| To be a baseball catcher, in addition to learning the | | | | good idea for him to let anyone else use his mitt. |
| mechanics of his job, the player also has to know | | | | That's his most important tool and it needs to be |
| something about "handling" pitchers. He must get | | | | in perfect condition at all times. Break it in |
| to know their capabilities, what kind of | | | | yourself, catcher, and it will fit your hand. Don't |
| temperament they have, etc. If the pitcher is a | | | | use a sponge unless you have a sore hand. In |
| very nervous boy and inclined to pitch too fast, | | | | other words, try to toughen up the catching hand |
| it's up to the catcher to hold the ball longer | | | | so you won't need a sponge. |
| between pitches and slow him down. | | | | Buckle the shinguards with buckles on the outside. |
| If the pitcher gets discouraged quickly, the | | | | That way they won't catch when you're running. |
| catcher ought to talk to him and try to keep his | | | | When your team is at bat, don't take the |
| spirits up. Most of all, the catcher ought to know | | | | shinguards off unless you are among the first |
| which pitch is the hurler's best-is it the fast ball, or | | | | three hitters. Don't wear the chest protector |
| the curve? {The "best" on the day he's pitching). | | | | loose, it will hamper throws to the bases. Keep it |
| When a new pitcher comes into the game, the | | | | under the chin while catching to protect the |
| catcher meets him at the mound, reviews the | | | | Adam's Apple. Always wear it the same way; |
| signs, the current situation, the number of outs, | | | | that is, with the buckle on the same side. |
| the score and the next hitter. | | | | Be sure the mask fits snugly. Keep the straps |
| Be The Quarterback | | | | over the ears to protect against foul tips. Keep |
| The catcher, like the hitter, is within the vision of | | | | the leather of the mask clean. Never go behind |
| every defensive player. This puts him in position | | | | the bat without full equipment! |
| to "take charge" of the ball club in the field. And | | | | Since World War II, there has been a tremendous |
| "take charge" he must. Part of his assignment is | | | | change in the makeup and direction of "kid |
| to see to it that every boy is playing in the right | | | | baseball", as it is called. Adults, showing an |
| position for the hitter. He moves the outfield to | | | | unprecedented interest in the activity, have |
| left or right; brings the infield up or directs it to | | | | initiated and developed programs in thousands of |
| play back. | | | | towns across the United States-programs that |
| If he's not fielding a bunt, he tells the boy who | | | | provide wholesome recreation for millions of |
| does where to throw the ball. He decides whether | | | | youngsters and are often a source of pride and |
| a ground ball is to be played home-to-1st (with | | | | joy to the community in which they exist. |
| bases loaded), or whether the infield is to try for | | | | The young player of today is smartly uniformed |
| a 2nd-to-lst double play. The infield in particular has | | | | and fully equipped. He plays on a miniature Big |
| to know in advance where to make the play with | | | | League diamond ruled by uniformed umpires. He |
| runners on base. It's up to the catcher to tell | | | | often plays before large crowds and occasionally |
| them-whether he decides on his own, or gets his | | | | gets his name in a newspaper. |
| orders from the manager. | | | | To be a baseball catcher is to be a very valuable |
| Wear Equipment Correctly | | | | part of this great game. Enjoy the wonderful |
| To be a baseball catcher worth his salt, it's not a | | | | game of baseball! |