Tagged With "Catching"
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Re: Pitcher wanting to catch
You will not see a P/C in college. Possey was a SS I believe in HS. This kids HS team already has 5 catchers, unless he's amazing he won't be a catcher there. To the dad whose son is in HS and a starting P on Fri then catching the Sat game. WHY r u allowing that? The coach is only thinking of winning a game, not what's best for your sons arm. If this kid is a good P I would not let him start catching too. You'll have to deal w coaches like this one that will abuse arm.
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Re: Pitcher wanting to catch
RJM, the OP said there were 5 catchers and his kid was on the small side. You and the other posters are talking about turning a highly athletic player into a catcher....I think that's a bit different than picking up the gear in 8th grade and beating out 5 guys for the job while trying to pitch.
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Re: Pitcher wanting to catch
Posey was the shortstop at FSU. Rod Delmonico was fired as head coach at Tennessee. He was buddies with Marrtin. He became an assist. His son was an all SEC shortstop at Tennesee. He transferred to FSU with his dad. The FSU catcher graduated. Posey was moved to catcher.
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Re: Pitcher wanting to catch
Sorry, should have specified...the five catchers are as of right now, not counting 1 graduating and 1 expected to transfer, leaving 3...1 varsity, 2 JV. Thanks for the That's good advice, his travel ball coach and HS know each other... I agree, all the catchers I see now are athletes. He is one of the more athletic kids on his travel team and even though he is almost the youngest on his HS team, he has nearly the fastest 40 times with great range and a wicked arm. Thanks for the advice
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Re: Catching Pop Time
Try to get rid of the arc on the ball. Get on top of it and fire a bullet to the bag.
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Re: Catching Pop Time
I will work on that! What is the best thing to do for arm strength? How often can I long toss and do band work? I do band work like 3 times a week and use it to warm up before a game.
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Re: Catching mask
Related question: My son wants to go to a 2 piece mask because he says that he can see better with it. It seems like that wide design of the mask gives a better view both peripherally and directional line of sight. Was wondering if anyone else had seen that as a reason for going to the old style. Comments?
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Re: Catching mask
I've worn both... and there is a perceived difference in field of vision but not any real difference. I think it is due to the sides of the helmet being against your face. But like said before, if your son plays under NFHS rules he has to wear the hockey style helmet
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Re: Catching mask
Originally Posted by mepp: Related question: My son wants to go to a 2 piece mask because he says that he can see better with it. It seems like that wide design of the mask gives a better view both peripherally and directional line of sight. Was wondering if anyone else had seen that as a reason for going to the old style. Comments? You can come up with whatever reason you want, NFHS rules specify that the mask must be approved by NOCSAE as a unit. The two-piece mask/helmet does not meet...
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Re: Catching mask
Originally Posted by Backstop1512: 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 style masks. I also thought they were cool looking, and after doing some research on them, I have read some Pros and Cons. Most Cons were saying how it doesn't cover ears, or their state doesn't approve it. The...
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Re: Catching mask
Originally Posted by BishopLeftiesDad: Originally Posted by Backstop1512: 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 style masks. I also thought they were cool looking, and after doing some research on them, I have read some Pros and Cons. Most Cons were saying how it doesn't cover ears,...
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Re: Catching mask
Unless you trust that the hitters won't clip you, I would stick with the hockey style.
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Re: Catching mask
You have an All-Star MVP4000 and you're thinking of using a two-piece? Geez, that's the best mask you can get. It's pretty cool looking too if you consider Yadier, Buster, etc.
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Re: Catching mask
The mask helmet is there for protection and safety. Never make a decision on any safety equipment based on how cool it looks or what others are doing. Get the one that protects you the most. That would be the hockey style mask.
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Re: Catching mask
Originally Posted by coach2709: The mask helmet is there for protection and safety. Never make a decision on any safety equipment based on how cool it looks or what others are doing. Get the one that protects you the most. That would be the hockey style mask. My son is in 9th grade and will be trying out for his HS team in the next few weeks. He has always used a hockey style mask since he started catching in LL 5-6 years ago. All the time he asks me about getting a traditional style and,...
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Re: Catching mask
Originally Posted by Batty67: Originally Posted by coach2709: The mask helmet is there for protection and safety. Never make a decision on any safety equipment based on how cool it looks or what others are doing. Get the one that protects you the most. That would be the hockey style mask. My son is in 9th grade and will be trying out for his HS team in the next few weeks. He has always used a hockey style mask since he started catching in LL 5-6 years ago. All the time he asks me about...
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Re: Catching mask
....But the whole "cool" and "everyone's doing it" is generational. When the hockey style mask came out everyone wanted to have one because it was "cool" and "everyone's doing it" as well. Now that the hockey style is the norm the kids coming up see the old two piece as trendy...... I'm waiting for the curved bill hat worn straight to come back in style.
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Re: Catching mask
My son wears both of the All Star types. We live in TX so in the school year he has to wear the hockey style. No issues with it. In the summer he prefers the two piece. He is a kid who sweats a lot and he finds the two piece to be more comfortable in the heat. He claims it stays drier as well.
