Framing pitches

[Warren Willson]

Originally posted by YoungRighty
I have two sons who are catchers. They have been taught from an early age by experienced coaches how to frame pitches (I'm talking about smooth funneling and mitt positioning, NOT jerking every pitch back over the plate). I have heard many umpires say that framing is overrated, and that they are not influenced by it.
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I would be very interested to hear some experienced umpires' comments on this. I am looking here for advice both as an aspiring umpire AND as a catcher's dad.

Jim, I think we first need to be sure we are talking about the same thing when we are discussing "framing". I'm not certain that I understand what you mean by "smooth funneling and mitt positioning", although I know exactly what you don't mean when you exclude "jerking every pitch back over the plate".

In my experience "framing" is the act of the catcher slightly straightening his wrist and closing the otherwise motionless mitt over the ball. It has the effect of making the mitt appear smaller from behind, giving the umpire a better impression of the final position of the ball in the mitt. That, in turn, helps to complete the picture of the ball's true line of flight from its release point in the hand of the pitcher. It involves a simple closing of the fingers toward the palm of the hand inside the mitt. True "framing" takes a strong forearm, great self-confidence and firm muscle control on the part of the catcher.

I have always been influenced to call a strike on an otherwise marginal pitch that is well "framed" by the catcher. I have never been influenced to give the benefit of the doubt on any marginal pitch that required movement of the pitcher's forearm or glove in the general direction of the plate.

That is the criterion I have called by throughout my own career, and the criterion taught to and applied by my colleagues and peers who are now representing my country in International AAA and AA baseball.

Hope this helps

Cheers