Catcher far inside, where's your slot?

[MD Longhorn]

Had a catcher this weekend so far inside that I could literally watch over her RIGHT shoulder and still be aligned with the inside of the plate. I found myself lining up behind her as if she was in the right place, but leaning right as the pitcher started to throw. Needless to say, this was crap on my back. If I'd kept my head in the "slot" she was offering, however, I would have had a severely blocked view of the plate.

What do you experienced guys do in this case? I eventually began starting the pitch over her right shoulder, slightly exposed, but at least getting a view. (She stayed there on lefties, by the way - setting in the proper normal slot, I was 100% exposed --- but never got hit... she was good).

[Andy]

Move back a bit and don't go down as much.

Not ideal, but not bad.

If the catcher is that far inside on RHB that you have to adjust that much, the benefit of the doubt on any pitch should go to the batter and be a ball.

I know that we are supposed to adjust around the players, but I have found this simple phrase works with catchers....

"Catcher...help me call strikes."

[DeputyUICHousto]

Why? Set up. If you can't see it you can't call it. After a couple I'm the coach/catcher/pitcher will wonder what's wrong with you. When you tell them I bet the catcher sets up in a different location.

Also, if she is that far inside wouldn't that put her out of the catcher's box?

[agr8zebra]

Catcher's Box...
Fed it is 8.5' wide by 10' Deep. She could be directly behind the batter and still be in the box.

If you can't see them as strikes call them balls. Sooner or later the coach or the catcher will get the idea.

[HugoTafurst]

FWIW, it seems I usually have more of a problem with batters who (legally) crowd the plate.
I'd hate to call balls cause I can't see strikes!

Depending on the particualr situation, I have used either the up and back technique or sacrificed seeing the ball out of the pitchers hand, picking it up as it gets closer to the plate...

[DeputyUICHousto]

What the hell was I thinking...?

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by DeputyUICHousto

Why? Set up. If you can't see it you can't call it. After a couple I'm the coach/catcher/pitcher will wonder what's wrong with you. When you tell them I bet the catcher sets up in a different location.

Also, if she is that far inside wouldn't that put her out of the catcher's box?

It's the catcher's box, not the umpires box. Our job is to SEE what we have to call. If the catcher is legally where she is suppose to be, you better move in order to see what you're being paid to see. Do we tell F4 to move so we can see the tag? The slot is a guideline. If you don't have it, don't make excuses for not doing your job. Find a spot where you can properly do your job.

[robbie]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

It's the catcher's box, not the umpires box. Our job is to SEE what we have to call. If the catcher is legally where she is suppose to be, you better move in order to see what you're being paid to see. Do we tell F4 to move so we can see the tag? The slot is a guideline. If you don't have it, don't make excuses for not doing your job. Find a spot where you can properly do your job.

Thanks MN, Saved me the time of figuring how to respond to the misguided post.......

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by DeputyUICHousto

Why? Set up. If you can't see it you can't call it. After a couple I'm the coach/catcher/pitcher will wonder what's wrong with you. When you tell them I bet the catcher sets up in a different location.

Also, if she is that far inside wouldn't that put her out of the catcher's box?

coach/catcher/pitcher would never think there was anything wrong with me other than just "this guy's zone is small." REALLY low level ball in this case --- and no, she was inside the box.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

It's the catcher's box, not the umpires box. Our job is to SEE what we have to call. If the catcher is legally where she is suppose to be, you better move in order to see what you're being paid to see. Do we tell F4 to move so we can see the tag? The slot is a guideline. If you don't have it, don't make excuses for not doing your job. Find a spot where you can properly do your job.

Well --- like I said, that's what I did. Just had horrible back aches for 2 days afterward.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Had a catcher this weekend so far inside that I could literally watch over her RIGHT shoulder and still be aligned with the inside of the plate. I found myself lining up behind her as if she was in the right place, but leaning right as the pitcher started to throw. Needless to say, this was crap on my back. If I'd kept my head in the "slot" she was offering, however, I would have had a severely blocked view of the plate.

What do you experienced guys do in this case? I eventually began starting the pitch over her right shoulder, slightly exposed, but at least getting a view. (She stayed there on lefties, by the way - setting in the proper normal slot, I was 100% exposed --- but never got hit... she was good).

If there is any space between the catcher and batter try to hold the slot. If there is no room or you are uncomfortable, go up and look down through the zone. You will lose a little bit on the low side, but you will get a clear view of the outside corner.