Team defense.. catcher

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I will have to admit that I am very surprised by the lack of defensive plays I have seen this year that have been made by the catcher. We have played some of the best teams in central Ohio (and beyond) that seem genuinely surprised by various pickoff plays where many resulted in the runner being called out.

At two "showcases" this summer, my catchers (yes, more than 1) threw runners out on every base. In one game, the catcher threw out base runners at 1st, 2nd and at 3rd - with the bases loaded and two outs on the play at 3rd. I've had more than one college coach comment that they wished they could see more of those plays at 16 and 18U.

Is this a dying art? Creative defensive plays that are practiced weekly and excecuted in every game? If not, you are really missing an important part of your defense (which is ok with me btw).

JMHO (just my humble observation)

 

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that Explosion catcher was the best I saw this year, she threw out 2 runners, one being my DD in ITB on second base @Compuware. wow, what an arm. We kept trying to do something like that with the 3 of our catchers to no avail.

maybe it is something to do with the lack of practices for some teams, and maybe just a lack of arms for other teams. Sometimes we had it, other times we had so many stolen bases against us you would have thought there was a conga line.

from what i gather from the Explosion catcher, she does that in high school all the time, so for her, i'm sure it's just a matter of skill.

 

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Well, doesn't it start with whether you have a cannon back there or not? Why waste throwing the ball around if you don't have a 1.8 pop type arm back there(and with accuracy).

Our catcher has strong and accurate arm and has often ended the opposing teams inning by throwing out a runner stealing 2nd base with a runner on 3b as it's become a FACT that if they run, she will gun. A GREAT defensive weapon.

Johnies,,,, I agree that defenses should be aggressive, but how many great arms are out there and how many teams actually practice those situations weekly????

 

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TT, we practice it weekly and the payoff is enormous. Trust me on that.

For stolen bases, it is a quick release and accuracy. When the runners are on base, it is execution by every player on the field. I am not talking about runners stealing bases... I am talking about picking off base runners that already have the base.

 

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I have to toot my kids horn but she has thrown out a bunch of kids in 12u this year. In one game she threw out a kid leading off on third after a called third and even stumped the ump. Runner standing off the bag about 2 or three feet and the fielder had to show him the ball in her glove to get the call. Shee understands on a drop k with runner on first to throw to second to get the second out. These kids can do it if you let them play and dont tie their hands. Teach them and set them free, they will suprise you.

 

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I think it is a lack of imagination from the coaches. If you are picking off baserunners left and right, than somone is not teaching their baserunners very well. A really good catcher will have some nice plays and pick some runners off but if they are getting runner after runner, someone needs to start working with their runners.

 

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Our catchers are constantly picking runners off. Nothing like stealing momentum by picking off a lead off batter that singled or a runner on 3rd with bases loaded.

 

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TT, we practice it weekly and the payoff is enormous. Trust me on that.

For stolen bases, it is a quick release and accuracy. When the runners are on base, it is execution by every player on the field. I am not talking about runners stealing bases... I am talking about picking off base runners that already have the base.

I hear you, my example was simply similar in the fact that we KNOW we will make that play, as too many teams don't make that throw with 2 outs. To us, it's almost an automatic out as you are saying, if you practice those situations it's routine.

However, my assumptions are teams aren't practicing them enough and to make it harder, not many have a great arm behind the plate to make it worth it either. Quick Release is part of the 1.8 pop mentioned.

 

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I think it is a lack of imagination from the coaches. If you are picking off baserunners left and right, than somone is not teaching their baserunners very well. A really good catcher will have some nice plays and pick some runners off but if they are getting runner after runner, someone needs to start working with their runners.

Shhhhhh!!!! ;&

 

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1.8 vs the element of surprise.... you would be "surprised". lol

 

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There is a girl in our rec league who is an absolute beast behind the plate. Saw her in tournaments this weekend pick off a couple runners at first. Boy were those girls taking MUCH smaller leads after that. And this girl is still 10u travel eligible next season. Not to mention, she impresses me because she always hands the other team's players their bats. She's going to be tough to beat in a couple years.

 

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Our 12u catcher is outstanding, no one steals unless Short Stop makes the error. she throws to second from her knees the ball never gets higher then 5 feet and hits the bag almost every time. Everyone that has seen her play, tells us she is the best catcher they have seen play.

And she and dad fought me tooth and nail when I decided to make her a catcher at 9yo.

 

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My catchers stink so feel free to lead off and steal all you want...;&

Just kidding Squirrel!!!

 

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our team has 2 catchers that can hang. both are brick walls behind the plate, one has a better arm than the other but both are bailing for nationals. what a shame!!!!!

 

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During the KFC World Cup, Michelle Smith commented about catcher's not getting the proper training and encouraged the young ones to find catching instruction.

 

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I know in the 10u this year there are alot of good catchers

 

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our team has 2 catchers that can hang. both are brick walls behind the plate, one has a better arm than the other but both are bailing for nationals. what a shame!!!!!

In HS my DD was encouraged by her coaches to take the runners off the bases. She was encouraged to call her game with her Pitcher and they had a succesful season - Hopefully it continues in her Senior Year. -

But coming from a catchers DAD its not all about the Catchers Arm. Sure its nice to have a cannon but I would rather have accuracey and assistance. You don't need to have a gun to take runners off the bags. Things a good catcher needs to take runners off the bases. A small list - but props to all who help the catcher look good.

1. A Solid pitcher who can throw hard and hit her spots. You can have the best arm in the world but if your chasing the ball or waiting for it to come good luck against a speedster. (is that a word) (Mckenna, Sammy)
2. Coaches calling pitches that don't help the catcher make the play.
3. Corners who indicate to Catcher runner distanced from bag (Sammy), The wink, the nod ect. Catchers you know what I am talking about.
4. Corners who know how to lay the tag down.(Kailey, Sammy)
5. Shortstops who are flawess in taking the throw down - not making the Catcher wait to fire ( or giving Confidence to catcher - knowing she will be there when the ball gets there (Nicki)

As far as Nationals I won't touch that one in an open forum - feel free to contact me directly, I have my reasons for the choice I made.

 

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Since I keep the stats for Johnnies team. I can also say that of SBA we have thrown out at least 50% CS.

 

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We not only use our catcher to throw them out at bases, but we regularly use our Pitcher to do the same. If you watch many runners, they relax after the catcher throws back to the pitcher. Our game plan is to have a quick return to P and then she waits till they turn and put their heads down - then she fires it, they never see it coming. She can do this at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Picks em off all the time. It helps that she has a very quick and accurate throw.

 

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our team has 2 catchers that can hang. both are brick walls behind the plate, one has a better arm than the other but both are bailing for nationals. what a shame!!!!!

Thanks for the props sdmfastpitchmedic, I'll be sure to tell my dd.

She would have loved to go to Nationals with this great group of girls (and had many families offer to take her), but going into her Senior year she wanted to spend time with her family at her younger sister's first go around at Nationals.

The last 2 years at Nationals with these girls was a lot of fun and full of challenges that they were able to meet. She now is letter her younger sister enjoy them.