The catcher position on a baseball team is unique, completely unlike any other field position. In a way, catchers are a lot like a manager on the field in that he must be aware of everything happening on the field, especially when runners are one base. If you’ve thought about how to be a baseball catcher, this article aims to inform you of what you need to know and be able to do.
The catcher position is easily the most challenging on the defense, It is also the most difficult to master. A catcher who can handle pitchers, analyze and make decisions about defensive plays, and also to be good at hitting, will be his baseball team’s most valuable asset.
What Should a Good Catcher be Able to Do?
The catcher has the most thankless job on the field, and his work is often taken for granted. Other players are often unaware of how much skill and
preparation goes into being a capable, skilled catcher. The catcher’s role is the most important on the team, besides the pitcher.
Scoping out the Field
As a catcher you are involved in every single play. From his vantage point on the field, the catcher sees the whole diamond is in front of him, a wider view not seen by anyoneelse on the team. He can see runners on base better than any other infield position player. Often, the catcher will observe a runner leading off a base, and will signal an infielder to move closer to the bag to thwart a base stealing attempt.
Knowing the Hitters
Crouching right behind home plate, catchers observe batters and discover their strengths and weaknesses. For example, when a catcher recalls that a hitter struck out swinging at outside pitches in his earlier at bat, he’ll need to call for outside pitches to be thrown when the batter comes up again.
Know the Best Pitch to Call
Catchers must also know that inside pitches are often pulled by hitters, and outside throws are hit to the opposite field, and 
pitches low in the strike zone may likely become pop flies. He needs to know probabilities when there are runners on base. Though catchers don’t need to know this when they start out, it will become invaluable as he builds up his skills.
Lots of Responsibility
A catcher has a number of responsibilities, each one just as important as the other; signaling pitches, relaying plays and bunt coverage, blocking wild pitches, and throwing out runners attempting to steal are just a few of them.
As a catcher, you need to be aware of everything on the field and you need to know what to do in every possible situation. You’ll need to have critical information at your fingertips at every moment of the game. These include:
- Knowing what the score is at all times
- How many outs there are
- What the pitch count is
- Is the batter at the plate better at hitting some pitches than others? Can he hit curveballs? Is he poor at hitting cut fastballs?
- Knowing the batter on deck’s strengths and weaknesses.
- What pitch should I call next?
- Is the defense set (for example, a known right handed pull hitter is at the plate. Is the left fielder positioned where the ball is likely to be hit?
- Knowledge of the quickness (or slowness) of base runners.
- How good the runners on base are at stealing bases.
- Knowing the relay sequence if a ball is hit in the gap to the outfield,
- Determining who the cutoff man is in the infield.
- Being able to know if there is a play at home plate
Catchers need to have this information for every single play of the game. You don’t have any down time, and you’re actively involved in every pitch that is thrown.
Although it seems daunting that catcher’s need to be on their toes throughout the ball game, all of these skills can be developed in someone with a real love for the position. Practice, experience, a good coach and seeking out your own information on this special playing role will help you shoulder the work and earn the respect of your teammates.
What Skills Does a Good Catcher Need to Develop?
Being good at the skills listed below will allow you to focus on other aspects of a ball game that you’ll need to be part of, such as runners on base and batter’s strengths and weakness. Once these core skills are developed, they’ll become second nature without you needing to think about it.
- Stance
- Catching the Pitches (Glove work)
- How to position your body behind home plate
- Framing a pitch with your glove and body
- Blocking the Pitch
- Throwing the ball with precision from a squat and standing position
- Being in Charge and Leadership
Next, we’ll go over each of the above skills in detail. These should be followed up with drills which reinforce and strengthen these skills.
Catcher’s Stance and Positioning behind the Plate
Relaxed Stance
When you squat behind the plate, you’re either in a relaxed stance, or a ready stance. Your stance is relaxed when there are no base runners on base, and the batter has less than two strikes.
- Your feet are shoulder width apart.
- Left foot is a little in front of right foot and about 1 to 2 inches in front.
- Keep your hips and shoulders square with the pitcher.
- Your left arm should be bent a little at the elbow. Avoid holding your elbow on the inside of your left knee.
- Stay low and in a comfortable position
- The palm of your hand in the catcher’s mitt is pointed at the pitcher.
- Your glove is low so you give your pitcher a good target.
- Place your throwing hand behind your back or behind your shoe.
Don’t block the plate, except when you have the ball with your glove or your hand. Keep your glove as still as possible from the 
time you catch the ball up until the umpire calls the pitch. The umpire uses your glove as his guide, and based on its position, he may call a ball instead of the strike just thrown.
