Can a skinny girl be an effective catcher?

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On a bit of a spin off to this. Do you think a starting pitcher should be a catcher. "DD" is a pitcher and Coach has been working her as a catcher when not pitching. We feel its ok now for scrimmages, but when your playing 4gg on the weekends it's going to be way to much on her legs.

Plus my DD is 12u and is built like that Muscluar Athletic Beast with a Canon that you speak of.

 

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You want a catcher who is quick, smart, fundamentally sound, with great blocking skills, cannon arm, and can play all day in any climate. It doesn't matter if the catcher is short, tall, thick, or thin.

Len

That says it all.

Funny that this thread was revived after a 3 year rest. Went from 2007 to 2010. :lmao:

 

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We must be really bored if we are surfing the 3 year old archives for topics!!! I need to get a life!!!

 

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i want an athlete with a brain for the game quick and a dare you to mentality

 

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I have watched a small catcher for the past 4-5 years, aways one of the smallest on the team, always one that throws hardest, always one of the best bats, and always the fastest period. This girl is less than 5'2" and weights less than 110 of pure muscle, and if you try to take home on her you better bring the other 11 players on the roster because you will need them she will flatten the base runner and dare anybody else to say a word. I could count how many passed balls on one hand that have been her error in that 4-5 years.

 

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On a bit of a spin off to this. Do you think a starting pitcher should be a catcher. "DD" is a pitcher and Coach has been working her as a catcher when not pitching. We feel its ok now for scrimmages, but when your playing 4gg on the weekends it's going to be way to much on her legs.

Plus my DD is 12u and is built like that Muscluar Athletic Beast with a Canon that you speak of.

Let's hear more answers here. What is the accepted opinion of pitchers that catch. My dd just has to be in the mix every play. Pitchers and catchers should be the best athletes on the field. What's the word?

 

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I can't see wanting your starting pitcher to catch.

 

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It depends on the situation. If the game is a must win, then you play your best nine. If that means putting your #2 pitcher in to catch, so be it. If you put your #1 pitcher in to catch in a semi-final game, then ask her to pitch the championship game, there "could" be issues. The scenarios are many......too many to list.

Catching is the most physically demanding position on the field. They're constantly moving up, down, sideways and getting knicked at least a few times a game. Be very careful not to wear your stud pitcher out behind the dish. She might lose her effectiveness in the circle.

Len

 

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If your #2 pitcher is your #1 catcher you either have one stud of a player or your team is lacking in talent. Anyone have or know of a team that has a girl who is a #1 or 2 pitcher AND a #1 or 2 catcher? I would think being 1 or 2 at both those positions on your team says a lot or is it more common then I think?

 

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DD's 12U team has a stud pitcher who is also a phenomenal catcher and center fielder - just an amazing athlete to watch! I have only seen her play in one tournament (as this is our first year playing 12u ) and yes, the girl played all 3 positions in one day - pitched the first game, played center the second game, and split time pitching and catching the 3rd game. IMHO- she is the starting pitcher, starting catcher & starting center fielder

 

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Wow, sounds like she would be fun to watch and nice to have on your side!

 

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I wouldn't want my top 2 pitchers to be catchers, that is just way too risky. Catching is very physically draining and I wouldn't want to wear my pitchers out. I like to have 2 catchers who's first position is to catch, not 2 catchers who are pitchers but are the only ones who can stop the ball. Although I must admit, I like playing those teams!

 

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The catcher on my DD's travel team on about 6' 140lbs, a string bean. She is from Michigan and is by a long way the best defensive catcher I've seen, I hope teams get their leadoff hitter on, because I want to see them try and steal
Never seen an arm like hers, she just snaps her wrist and out comes a rope. She's about as skinny as they come LOL.

 

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I don't really agree that skinny girls should not catch but they may be more useful in other positions because they are more likely to be faster and agile. The skinny girl may get to the fly ball quicker than a bigger girl.

But if she's perfected to be catcher and has a strong sense of leadership as a catcher then by all means encourage her. Mass and strength will come in the later years.

http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-fielding/key-role-of-a-softball-catcher.html

 

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If your #2 pitcher is your #1 catcher you either have one stud of a player or your team is lacking in talent. Anyone have or know of a team that has a girl who is a #1 or 2 pitcher AND a #1 or 2 catcher? I would think being 1 or 2 at both those positions on your team says a lot or is it more common then I think?

i have seen it quite a few times at 10u where you have an athlete that develops before other girls and theres a talent gap not a fan of it though

 

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The catcher on my DD's travel team on about 6' 140lbs, a string bean. She is from Michigan and is by a long way the best defensive catcher I've seen, I hope teams get their leadoff hitter on, because I want to see them try and steal
Never seen an arm like hers, she just snaps her wrist and out comes a rope. She's about as skinny as they come LOL.

what age is she

 

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what age is she

She is 18U, plays for the SGS Magic White and is an absolute beast. She couldnt play with us in the fall, so my first chance to see her was this winter at a few indoor scrimmages and at an indoor tourny. In case you cant tell I was totally impressed lol.

 

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Btw our other catcher is also not a big kid, just an average size 18 year old girl, she is also a top flight catcher.

 

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Regardless of size you have to have all the intangebles physical and mental.
But mainly you have to be tuff!!!!!!

 

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Build has little to do with it. Our catcher last year was as skinny as they come, and she caught 5 games in one day, and 8 over 3 days. Her heart, skill level, and conditioning made it possible. I would in fact be shocked if a bigger girl could hold up as well.