Tagged With "Catching"
Topic
Catching mask
Okay guys, so I am a catcher recently going into High School. I have worn a hockey mask for all my life. I haven't had much problems with it. I have an All Star MVP4000 and I love it. As I continue to get older I keep seeing more and more traditional...
Topic
Pitching vs, Catching
We have a 2022 kid (5'7" & 175 lbs) and are looking for advise. He is a RHP and his top FB velocity last summer was 79. He is part of a competitive travel team and participated in five PG tournaments summer/fall and made the All-Tournament Teams in four of the five for pitching and all five for hitting. (The one he missed for pitching was due to an injury where he did not pitch. ) I understand the All-Tournament Teams is not a big deal but mention it as back ground information. He also...
Topic
How do I sharpen up my fielding game?
I really aspire to be a consistent fielder so much so that a gold glove is worth more than any hitting award to me usually. Its a sign of a ballplayer and 95% fielding is just a cool part of the game to me. I love catching deep flyballs and taking infield, but grounders are my favorite to work with. I'm consistent with my grounders as I field the vast majority of them but the ones I mishandled are almost always weak ones that pop up (on the ground/hop not off the glove) after practically...
Topic
New Video of Receiving, Blocking, and Throwing
Hello everyone. I just uploaded a new skills video to YouTube here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3A_IRAiJFY Please give me some feedback on what you guys think. Any advice is appreciated.
Topic
POP TIME HELP NEEDED
Here is a link to video that I took today: https://youtu.be/LYaIejiLi30 Any advice for catching? I felt like my throws were good and quick, but I timed them at 2.2, nothing below 2.0 which I think I can get. Any advice for mechanics?
Topic
Pitcher wanting to catch
So...my son has been pitching for a couple of years. He's in 8th grade, playing on his high school team. in the past, he's expressed a desire to catch, but because of his birthday he has typically been one of the younger (smaller) kids on his teams. Fast forward to high school, the 5 catchers in the baseball program seem to be the smaller framed players, so this has reignited his interest in catching. He tells me that he wants to catch to become a better pitcher, learn more about game...
Topic
2019 C/Utility out of England
I have little to no context of skill or coaching as a player in the United Kingdom, as the baseball infrastructure here is severely lacking. I'm 6'0, 175lb, with a hand-timed record pop time of 2.05. I try and self-coach as much as possible when practices are few and far between, emulating players on Instagram and YouTube. I've played international baseball with Team GB, which is probably at the same level as US high school, and I have a career average in those tournaments of .445. I will be...
Topic
Catching Pop Time
Need some help, tips, advice for my throws to second. I was thinking that I should be throwing under 2.0 to the bag, but I am not from what I saw of my recent video that I got of myself. any advice, mechanically, etc. on what to do? What could I be doing wrong? There is the link to my video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RavimeYq3Ig
Topic
Catcher Skills
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdHr6JAOE2s Here is a link to my video from Baseball Factory. Here is a link to my Baseball Factory page: http://members.baseballfactory...er/_/109066/#member/ Can I have any catching advice, more on...
Topic
Mid-Atlantic Rookies and Mike Chroniger
I am wondering if Mike Chroniger's team is still the Mid-Atlantic Rookies. I am getting catching lessons from him. Can anyone please give some "reviews" on his coaching? I am very excited to get lessons from him as I've heard form one person that he...
Reply
Re: Catcher Skills
Wesley, As a 16 year old, you have a good base to work with. I would recommend three things immediately: 1. Lose the Knee Savers. This should allow you to get lower in your stance. Also along that line...get more flexible in your hip flexors. Take a yoga class. You have a pretty good sized frame and you will need to present a low target at times. Flexibility is very important. 2. Find a long toss or arm strengthening/stabilizing program. We use Jamie Evans' Velo-City (...
Reply
Re: Catcher Skills
Originally Posted by redbird5: Wesley, As a 16 year old, you have a good base to work with. I would recommend three things immediately: 1. Lose the Knee Savers. This should allow you to get lower in your stance. Also along that line...get more flexible in your hip flexors. Take a yoga class. You have a pretty good sized frame and you will need to present a low target at times. Flexibility is very important. 2. Find a long toss or arm strengthening/stabilizing program. We use Jamie Evans'...
