Catcher "framing" a pitch
Keep hearing this lately....especially Rod Allen doing the Tiger games.
Does that really exist? Or is that just coach/announcer speak? I would think the Umpire behind the plate can see the ball cross the plate without any of the catchers help, but then again, I've never been behind the plate. |
A good catcher "frames" a pitch by catching it properly and holding it giving the umpire a good view.
Do not confuse framing a pitch with dragging it into the zone, which any competent umpire will call a ball. After all, there is only one reason a catcher will drag a pitch, which is because he believes it was outside the zone. |
So basically a good catcher "just catches the ball" ?
Like I said, never been behind the plate. Is it hard to see the ball cross the plate? Or just certain pitches? And do Umpires get involved in the pitchers thinking? As in looking for a fastball or looking for a slider and get fooled? |
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For example, on a low pitch at the knees, I'm more likely to ball a pitch if the catcher is turning his glove over and looks like he is digging it out. A catcher that keeps his thumb down with little or no glove movement is more likely to get a strike on that same pitch. This of course varies by level and talent of the catchers. Sometimes you need to get strikes anyway you can. |
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Pitchers thinking is more a function of the pitcher, the catcher, and the level of play. Remember Bull Durham? But yes, if a pitcher has an 0-2 count on fastballs, and has a good slider, the umpire would not expect a fastball over the middle, but will call whatever comes. If the pitcher throws a slider on the outside corner and catcher sticks it, sit down. Good umpires also get involved in game situation thinking, when is a hit and run most likely, sacrifice bunt, steal, pick-off, etc. It helps to know enough to anticipate what might happen and be ready for it but call whatever does happen. |
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I don't like to throw away strikes either but the catcher needs to help me out here, especially at HS varsity and above.. |
I've always taught my catchers their #1 job (besides not letting any balls get through to hit the plate ump - ahem!) was receiving the ball and keeping strikes strikes (i.e., not letting their glove travel out of the zone after receiving the ball).
There are techniques of teaching receiving that don't lend themselves to written description, but the main point is giving the umpire the best possible view of the where the ball is (and isn't) when it settles in the glove (with the full knowledge this is past the strike zone). You'd be amazed at how many people are concerned about "pop" times and fielding and don't pay attention to the supposedly simple, but actually quite difficult, skill of receiving pitches. |
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I wonder who's doing all the chewing. I don't throw away strikes and nobody's bitching. Hasn't hurt my assignments in the least bit.
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