a better catcher.
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The catcher needs to work a few hours in the gym working on her vertical jump to snag those wild rise balls........lol
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You aren't kidding!!
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I guess it depends how old they are; my DD is 16 and used to pitch. She is not afraid to call junk when behind in the count. She also spots the holes in the swing based on the type of stance, where they are in the box, and their hand position. You see all that before the pitch is made. If you want your catchers to be good, you have to train them to recognize these things. When they call the wrong thing point it out to them. If you don't let them do it they will never learn...