"Coach Dunn's Quick Pitches" — By Coach Jack Dunn

Defensive Fundamentals, Part 4

THE CATCHER

The catcher needs to have a good arm and rather strong hands. A catcher who can get the ball to a base quickly, with great accuracy, is an extremely valuable asset to the team. It is not how hard a catcher can throw–it is how fast he can get rid of the ball, and the accuracy of the throw that matter. He should be able to coordinate feet, hands, and body. He must be strong enough, whether large or small in stature, to stand the strain of catching. The catcher needs to be agile, and must have sound judgment in calling pitches and cooperate with the pitcher in this important function. He studies the hitter's style, stance, stride and swing in order to discover his weaknesses. The game is always in front of him and he needs to be mentally alert–he is the director of plays and inspires confidence in the whole team.

Experience has taught that the ideal position for a catcher's feet is to have the left foot extended in front of the right foot by a matter of inches (not to exceed six inches). This position of the feet allows the catcher to be in a better position for throwing and balance.

Let the gloved hand rest over the left knee. This will hide the sign form the third-base coach. Give the signal with the right hand on the inside of the thigh. Don't drop the fingers below the crotch line, or they'll be seen from the rear.

CATCH: If the pitch comes over above waist level, catch it with the glove pointing up. If the ball is delivered low, catch it with the fingers down. Let the hands give a little with the catch–down and in, on high pitches, and up and in, on low pitches. Always try to get your body in front of the ball. This may require a foot shift. If the pitch is wide to your right, step sideward with the right foot. If the pitch is to your left, step over with your left foot.

As a final reminder to all young catchers, let me say that anybody can catch a pitch that is thrown high. The distinguishing mark between a catcher and a great receiver is his ability to catch low balls and balls in the dirt, to save strikes or to keep men from advancing. Practice catching low-thrown balls constantly.

I. Catching Position

1. Give the signal in a sitting position, with your feet moderately spread, knees out, and mitt covering the signal hand from the left side.
2. Give the pitcher a target with your glove.
3. Don't be a moving target.
4. Catch the ball closest to your throwing shoulder.
5. Always step toward the ball with your closest foot.
6. Be as close to the batter as possible.
   1. It bothers the batter.
   2. The umpire will call plays and balls better.
   3. It shortens the throwing distance.
7. When the ball goes into the dirt, drop directly in the path of the ball–your body acts as a barrier.
8. The catcher steps toward the place where the ball is to be received.
9. A high-pitched ball should be caught with a downward motion, and a low-pitched ball, with an upward motion.

II. Defense Throwing

1. With a runner on first base, the catcher is ready to throw and is alert at all times.
2. With a runner on second base, the catcher should not throw randomly.
3. With a runner on third base, the catcher can rarely get the runner, so he should throw on the inside of the baseline.
4. With runners on first base and second base, the catcher usually does not throw to first.
5. With runners on first base and third base in a double steal, the catcher throws directly to second base. The catcher may fake and throw to third.
6. With bases full, the catcher stands with his left foot on the third base line and in front of the plate. With the completion of a double play to first, he throws to the inside of the bag–where it is easier for the first baseman to see it.
7. When a runner stops and goes back to third, the catcher chases the runner toward third base and obtains the out. Don't throw too hard.
8. With a runner in scoring position, the catcher doesn't leave his position. Otherwise, he backs up throws from second to first and double plays, and the pitcher covers first.
9. Bunts
1. If toward third, turn one-quarter.
2. If toward first, don't turn; throw to the inside of the bag
3. Place the mitt in front of a bunt, take the ball from the ground with both hands. Do the same with a stopped ball. Keep your eyes on the ball.

III. Fielding Plays

1. A catcher lets infielders catch all fly balls when it is possible for them to do so.
2. With a foul fly, the catcher gets his nose under the ball.
   1. When the mask is removed, it should be grasped firmly and quickly by the bare hand and thrown aside.
3. Judging a foul fly
   1. If the ball to a right-handed hitter comes to the inside corner, the catcher should whirl to the left and, as his body is turning, take off the mask.
   2. If the ball is to the outside corner, the catcher turns to the right.
   3. This is reversed for a left-hander:
      1. If the ball to a left-handed hitter comes to the inside corner, the catcher should whirl to the right and, as his body is turning, take off the mask.
      2. If the ball is to the outside corner, the catcher turns to the left.

IV. Catcher's Material

1. A glove, broken-in well, with a good pocket.
2. A sheepskin or sponge, to prevent sore hands.

V. General

1. Keep your club alive–be the Field General.
2. Know the strength and weakness of your own pitcher as well as the opposition's.
3. Trouble in throwing can be attributed to problems with the balance of your feet and your stride.
4. Catch a winning game: that should be your uppermost thought.
5. Talk to the pitcher–settle him down.
6. Accuracy in your throw is what counts–not how hard you can throw.
7. Throw off the right foot.
8. Talk over the game with the pitcher between innings.
9. Let the coach know when the pitcher is losing his stuff.

For more from Coach Dunn click on Coaches Corner on the JUGS® website.