The five words you never want to hear when working the plate
 

"I don't want to catch!" :eek:

or: "I don't feel like catching!" :eek::eek:

Especially when you have had the kid before (Class C JV), and the prior experience left several nice marks on you. And yes, there were skip throughs, bounces, you name it. FINALLY, the coach replaces her, and I was able to settle myself in. The other kid, by the way, was totally opposite - caught EVERYthing, played mean defense, including a nicely executed run down, and was chattering away all game - "Ew - I cut my pinky - want to see it?" :p

Otherwise, the weather has been perfect here the last week - nice, just warm enough to ditch the jackets at day, and deep blue skies - FINALLY! And now ASA is starting up, so time to start the slog!

You can teach [almost] anyone the other 7 positions,
 

given a modest level of intellect and talent.

Only a select few have the ability to pitch.

You have to want to catch.:eek:

I did my first 12U rec ball game of the year a couple of nights ago. Mind you, I've already worked about 25 HS varsity, JuCo, and D1 games so far, and I've taken a couple of hits off my forearm and thigh, but nothing too painful.

In the first inning of the 12U game, the catcher didn't even get a whiff of leather on the pitch and it nailed me on the right hand, splitting my fingernail and busting up a couple of knuckles. I worked the rest of the game with my hands behind me, and was dodging and weaving pitches to keep from getting hit more than the dozen or so times I did get nailed. I walked away from that two-hour "game" so disgusted with life, I wanted to throw my gear in the dumpster on the way to my Jeep.

Amazing how intolerant I'm getting as I grow older...

Which stance do you use? My hands/fingers are never exposed on a pitch unless I simply screw up and start to make a call too quickly. (Well ... the very tip of my thumb is barely exposed, I suppose)

First thought that went through my mind.

Been there...but on the other hand, after getting rid of my 'problem' yesterday, the other kid was so into it, and was doing such a fine job, I walked away feeling pretty good - and ready for the 30 minute drive back home....facing the sun the whole way in lovely commuter traffic...

Heel-to-toe in the slot, elbows locked into my body, hands loose between my legs near the groin area.

The lower your hands are, the more likely to be hit, as the most frequent misses by catchers are in the dirt.
Mine are belt high, usually that means near the catcher's left arm & mitt, even though centered in the slot.

How about....
 

This is my first time catching. I know that is six words....but still.

Had this happen in a 14U game.

Damned if this girl wasn't a gamer though.....she did as well as some veterans at her age. I had seen her several times before as a middle infielder.

She let a couple get by her....but was as good as most seasoned catchers and she was a joy to work behind. Never a bad thing to say. She was just happy to be on the field. And if I remember correctly, she could hit to the right side and run like the wind.

I have had some shitty catchers in my day. This girl was not one of them.

Joel

The seven words you do not want to hear from the catcher.
 

From MTD, Jr.: "Blue, this is my first time catching." :eek:

MTD, Sr.

Ok, 18 words.
 

.

Five words.
 

"I had beans for dinner"

:eek:

Forgot that one.....

Hugo:

ROFLMAO!

MTD, Sr.

How about when they DON'T tell you, and you find out the HARD way :eek:

or on Sunday mornings, when they still smell like last night's bar :p

You must have experience with Men's FP.......:)

It seems at the lower/younger levels of play that the pitcher is someone who can't throw the ball and the catcher is someone who cannot catch. That combination makes for some pretty long/boring games and dings and bruises for the poor soul who is calling ball and strikes.
Worst case, a left-handed catcher. Makes the most solid plate ump cringe. I make it a habit these days to keep my hands behind my knees. I do not care how it looks, it keeps my arthritic fingers from getting worse.

Why would you think that looks bad?

On the other hand, when you have a - what NY calls 'modified' game - middle school level, and half the kids on both sides have bags/helmets, etc from various travel teams they are on, they can be some of the fastest and easiest games you can work,

From the defensive coach to the catcher...."(catcher's name)...don't close your eyes."

10-U Rec game tonight. I was BU.

Coach is warming up the pitcher between innings while catcher getting ready.
This pitcher was very good, throwing very hard.
As catcher was relieving the coach, I could swear I heard the coach say these five words "Think you can catch her?":eek:

My favorite one
 

I've never let a pitch hit the umpire.

First pitch behind that catcher was a ball in the dirt that hits the front of the plate and shoots up into my facemask.

She just turned and said, that's the first time.

I just laughed. I've had her three DH's and 4 games behind the plate. For a JV catcher she is actually really solid, and only one other ball hit me. That wasn't her fault. The pitch was 3 feet inside, and over the batters head. It hit the backstop and came back hit me as I was trying to get out of her way.