I've had the opportunity to coach 3 or 4 very good D-I catchers. Another 4 or 5 were good but either went JUCO or D-II. I've often felt that the masses miss out on the beauty of watching a very skilled player do their work. That, IMO, is because they make it look so easy and are so fluid. I don't post in this forum often and some of you know, I don't have a son but do have a daughter who is a pitcher. Last night, she threw to her varsity catcher and it was my first time to watch this young lady work. She is being recruited at the D-I level for softball and WOW! Little things mean so much in this position. For example, blocking balls in the dirt. If you've seen "hackers" at this position, you've seen a lot of air as they clear their feet and then, like a helicopter, they crash to the surface. This catcher was so smooth and as importantly calm. The chin tucked, the quickness the glove was between the legs, the angles putting the ball back on the plate every time and from all pitches. I was in awe! Yes, I've seen my boys do it. I was never able to just be a spectator and watch someone of this caliber work. Good luck to all those that put on "the tools of ignorance." Nothing could be further from the truth than this statement.
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