We’ve all watched major League baseball and seen exciting, logic-defying plays that are so incredible we watch them over and over on instant replay. An outfielder makes an amazing diving catch then gets up and throws a fastball like a rocket to second base with pinpoint accuracy and a runner is tagged out. The infield has its share of momentous plays. The shortstop stretches to field the ball then throws for a double play, and on and on. But there is one position that few think about and which presents more challenges than any of the other 8 players, and often more incredible if only we could see them.
So, which baseball position is the hardest? Requiring strength, bulk, fast reflexes and a deep understanding of the game of baseball, the catcher position is the hardest to play. Catchers must be both mentally and physically strong, the body will be in a deep squat one moment, then in a standing position a split second later; mask off, throwing a bead to second base. Then he tells the pitcher to throw a fastball first, then a curveball out of the strike zone next.
A catcher must know the weaknesses of the hitters on the opposing team, all while wearing over 25 pounds of defensive gear, as a hockey goaltender does.
What Skills Must A Catcher Possess?
Stupendous infield and outfield plays will grab the attention of the fans and game announcers, but when a catcher makes a play that alters the course of a game, often it goes unnoticed.
For example, when the bases are loaded and the game is tied, the team pitcher throws a wild pitch, which could result in the game-winning run scoring. Yet the catcher shifts his body in front of the ball in a split second, recovers the ball, throws off his mask and focuses on the third base runner, who had advanced but must scamper back to the bag because the catcher blocked the ball.
Many times during the game the catcher is involved in plays that are only noticed briefly, such as when he stands up behind the plate and fires the ball to first base to keep the baserunner from advancing.
Or he signals to the pitcher to throw a high curveball outside the strike zone, certain that this particular batter will swing. Predictably the batter does and strikes out, leaving runners in scoring position.
Here are some basic requirements to be an excellent catcher.
- Knows the score of the game and the number of outs in the inning.
- Keeps a mental note of the pitch count (sometimes by asking the umpire standing behind).
- He knows the strengths and weaknesses of most hitters.
- When runners are on base, the catcher knows the infield cutoff man.
- Must have a strong, accurate throwing arm.
- Knows the pitch count and knows what hand signals to use.
- Must know who the infield cutoff man is when there is a base hit to the outfield.
- He can tag out a runner at home with his body and with the ball.
- Knows where the batter is likely to hit the ball; shifts players at infield and outfield positions.
- Able to calm the pitcher down in pressure situations where batters scored RBIs and base hits.
- He has extraordinary strength, his legs strong and able to withstand constant squatting and standing.
- Be able to play well wearing catcher’s gear.
The catcher is often elected as the team captain. Team players know the catcher’s contribution even if fans don’t. He is a person who can take charge and can lead other players.
What Kind Of Stances Does A Catcher Have?
Catchers must develop a relaxed stance and a ready stance. When there are no base runners and the batter has less than 2 strikes, the catcher assumes a relaxed stance.
- His feet are apart by a shoulder width.
- He keeps his hips and shoulders square with the pitcher.
- He stays low and is in a comfortable position.
- His left foot is a little in front of the right, about 2 inches in front.
- His catcher’s mitt is open and pointed at the pitcher.
- His left arm is bent a little at the elbow.
In the relaxed stance, the catcher doesn’t block the plate and he keeps his glove from moving, even a little until the ball is in his glove and the umpire calls the pitch. This is because the umpire uses the movement of the glove to guide him in calling balls and strikes. When the pitcher throws outside the strike zone, a good catcher learns how to pull his glove in rapidly so the umpire will call a strike. This doesn’t always happen, but it does often enough.
When the catcher assumes a ready stance, there are runners on base and the batter has 2 strikes called against him. After the next pitch, the catcher will need to spring into action either throwing out a runner or blocking a wild pitch.
In the ready stance,
- He squats higher than the relaxed stance so he’s ready to make a throw.
- His glove is positioned lower than in a relaxed stance.
- His ungloved hand is in a fist and placed behind the catcher’s mitt.
The catcher crouches as close to home plate as he can before the hitter’s bat contacts his glove. This is because it is easier for the pitcher to throw into the catcher’s glove.
Why Does The Catcher Wear So Much Equipment?
Of all the players on defense, the catcher is most vulnerable to injury. In a typical baseball game, each team goes through about 10 dozen baseballs. These are thrown by the pitcher and the catcher and don’t include balls thrown by fielders.
This means the catcher must field about 120 pitches each gave. The average pitch speed in the majors is 93 miles an hour, but most pitchers have fastballs that attain speeds at about 100 miles per hour. Without protective equipment, a catcher would sustain everything from broken bones to chest pull injustice requiring a visit to a hospital emergency room.
There are five essential pieces of equipment catchers must wear.
Helmet (mask)
The main purpose of a catcher’s mask is to deflect baseballs from hitting the face. Catcher’s masks have evolved since they began making them in the 1860s. Masks today were inspired by hockey goalie masks.
Helmets today are made of high-teach polycarbonate and are meant to protect the front, sides, and back of the head. The caged metal in the front, a “head cage,” is bigger today than it used to be. This greatly improves the catcher’s peripheral vision, enabling him to see much more activity on the field.
The masks today are designed to deflect the ball rather than hit the catcher’s head with full force. The mass is also heavier by almost 11 ounces.
Chest Protector
Modern technology has infused the catcher’s chest protector with materials similar to those used in law enforcement. Body armor plating using Kevlar both protects the chest and is also lightweight. It is reasoned that Kevlar can stop bullets so it certainly can protect a baseball catcher form the impact of a 95 mile per hour fastball.
Leg Guards
Leg guards protect the knees, ankles, shins and the upper part of the feet. Foul tips in the dirt and moving from a crouching position to blocking position wear down the lower part of the body. The leg guards ease discomfort from the constant movement catchers must make.
About 100 years ago shin guards were made out of fiber. Since the 1960s, light and tough molded plastic have replaced fibers and have greatly relieved the pain and discomfort catchers endure ever since.
Catcher’s Mitt
In the late 1800s, the difficulty and pain associated with this catcher position were largely ignored. The glove did not cover the fingers completely, leaving the fingertips exposed and subject to foul tips and fast pitched baseballs.
From the 1960s to the present catcher’s mitts have undergone several modifications. Pitchers today throw the ball fast and low, at or below the knees. But not every major league catcher is satisfied with the design and feel of the glove, believing they are still very cumbersome.
Modern mitts have several breaks and long, large oval pockets, requiring the catcher to use two hands to catch badly thrown balls to prevent them from going behind them.
Fortunately, today, a catcher’s protective gear is designed with safety in mind. There are many fewer injuries and catchers report less fatigue at the end of the game. The chest protectors are much more lightweight, the helmet allows balls to bounce off of it rather than have the helmet absorb the shock itself (causing vibrations inside the catcher’s head).
With health and safety as a new focus in professional sports, it has trickled down to little league, high school, and college baseball. New accessories have also been used by all levels of baseball. Catchers can now benefit by using the following.
- Thumb Guards: Worn inside the catcher’s mitt, thumb guards provide extra protection for the thumb, which absorbs much of the sting of fast-hit pitches.
- Wrist Guard: This accessory prevents injuries like bruised forearms that occur when catching foul tips.
- Glove Sponge. It has been showing that more protection is needed for the index finger inside the catcher’s mitt because this finger absorbs even more of the sting of the baseball than the thumb. The index finger remains extended the whole time the catcher is on the field. The sponge has the purpose of burning the shock of foul tips and shielding the index finger from injury.