Reply
Re: Catcher Skills
Originally Posted by CaCO3Girl: Has your velocity been clocked on your throw down? I have been clocked at 75 mph.
Reply
Re: Catcher Skills
Originally Posted by standballdad: Originally Posted by redbird5: Wesley, As a 16 year old, you have a good base to work with. I would recommend three things immediately: 1. Lose the Knee Savers. This should allow you to get lower in your stance. Also along that line...get more flexible in your hip flexors. Take a yoga class. You have a pretty good sized frame and you will need to present a low target at times. Flexibility is very important. 2. Find a long toss or arm...
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
I understand this post is old but for others looking it for reference, i see a few things wrong with technique... Your getting way to vertical when you throw. Think of a sprinter...They dont stand up to run...They start out low and streamed line... When you launch....you should be doing the same... Also your sitting flat, catching the ball (getting that pop) and then starting your feet movement. You should be already moving as the ball pop's the glove. I call it "cheating". I will tell my...
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
I wonder what college coaches think when they receive a recruiting video that indicates a pop time on the title page, and then proceeds to display a 1/2 dozen throws where the catcher is prematurely rising out of his receiving stance ("cheating")?
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
Not to be argumentative, but when I observe this, I count it as a negative. To the bare eye, what you describe would suggest to me that the catcher is "running with the ball" --taking extra steps. I envision a catcher's jumpshift/throw/followthrough occurring within the confines of (large) phone booth. But I'm no expert. Just my 2 cents.
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
My son takes one step follow through...Go "through" home plate as opposed to the side (think of falling off a mound). The video is showing the catcher standing up and lift his rear leg but not really following through...This will help generate power....
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
I apologize, I didn't watch the video. ______ Edited to say: I just watched the video, and was impressed that the OP was able to get rid of the ball compactly and quickly, without cheating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
No problem.... And I am by far no an expert.... Just an observation...
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
Coaches know "cheating" when they see it. If you're making a video DO NOT cheat and also don't put pop times you timed yourself on the video....there's no way to verify them. If you're at a showcase that has coaches watching....don't cheat so much that it's obvious. Sure your POP time will look good to the coaches who read the review the next day, but you're trying to impress the coaches who are WATCHING! You tell your kids as they are growing up...."nobody likes a cheater"....why would you...
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
Your associating the word "cheat" with being dishonest. It is a word that I use to remind my son of a few items while preparing to receive. It was also taught to him by a former MLB catcher. It simply refers to shifting his body and feet AS he is receiving the ball instead of AFTER which is both legal and taught. Saying "cheat it" is easier than saying " don't forget to initiate your footwork as your receiving the ball. Don't wait". I'll also say cheat up if I thinks he's too far back or...
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
Freddy- Proper technique is for the receiving to initiate as he is receiving the ball. Coaches watching this will see a catcher who has received advanced instruction. Every coach with catching experience has complimented my 14 year old on this technique... The term "cheat it" was used by a former MLB coach and we added it to our terminology.
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
I wasn't associating it with breaking rules. My son has played for and trained with 3 different former MLB pitchers. He caught for one of them. They all basically said the same thing.....don't cheat because what if the pitch is in the dirt?? Quote: "you're screwed and your pitcher is mad....catch every pitch as if you expect it in the dirt"......good advice. I guess maybe you have time to initiate footwork then change your mind as a 14U kid.....but it's a lot tougher at 16U/17U when kids are...
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
If the pitch is in the dirt he's blocking first..... he has time to determine if the pitch is one he is throwing down on or having to receive before initiating...and there shouldnt be any surprise pitches as he already knows what pitch he called.... And yes he is catching kids in the 80's. Our stud HS pitcher is high 80's. Not sure why this seems so difficult...
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
Thanks for the reply. I completely forgot about this post. I have improved and my arm strength has gotten better as I had been hitting the weight room for the past couple months. High school senior season starting Monday and I am excited. I also have committed to a D1 JuCo as of December, I signed my LoI. I will try to get newer video up sometime.
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
From my college recruiting experience I can tell you that they are not impressed and will want to see you in a game to see how you do.
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
Thanks for the reply. What does OP mean? haha. That is my video that I took months ago. I have gotten better as I have been in the weight room and my arm strength has gotten better along with mechanics.
