I have found that the age of the catcher doesn't make as much difference as the skill of the catcher. There have been 12 year old catchers who I feel more comfortable behind then a 35 year old MSBL catcher who can't block a pitch and is lazy.

In general though, age matters. I have not been behind a 12 year old catcher lately, but would rather be behind a varsity high school catcher than a JV catcher. But having said that, my broken pinky finger about 8 years ago was behind a college catcher on an inside pitch that did not bounce, and he did not get a glove on it at all. So skill matters. I adopted GD shortly afterwards, and while I have been hit, I have not broken any bones. Of course I got hit before, GD just locks me in better for calling pitches, IMHO.

Experience comes with age. Certainly ability counts, but more older F2's have the ability, if they're missing frequently, they're being lazy.

Sure there are younger kids w/ ability, but I'd take my chances w/ a newer, older F2 any day, than a youth F2 who's just learning the position...and there are a lot more younger, inexperienced F2's than older, inexperienced ones.

I've told people for years that as you move up the ladder the hitting gets a little better, the fielding gets a little better, the pitching gets a little better, but the catching gets a LOT better. That's why it's usually a lot easier to work behind a catcher at a higher level - you're not in fear of your life!

JJ

Exactly.

Fear for your life is playing safety in college, and going one on one with Earl Campbell. Been there, done that.

No place to run. No place to hide.

You could always play like Deon Sanders and not participate in run defense.