New ball in play...give it to the catcher or not?

[Tim C]

The last time I threw a ball to F1 was 1981. I was taught my two MLB catchers that: "Tee, it is our job to throw balls to that meathead."

T

[SE Minnestoa Re]

A batter asked me last week why I didn't throw the ball to the pitcher. I told him my shoulder was shot from ringing up so many hitters.

Best laugh I've seen from a kid in a while.

[David B]

Originally Posted by Tim C

The last time I threw a ball to F1 was 1981. I was taught my two MLB catchers that: "Tee, it is our job to throw balls to that meathead."

T

LOL, that's funny

Thanks
David

[briancurtin]

I'll toss it if it's a foul ball straight back and the catcher is gathering his helmet and mask, but that's about it. I still have a fairly good arm, but I go with a safe and easy toss in those few cases.

An old partner years ago could, and would fire one back to the pitcher just as hard as the catcher was throwing. Always hit the pitcher right in the chest, too. It was accurate and fast to the point that it became kind of weird.

[Rich Ives]

Is there a possibility that it's the last vestige of still playing the game?

[thumpferee]

I throw pass balls and wild pitches back. And you'd be surprised how many there were in the district.

Had a catcher wednesday, who is their best pitcher, bounce the first three back to the pitcher. HC comes out and says, "Jack, let the umpire throw"em back".

A pitch before I asked the catcher if he wanted me to throw'em back

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by briancurtin

I'll toss it if it's a foul ball straight back and the catcher is gathering his helmet and mask, but that's about it. I still have a fairly good arm, but I go with a safe and easy toss in those few cases.

An old partner years ago could, and would fire one back to the pitcher just as hard as the catcher was throwing. Always hit the pitcher right in the chest, too. It was accurate and fast to the point that it became kind of weird.

Wow, a guy that can throw the ball 50 feet with great skill and accuracy....

I guess he thought the radar gun guy was there scouting him.

[Manny A]

Can't recall who was playing, but during an MLB game on ESPN, I saw the PU throw the ball back to F1 all the time, even after F2 raised his hand up in anticipation that the PU would give him the ball. It made me wonder if catchers get irritated when the umpire does this. My guess is that they don't care for it so much.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

Wow, a guy that can throw the ball 50 feet with great skill and accuracy....

I guess he thought the radar gun guy was there scouting him.

Cool post.

[DG]

Originally Posted by thumpferee

Had a catcher wednesday, who is their best pitcher, bounce the first three back to the pitcher. HC comes out and says, "Jack, let the umpire throw"em back".

I never thought much of coaches using a catcher as a pitcher and certainly not in the same game. I just cringe when a catcher for 5 or 6 innings is put in to pitch...

But the "best pitcher" who bounces them back to the pitcher? Wassup with that ?

[JJ]

I'm always amazed at pitchers who could probably stand on home plate and throw the ball consistently over the left field wall but can't get it from the mound to home plate on the fly. Some catchers are more like hockey goalies than baseball players...

JJ

[thumpferee]

Originally Posted by DG

I never thought much of coaches using a catcher as a pitcher and certainly not in the same game. I just cringe when a catcher for 5 or 6 innings is put in to pitch...

But the "best pitcher" who bounces them back to the pitcher? Wassup with that ?

Agree! His arm was probably shot! From pitching then catching. Coaches just don't get it!

Next rule from NFHS is, the starting pitcher is limited to 7 innings combined as pitcher/catcher.

How about putting on a coaches safety clinic and make coaches and AD's attend?! Oh yeh, they do! A lot of good that does! One day a year!

And yet our youth suffer!