Ready Stance
Get into a ready stance when there are runners on base or if the batter has two strikes, because on the next throw, you’ll need to be ready to block a wild pitch, or to quickly throw out a base runner.
The main difference is that you squat higher up in the ready stance, and most of your weight pressed down on the balls of your feet.
- Your squat is higher than in a relaxed stance, because you might need to be “ready” to stand and throw.
- Hips and shoulders remain square to the pitcher.
- Relax your gloved catching arm, palm pointed at the pitcher.
- Place your throwing hand in a fist behind your catcher’s mitt.
- Keep the glove at a good, low target.
Where Do I set up in Relation to the Batter?
Ideally, you’ll want to be forward and as close to home plate as possible, but not too close where the batter’s swinging comes into contact with your glove. The closer you get to the plate, the easier it is for your pitcher to hit his locations. When you’re closer, the pitcher’s target is also closer.
Standing closer to the plate makes you further away from the umpire, and the increased distance helps him call balls and strikes more accurately.
Where you set up Behind the Plate is based on the Pitch Thrown
As catcher, you will be sending signals to the pitcher telling him which pitch to throw next. He may have a different pitch in mind, so when you finally agree what the next pitch will be, you’ll be setting up in a different catching position. Make sure, though, that you don’t give away the next pitch to the batter. Your movements should be subtle.
Remember never set up directly down the middle of the plate. Always set up just off the middle about an inch or two.
Fastball Position
Fastballs can be thrown over any part of the strike zone regardless of the pitch count, so it’s rare to see a fastball down the middle of the plate. This is because most batters find fastballs down the middle to be the easiest to hit. You’ll want to work the corners of the plate.
By the end of the first inning, you’ll know the umpire’s strike zone. All umpires have their own idea of where the strike zone is for hitters.
The general rule is that if the pitcher is behind in the count, set up to cover more of the plate. If the pitcher is ahead, move a little further away from the middle of the plate.
Breaking Ball Position
Breaking balls thrown early in the count are intended to be strikes. The pitcher wants to get ahead of the hitter, so as catcher you’ll need to set up in a way that covers more of the plate, making the strike zone seem larger.
When pitchers are ahead in the count, they’ll want to make throws other than fastballs or curves. This is usually when the pitcher wants the hitter to go after a breaking ball. When this happens, you want to set up close to a corner, depending on whether the batter is right-or left-handed. In this way you’ll be better able to block a breaking ball if it goes in the dirt, especially when there are runners on base.
Wild Pitches
This catching position should be used when you as catcher know early on that your pitcher is wild and his throwing is inaccurate that day. In these situations, it may be necessary for you to set up toward the middle of the plate no matter what is being thrown or what the count is.
If, or when, the pitcher re-establishes his control, you can then move further away and off the middle of the plate.
Catching the Ball
Framing the Ball
Remember that with every pitch that’s thrown, the umpire is using the way you set up as a reference for the strike zone. It’s important, then, to frame the ball so the umpire can see it from the best angle.
Lots of pitches can go one way or the other according to the umpire’s field of vision, so framing is used to help get the most accurate call.
Give the umpire a view of the ball from the angle that makes it look like a strike.
- Move your body and hands only slightly.
- Try to catch the outside of the ball.
- Slightly twist your wrist as your arm moves outward to catch the ball.
- Move your arm and glove forward a couple of inches after catching the ball.
When you watch a major league baseball game, you will always see pro catchers framing the ball, and moving their glove forward over the plate after the catch. They do this to guide the umpire’s eyesight and to help them get the best call for the pitcher.
Blocking Balls in the Dirt
When the ball pitched goes in the dirt, you will need to position yourself quickly to retrieve it. Move slightly toward the ball and position your legs allowing you to spring forward easily.
- Drop to your knees to lean in better toward the ball.
- Duck your chin down and protect your neck when the ball makes an unusual bounce.
- Move as little as necessary to avoid being hit by the ball or the bat.
For balls that bounce short of your crouch, scoop them with your glove and keep your hand free if you need to make a quick throw. The quicker you get to the ball, the faster you can foil a base stealing attempt. Move toward the ball and scoop downward with your glove. Use your throwing hand to push the ball into your glove if necessary.
There will be popups and foul balls in every game. When this happens, quickly remove your helmet and stand up to catch it. You’ll need unobstructed sight to locate the popup foul to catch it.
Calling Pitches
As a catcher, you’ll need to communicate with your pitcher before every pitch. This will be a silent discussion, and the only way to “talk” is with hand signals.
Before the game, discuss with your pitcher and make sure you both understand the meaning of each hand signal you give. Also, the rival team is constantly trying to read the signals to predict the next pitch thrown, so keep your hand hidden when calling the pitch.
