| Every so often I get a request from a parent | | | | player is at as far as catching ability and what you |
| who tells me that their child is a catcher and that | | | | should do next to help him improve. True, he |
| they would like me to help their child "learn some | | | | might be able to stand up and throw the ball to |
| catching things", or "give them some catching tips" | | | | second base well, but that in itself is not proof |
| or something along those lines. Sometimes I know | | | | that a kid has caught a lot. |
| the player and have seen him catch before. | | | | Observe the player carefully and note things like |
| Sometimes I've heard that the player catches. | | | | the following: |
| Sometimes the parent says that the child catches | | | | - After the player gets the equipment on, does |
| and thinks he'd be a lot better with a little help. | | | | he look like he's used to wearing it, or is he |
| This last one can be a little scary because I've | | | | fidgeting with it, pulling at it and trying to figure |
| been told this by parents and once I start | | | | out how to wear it? Does it appear that it feels |
| working with the player I immediately realize that | | | | "weird" to him? A catcher that is used to wearing |
| he has never caught before, or only caught a few | | | | this stuff usually will just throw it on in a few |
| times...probably just batting practice a few times. | | | | minutes and be done with it. |
| When I get a request like this from parents, | | | | - When the player gets down is his receiving |
| here's what I do: | | | | stance, does he look relaxed, comfortable and |
| I first assess what the player has really done or | | | | stable? Is it basically a correct stance? Or does he |
| what he can really do. This is important, mainly | | | | look clumsy and uncomfortable and not sure how |
| from a safety point of view. Inexperienced | | | | he wants to squat? A catcher that has done a |
| catchers, especially young ones just starting out, | | | | good deal of catching will normally get right down |
| can easily get injured by the baseball. So I really | | | | in a stance that you can tell is natural to him and |
| try to figure out what I'm dealing with, no matter | | | | feels O.K., even if you think it's not an exactly |
| what mom or dad has told me. | | | | correct stance. |
| I'll also just talk to the young catcher and try to | | | | - When you are winding up, does the player |
| find out how much he's caught so far in his little | | | | appear ready, still relaxed and focused? Or, does |
| career, what he likes about catching and what he | | | | the player appear pretty nervous, maybe a little |
| doesn't like. You can kind of tell if a player has a | | | | scared at this point? Young catchers with |
| real interest in catching or if his parents decided it | | | | experience at this point usually have a look of |
| was a position that he should like. I actually had a | | | | anticipation and focus. They are concentrating on |
| nine year old flat-out tell me that he hated | | | | your release and the ball, not worrying about |
| baseball. He liked football and golf. He said his dad ( | | | | getting hit by the ball. Most of the time it is easy |
| who was the coach) made him play. Catchers | | | | to see the difference. |
| need to be motivated kids who truly like, or at | | | | - When you actually do the fake throw, does the |
| young ages, don't mind being a catcher. | | | | catcher flinch, turn his head, bring his non-glove |
| I find out more of what I need to know by | | | | hand around to protect himself, even though you |
| simply watching how the player reacts to me | | | | haven't even thrown the ball yet? If he does, he's |
| throwing the ball at him. A young player with very | | | | probably relatively new at this and should be |
| little experience or none at all will almost always | | | | taught how to do things correctly, mainly to |
| have more fear of getting hit by the ball than a | | | | protect himself. Young catchers with innings under |
| catcher who has "been there, done that." This will | | | | their belts won't flinch too much at the point |
| stand out in his actions when you actually start | | | | when you are about to throw the ball. They are |
| throwing some balls in the dirt at him, even real | | | | calm, stable on their feet and are focused. They |
| slow pitches. | | | | are anticipating the ball and how to catch it or |
| I have the player get the catching gear on and | | | | block it. They are not overly concerned with |
| then I get a few baseballs and tell him that I'm | | | | getting hit by the ball. |
| going to throw some balls in the dirt and that I | | | | If the player that you are assessing appears like |
| want him to block them. Of course, I'm not going | | | | he does indeed have some of the "experience" |
| to just start whipping balls at him, I'm just looking | | | | qualities mentioned above and just needs work to |
| at the reaction he has when he thinks a ball is | | | | improve, you're in good shape. Focus on |
| coming at him in the dirt. | | | | fundamentals and repeat, repeat and repeat. |
| I have him get down in his stance and I motion | | | | That's what separates good catchers from |
| like I'm going to just whip one at him in the dirt. I | | | | mediocre ones. |
| do a full pitching motion, like I'm going to throw | | | | BUT, if you see all of the signs of a "newbie", |
| the ball. However, I don't release it. What happens | | | | what do you do? Where do you start from here? |
| next is that you'll most likely get all of the | | | | How do you get the young catcher "catching?" |
| answers that you need to determine where the | | | | We'll look at this in a future article. |