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
"initiate your footwork as you're receiving the ball." "You should be already moving as the ball pop's the glove." Kevin, Credit to your son that he's able to do this without mis-handling the pitch. I get a genuine impression that he's advanced for his age. I'm skeptical, however, that "initiate your footwork..." is good advice regarding game-throws for the typical HS catcher .
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
The master... Is he cheating? Try to stop the video on first pop of catchers glove and check out his position. What would college coaches think? http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/6...don-of-a-stolen-base
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
PG- What I see is he has a slightly turned body while waiting to receive. As he is receiving the ball he has already initiated his body to turn as the ball hits the mitt. In the initial posters video, he never moves till after the ball hits the mitt. This was what I was trying to get the initial poster to understand. And if I recall his video he was completely square to the pitcher during his throw downs...I would also have him in a stance where his right foot would be slightly behind the...
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
Thank you! I am super excited. Just can't wait to start lifting again. Got to stop because high school season starts next week.
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
https://www.catching-101.com/ cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/ 03/lucroy_warmup.gif Here is Lucroy "cheating" receiving a pitch while warming up. Freddy- Why dont you tell me what major league teams, college teams would say about it...
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
I don't know about MLB or college. But I think that a typical HS catcher increases his risk of mishandling the pitch if he's coached to try to get a headstart on his jumpshift (In a game.) Especially on lower pitches.
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
The video camera is a mile away. Try shooting closer from the 1st dugout side so all your mechanics can be clearly seem. Edit to exclude the standing around time, take more time to recover between throws.
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
I don't see any more than maybe 2 of those being at 2.2.....your arm strength is a major issue at this point if you're hoping to really cut your pop times down. A few of those throws are 12-15' high when they cross the pitchers mound.....you need to be throwing them at or a foot above his head. Work on that and your POP times will come down. Your footwork doesn't look bad on the throws that the pitcher gave you that you could work with....it's all an arm issue right now. Once you get that...
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
Thanks for the reply. I am working on arm strength. Lifting now until March. I got more video today on a grass field. Will post the link ASAP.
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
Here is the newest video from today: https://youtu.be/zsUPiB4vYcs Sadly some of my best throws were not included due to my phone running out of storage.
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
Again, the footwork isn't bad....but the video overall is of absolutely no use to you....though the camera angle from there is much better than from behind 2nd. Throwing to a net just doesn't work....you just can't get an idea of where the throws really are. I wouldn't bother doing another one until you can have a player at 2nd catching your throws. Heck, have your little sister or brother stand off to the side 5-10 feet away and throw to you...and let the kid in the video (looks like he can...
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
Thanks for the glove movement tip, will work on it. As for the helping of the video shooting, I will try to get help. Hard to have people that will help you when they want to do other things. Where do you suggest that I have the camera at? I have it set up on a tripod and can't have anyone hold it.
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
The camera behind you was ok....much better than the one from out by 2nd base
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
See angle for throws to 2nd. Everything the catcher does with his hands and feet can be clearly seen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbHhW35Lkt8
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
My opinion, your throwing hand should not be at your cup, but behind the glove. When you receive the ball, let the ball momentum, with the guidance of your left arm guide the ball and the glove up towards your right shoulder while rotating the glove, so that your hand can simply grab the ball and release (this is a quicker way to get the arm into the throwing position). The ball has to cooperate (meaning your pitcher needs to target better for video). Also, get your pitchers phone to record...
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
Welsey; you should focus on the "role of a catcher' . Arm strength is only one phase and their are several methods to adjust. During infield speed up your throws to the bases, move in the front of the plate. QUICK RELEASE! as I have mentioned you can warm up with a teammate by catching the ball off the heal of the mitt for quick transfer. 1. calling the game. "read the bat" 2. read the runner. when is stealing " is his right toe point to second base 3. know your pitcher, give him signs for...
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
Okay, thank you. Now here is another question. What is the order of importance of catching skills? Like numbered, what would receiving, blocking, throwing, game calling, pitcher relationships, and etc be in order of importance?
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
WHEN WE PLAY INTERNATIONALLY OR AT COLLEGE., they all equal for the team to WIN! after all isn't winning or losing? Bob.
Reply
Re: POP TIME HELP NEEDED
Just asked my catcher Wesley, he said: Receiving, Pitcher Relationship, Game Calling, Blocking and then Throwing. He thinks Receiving is 85% of what catcher does, Blocking 10% + Throwing 5%.