Using all four of the fingers on your free hand, designate one finger (index) as a fastball, 2 fingers for a curve, three for a slider and all four for a changeup.
Knowing that the other team is trying to read your calls, you can mix it up. For example, if you want your pitcher to throw a curveball, you can agree beforehand that the pitcher read the second or third call you make with your fingers to throw off anyone looking in. You would then start with one finger, move to three fingers, and finally two fingers for a curveball.
Throwing the Baseball
One of the most important part of being a catcher is being able to throw with power and accuracy to an infield base to head off base runners. Baseball scouts look positively on a catcher’s throwing skills, often above anything else they do. The better thrower you are, the more control you have over the opposing team and the more you are likely to throw a runner out.
Your ability to throw out runners is a huge defensive asset. With a reputation for having a good throw, catchers help keep runners out of scoring position. Catchers known for being excellent throwers will force the other team into trying alternative plays to move runners into scoring position, such as a hit and run, or a bunt.
Gripping the Baseball
A proper grip is essential to throwing accurately.
- Grip the ball across the seams as if you were throwing the pitcher a 4 seam fastball.
- Try to make every throw by gripping the 4 seams.
Practicing this throw as much as possible will help you get much better at it. Keep in mind that your throwing arm is one of your greatest assets to the team.
Throwing to Second Base
There are three different ways to throw to second base, each with advantages and disadvantages. Use catching drills to become better able to throw each of the three ways, because you will be required to throw differently depending on the game situation.
Jab Step
You’ll be in your ready stance to throw the jab step.
- Take a small “jab step” with your right leg (for right handed catchers), just before you catch the ball.
- Stay low when you take the jab step.
- Raise your gloved hand up to your ear.
- Transfer the ball to your throwing hand.
- Your throwing hand should be behind your glove.
- Your front shoulder is pointed at second base.
- Stride with your left leg and release the ball to your target infielder.
Make a short, quick throw and transfer your weight from the backside to the front.
- Keep your throwing momentum focused on your target.
- Your throw follow through is low and your throwing hand almost hits your left knee following release of the ball.
Rocking and Throwing
For this kind of throw, keep your right foot planted where you catch the ball. Then transfer your weight to your back leg, then move forward toward your target, transferring weight now to your front side.
Throw with power and accuracy. Only use this throwing method for pitches on the right side of your body. It will be difficult, if you are a right handed thrower, to shift and throw if the ball is to your left.
Jump Pivot Throw
The jump and pivot throw is the fastest and requires a strong arm, because there is little forward body momentum towards your target.
- Your legs should be parallel to home plate.
- Hop into throwing position with your feet and body at a 90 degree angle to home plate. Imagine the feet at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions in relation to the plate.
- Next, move or hop to match the clock’s 6 and 12 positions.
- Rotate your hips and shoulders when your change position.
Note that you’re hopping, not jumping. It’s a body shift from the first 90 degree position to your position at 6 and 12 just before releasing the ball. Throw to second base, and keep your body low.
A Catcher’s Responsibilities
Catchers often serve both behind the plate and in the role of team captain. Even if your team does not have a designation for captain, you as catcher still act as leader, and your actions will be copied by the other players on the team.
You’ll want to develop your leadership qualities, and to always keep a level head. Never overreact to an umpire’s call, even if it was completely off. Your relationship with the umpire and the opposing team must remain positive, and mature.
Think of the team before yourself. Often much of what the catcher does in the game is barely noticed. Catching is not for those seeking attention for what they do in a game. Only the pitcher and your coach has any idea of all your contributions.
Always make your pitcher look good. Your rivals need to know how good your pitcher is, so they’ll be less inclined to steal bases for fear of being picked off.
Even though you called most or all the pitches, it’s the pitcher who gets credit for the win, not you. But then again, your pitcher knows this, or at least he should. He only success when you support his game.
Crouching, squatting and standing up through the game will become painful, no matter how great your physical shape may be. You must learn to deal with sharp pain in your knees, your back and your arms. Don’t allow it to cause you to black a pitch or throw badly. Always be on top of your game no matter what you feel like.
Maintain a good relationship with the umpire. There’s nothing wrong with asking him how he’s doing, and how his family is. Although umpires aren’t supposed to be unbiased, a good rapport with the umpire is remembered, and goes a long way. Besides, your opposing catcher may be striking up a friendship and you need to match his attention.
Be a team leader. Nothing helps the team win more than the catcher being a positive force in every game. Rouse the team when you’re losing, and always work on lifting their spirits no matter what the score is.
