| There's this certain "thing" about baseball coaching | | | | Now, here's the part that's even more funny. |
| and baseball practices that I've noticed over the | | | | During games, now, the coaches have the same |
| years. It isn't just High School teams or just | | | | expectations of the catchers and their skills as |
| teams in summer leagues...it's a common problem | | | | they do their shortstop, second and third |
| the way I see it. Some teams/coaches can be | | | | basemen. If there is a bunt down the first base |
| worse than others when it comes to this, but | | | | line and the catcher throws it away, it's possible |
| many times it appears to be much the same | | | | he'll get hammered by a coach. But it's also |
| story. | | | | possible that he hasn't practiced that throw since |
| If you are a baseball coach, player, or have | | | | the beginning of the season. I think this is one |
| watched a lot of team practices, you've gotten | | | | reason why I see so many balls thrown away at |
| the idea that repetition is a BIG thing. Repetition is | | | | third and first by catchers. There just isn't enough |
| what develops the "Muscle Memory" that allows | | | | repetition there. No "Muscle Memory." |
| the brain and body to perceive a complicated task | | | | Seasons start out with good intentions...with a lot |
| as just an ordinary routine task. Many coaches | | | | of promises. The catchers will do this and the |
| know this and if you watch a number of different | | | | catchers will do that. But guess what? It usually |
| teams practicing you'll see the following things | | | | ends up the same way in a relatively short time. |
| being practiced over and over and over: | | | | The catchers will do a little bit of infield and then |
| - Batters hitting off tees | | | | go right to the mounds to catch pitchers. All of |
| - Batters doing soft toss | | | | the pitchers. At the same time, when it's getting |
| - Batters practicing bunting | | | | dark, everyone's tired, parents are waiting and |
| - Infielders taking ground ball after ground ball until | | | | the coach who is pitching to what he thinks is the |
| they "get it right" | | | | last batter turns around and yells, "Who hasn't hit |
| - Outfielders taking fly balls and ground balls | | | | yet?" |
| - Outfielders practicing cutoffs, throws to third, | | | | Guess who raises their hands? You got it. The |
| throws to second and home | | | | two catchers. So they'll bat last. Coach is tired. He'll |
| - Shortstops and second basemen turning double | | | | throw some to one catcher and then some to |
| plays | | | | the other. They'll get half of the pitches that the |
| - Pitchers throwing and throwing | | | | first five guys got, if they are lucky, and these |
| - Pitchers running banana routes | | | | are sometimes crappy pitches anyway. |
| - Pitchers throwing over to first...pickoffs to | | | | Sometimes they will get the promise that they'll |
| second | | | | hit first the next practice...right. Yet, they are |
| Now, think back to these same practices. How | | | | expected to hit like the other guys. |
| many times did you see one of the coaches take | | | | I've watched catchers with good size and cannon |
| two or three catchers and go off somewhere | | | | arms. If someone steals and the pitch is a good |
| and block balls in the dirt? Correctly, I mean. And | | | | one, that catcher nails the runner by two steps. |
| not three, four or five balls at the very end of | | | | Unfortunately I've watched these same catchers |
| practice. I mean a bucket or two each. In the dirt, | | | | and find that they can't block a beach ball. They'll |
| center, left and right...correctly. Probably not often, | | | | let the easiest ball in the dirt get by them. I'd see |
| maybe never. | | | | seven to ten balls back to the screen, runners |
| How much footwork did you see the catchers | | | | advancing and runs scoring. This just tells me the |
| doing at practice? Did you see coaches working | | | | coach found a guy with a cannon arm and |
| the feet? I mean with no baseball or | | | | basically did nothing else with him. Happens a lot. |
| throwing...just footwork...fast, correct footwork. | | | | But I've seen some great coaches who have |
| You probably didn't see that or remember just a | | | | coached their catchers well and boy these guys |
| little bit in the season. | | | | are great to watch. You can immediately |
| Did you see the catchers fielding bunts down third | | | | recognize a well coached catcher. They are just |
| and first and making the play? Again, not one or | | | | fun to watch. Umpires love them. |
| two. I mean ten times, like the reps all of the | | | | So coaches, don't forget your catchers. They'll |
| other infielders got when practicing their required | | | | win you for you games if you help them...they'll |
| skills. | | | | lose games for you if you don't. They have more |
| What I mostly see is common...throws to second | | | | skills to master than the other players. That's just |
| and a few to third and first during infield practice. | | | | the nature of the position. They need time too. |
| That means a catcher might throw down to third | | | | Not at the end of practice when everyone's tired |
| three or four times. Big deal. During a practice, a | | | | and wants to go home, either. |
| shortstop will field fifteen to twenty ground balls | | | | Oh, one more thing...Don't Forget Your Catchers. |
| and make the throw to first. | | | | |