Also we work on:
RELEASE.
The RELEASE is from the moment the ball hits the mitt to the release of the throw; or just under half of what is termed pop time. POP-TIME is the time from the pitch hitting the catcher's mitt to the throw hitting the infielder's glove at second base; usually about two seconds.
Reducing the release time of the catcher's throw is a matter of good mechanics/ techniques and timing. The only deterrent to catchers moving into throwing is the batter's swing. This is the theory behind the pitch-out; it removes the fear of interfering with the batter, and of course, being struck by the bat.
If you knew the batter was swinging (or not), you could have a quicker release.
This can be accomplished by “reading the pitch” and the movement of the batter. The ideal pitch to throw would be a near-strike that is too high, yet catch-able. There is no challenge to the catcher (no jumping, reaching, moving), with no attempt by the batter to swing. This allows the catcher to rapidly move into action, no waiting, catch the ball while setting his feet to throw, rapid transition of ball to hand.
The premise behind this is similar to the outfielder that is moving into the fly ball (not flat footed) to also make this throw to the base; catching and stepping forward simultaneously in one motion. Infielders likewise will charge a ground ball, catching and setting their feet simultaneously as they transfer the ball to the throwing hand.
The catcher's feet start in the ready position. Next, the right foot takes a half step towards the middle and slightly forward (the jab step). Then, the left foot takes a full step directly towards the base. At the same time, the catcher's left hand is catching the ball, then transfers it to the right hand, the right arm is cocked, then the ball is thrown. The challenge is to “overlap” the two feet activities with the four hand/arm activities to condense the RELEASE.
This leaves the final phase of POP-TIME; the actual THROW; its velocity and accuracy. This accounts for a little more than half of all overall pop-time.
So, to reduce your pop-time, WORK ON YOUR RELEASE.
Coach Rick Straub