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Re: Catching mask
My son is a 14yo 8th grader and prefers the two piece (Mizuno mask, Wilson skull cap)over his hockey style helmet (All Star 2500). He will wear the All Star if rules says it so and has no problems wearing either. He just prefers the two piece. He says the two piece is cooler (temperature not looks) and on foul tips don't ring his bell like the hockey style sometimes does. The fact that the foul tips don't rattle him is enough for me to support it. I coach his team and I have argued for him...
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Re: Catching mask
Originally Posted by Sugi: My son is a 14yo 8th grader and prefers the two piece (Mizuno mask, Wilson skull cap)over his hockey style helmet (All Star 2500). He will wear the All Star if rules says it so and has no problems wearing either. He just prefers the two piece. He says the two piece is cooler (temperature not looks) and on foul tips don't ring his bell like the hockey style sometimes does. The fact that the foul tips don't rattle him is enough for me to support it. I coach his team...
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Re: Catching mask
The only reason I preferred the two piece set up was that it was easier to wear sunglasses with the mask on.
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Re: Catching mask
And let's not forget the super-extension follow-through that can clip a catcher in the side or back of the head. Yes, rare, but it does happen. Just another safety consideration.
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Re: Catching mask
High school rules require the one piece, hockey style, the rationale on I that was there was no way you test a 2 piece together... Kids wear different helmets with different masks. Keep your 2 piece for summer ball but you have no choice for high school.
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Re: Catching mask
Trojan skipper hits this on the head.....if you play under NFHS rules, and most all HS baseball is, there is no choice, the traditional mask and helmet are prohibited for NFHS play. it does have to be NOCSAE certified and have dual ear protection......thus the HSM is the most used mask......
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Catching Gear Survey
This is a survey I made to try and see if there are any improvements that people think should be made on catchers gear. Its only a few questions and shouldn't take much of your time. To access it please click the link below. Google Form
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Re: Catch in the spring, pitch in the summer and fall
My middle son discussed a similar situation back when he played high school and travel baseball. Frankly, we avoided the pitcher/catcher situation as best we could for as long as we could. Through his older brother we were keenly aware of the best arm care practices, and what to do and not do. He had the added benefit of having a very good left handed bat in the lineup. So, he decided he'd rather pitch/DH or play first base (on none pitching days) to best protect his arm in high school...
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Re: Catch in the spring, pitch in the summer and fall
We had a pitcher in HS who rarely pitched, mostly caught. That was because he was the best catcher, but also there were no catchers who could catch him, he threw too hard. He pitched in the summer, in college and then was drafted, so not pitching in HS didn't hurt him.
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Re: Catch in the spring, pitch in the summer and fall
He's currently the backup. Next season when he's the #2 pitcher he would be the starting catcher. He's not afraid of blocking or collisions, he's just aware that there's some risk there. I think one of his greater fears is how this break from the bump would affect his pitching. I'm a bit concerned about the wear on his knees although he has done great work in the weight room. I greatly appreciate the reply. Thanks
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Re: Catch in the spring, pitch in the summer and fall
The other kid they've tried sometimes has trouble holding onto fastballs thrown right down the middle. The JV catcher isn't much better. If I was the coach I would probably trade my #2 pitcher in for a good catcher. The dropoff from him at pitcher to the next best arm isn't nearly as great as it is at the catcher position.
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Re: Catch in the spring, pitch in the summer and fall
My son is getting some time as a DH this season so his bat may get him in the game next spring as a Junior even though he's not left handed. Thanks for the perspective, I appreciate it.
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Catch in the spring, pitch in the summer and fall
My son is currently a sophomore on his high school varsity team. He has worked very hard in the weight room and on the field to improve his pitching. That said his team has a senior catcher and no prospects for next year at the position. My son is currently the backup. As a result he hasn't pitched at all. I'm sure by next spring he'll be a top 2 pitcher on the team but they don't have nobody else to catch so he thinks his best opportunity for playing time is behind the plate. He enjoys...
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Re: Catch in the spring, pitch in the summer and fall
How big is the difference between your son and the next catcher? If there is a huge defensive drop off I can see why the coach would want to leave him behind the plate. If the other kid is decent I would want him getting some time on the mound.
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Re: Catch in the spring, pitch in the summer and fall
I would beware of pitching AND catching. It can cause havoc to your arm. When my son was a freshman on varsity, he was the starting catcher. They would often have him catch 5 innings and then go in and pitch the last 2 innings as the closer. By his sophomore year, he was having shoulder pain. After an MRI, X-rays and a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon he was diagnosed with a labral tear. He was fortunate. Surgery wasn't needed, but he did have to have 6 straight weeks of ZERO throwing...
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Re: Catch in the spring, pitch in the summer and fall
My son catches and pitches. As long as he has a good arm care program and you manage the workload properly there should be no issues. I've never had a concern about an injury blocking baseballs. Sure, might catch a good bruise here or there, but nothing long term. I wouldn't let fear of an injury prevent him from playing a certain position. If there is fear of blocking or collisions then catching probably isn't a good spot for him. It will always be in the back of his/your mind. If he wants...