Like the others have indicated, I believe catchers cost their pitchers more strikes by trying to move the mitt after catching it than stealing a call or two. If she has to move it after catching it, she is telling me she knows it isn't a strike, and needs to try to make it look better (like I haven't already seen the ball not cross the plate).
Good catchers don't move strikes, they catch them and show them to you. A good catcher will "stick" a borderline pitch, holding it for just a moment where she caught it, subliminally telling you it is exactly where she wants it. At most, she will curl her glove minimally, so that you see less of the part that is outside the zone. Then, she will return it, even if she doesn't get the call, because posing with it is attempting to show up the umpire.
What most coaches call "framing" will cost pitchers the close pitches.
__________________
Steve
ASA/ISF/NCAA/NFHS/PGF
|