Catching and Catchers discussion yips- is there a cure!

[default]

been catching 5 years, all the sudden daughter is having trouble getting back to the pitcher. other throws are okay but still not up to capabilities- has anyone ever dealt with this please help me!

 

[default]

First thing I would look for is physical discomfort or pain. May not be to her throwing arm, but could be affecting her motion. Secondly has she done anything to change her motion, or is someone coaching her to make changes. If neither of these are causing the problem, then my next step is to look for effort and concentration. If she has been at it for 5 years, and suddenly having problems, my bet is she is dealing with some type of pain or injury.

 

[default]

It happens to the pros too...

RedHawks catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia would be back in the major leagues if he didn't have a problem throwing the ball - not to an infielder, but back to his pitcher.

In Salty's last game, Tuesday night at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, 12 of his throws back to the pitcher landed either short of the mound or in center field. He had five errant throws in the first inning alone.

"He's just got to keep playing until he gets it right," RedHawks manager Bobby Jones said. "I don't know what else to do. It's a shame. It's definitely what's keeping him here. He's blocking the ball well and swinging the bat well. He's just got to figure it out. It's a shame."

It's a shame for a variety of reasons, including Saltalamacchia's strong work ethic and solid attitude.

"Jarrod's the first one here (at The Brick) every day," Jones said. "You can count on it."

Saltalamacchia can be counted on for getting hits as well. He has a 16-game hitting streak and has been on base in all 17 RedHawks games he's played.

He has a robust .359 batting average, .417 on-base percentage and .578 slugging percentage.

"I feel comfortable," Salty said. "I feel comfortable at the plate and I feel comfortable behind the plate. So it's just whenever they want me back up there."

The Rangers will want Saltalamacchia as soon as he solves his throws-to-the-pitcher problem.

Texas farm director Scott Servais, a former major league catcher, has devised a throwing program for Saltalamacchia. He works with Jones and pitching coach Terry Clark before every game.

"It's just a matter of him figuring it out. He's working on it," Jones said. "He's doing everything he can to get it done. He's a great kid. He's working hard. He's not shying away from it. He's out there every day working on it, and hopefully one of these days it'll sink in."

Saltalamacchia said, "Everything feels good. My throws have been good down to second. We've been working on different arm angles, getting on top of the ball more rather than getting on the side. So everything's going smoothly and we'll see where it goes."

Saltalamacchia's throwing problems arose last year, prompting Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (shoulder) surgery in September. A rib was removed on his right side.

More health problems popped up this year, when he was treated for soreness in his upper left back.

"It has nothing to do the other injury," Saltalamacchia said. "That was on the other side. But the doctors did think that it had a lot to do with the surgery (on the right shoulder). They thought that with my recovery I kind of rushed back from it, and so that might have a lot to do with it."

Salty's throwing problems last year were related to numbness in his right shoulder. The numbness has gone away.

"Everything's perfect. Everything feels good," Saltalamacchia said. "The pain's gone, so it's just a day to day thing right now."

 

[default]

I watched Saltamachhia play live in a game in Tacoma last week. I knew who he was, but didn't know he had that problem. It was bizarre.

A catcher in our league also has that problem. She's fine throwing down to second, but has to walk the ball halfway to the pitcher and underhand it to her every time someone is on base. Since they can make a throw to second and other throws, it seems to me it has to be a mental thing.