Possibly a little off subject, but not really that much….
Back when I coached we were a running team that set stolen base records. Didn’t have many good hitters at times so it became important to manufacture offense. For a few years... The problem with the sac bunt was the out part. The problem with the hit and run was the hit part.
We would know within .1 or less what our runners stolen base time was without a stumble. So timing pitchers and catchers became an important part of our offensive game and strategy.
If we had a 3.4 runner at 1B. And if they had a 1.4 pitcher to the plate with a 2.1 catcher on average. Our success rate for stealing 2B was nearly 100% based on even a perfect throw and tag from an easy pitch for the catcher to handle. We would run sometimes recklessly early in the game to gather information for later on.
In other words in this situation (given above) you absolutely take all the gamble out of being thrown out (minus the variables). The variables included our runner getting a bad jump or stumbling. It also depends on the type of pitch and location of the pitch which could also be in our favor or possible pitch out which was not in our favor. And of course the situation of the game. In the case (bad jump/stumble) unless we had a hit and run on (which we seldom would with this advantage), the runner was to stop and get back to the bag. We practiced this stuff every day even during the off season. This included one way leads both ways and blocking pick off attempts among many other things.
When you have a 3.3 or 3.4 runner against a 3.5 or slower combination (pitcher/catcher), what would be the reason for bunting? In fact, in that case we did not want our hitters making contact unless the pitch was right in their wheelhouse. We did expect our hitters to protect the runner though, often with fake bunt or swing through the ball without making contact on pitches that are strikes only.
Much of what we did at the small college level would never happen in professional or high level DI baseball. You always expect to have guys who can hit at that level. And over all there aren't as many weaknesses in the pitchers and catchers. But some of this stuff does pertain to every level of baseball.
The average good runner at top speed will cover one stride in approximately .2 second. This would mean a 6 foot stride at top speed would cover 78 feet in less than 3 seconds. Of course that doesn’t happen because a runner does not start at top speed and he must slide to the bag. That is why a fast runner is more likely to be a 3.3-3.4 stealer.
Knowing your runners times are critical. If you don’t know for sure, you would just be guessing as to the percentage of success. Knowing all this also tells us what JW is talking about. The skill required by the catcher is what judges the catcher, but the combination of catcher and pitcher is needed to throw out a very quick base runner.
It’s my belief that catchers should always strive to improve arm strength, but quickness (release) is much more important IMO. In most cases it is more realistic for a catcher to improve his release to cut out time than gain enough velocity to make up the same difference. As Catching coach alluded to. However we time and gun catchers along with filming them. As Jerry W mentioned, we want to discover which areas need to be improved the most, which have the most room for improvement. Obviously, it’s not always the same from one catcher to the next. It’s true that neither area should be excluded from being improved.
BTW, it is a lot of fun watching the few that throw with outstanding velocity and have quick smooth releases and can put the ball on the money. I bet JW doesn’t even get tired of seeing that, it’s one of the most beautiful sights in baseball. Unless it’s coming from the opponent.
Lots of good stuff on this thread. Thanks