Catcher Leadership - Part 2

Excellent idea to have a plan, Dave.

In order to implement, you two may want to prioritize, keeping in mind importance to his game and his comfort level. Then he can add the characteristics bit by bit until they are a natural part of his performance. He's got plenty to do as it is without being distracted by too much at one time.

If I may comment on a few....

As an extention of #4. Give assistance to get assistance. If the 1st or 3rd basemen are going after a foul ball, get an angle to let them know how many steps to the wall, "got room", etc so that they may concentrate on the ball only, knowing that he's looking out for obstacles. In return, he can ask the IF (it should be the pitcher, but they don't seem to be especially good at this ) to help him out with WP/PB/pop foul locatons with 'third base', first base' and 'straight back' and pointing. ('Up' always makes me a crazy person on pop fouls to the backstop....why don't they just yell "ball"? )

Re: #6. Sometimes the mound conversation shouldn't have anything to do with the game, such as when a pitcher is pressing too much. That's the time for a joke, a random comment on life, the universe, and everything, whatever. Remember the wedding gift discussion in Bull Durham? There are times just to step away from the game and get perspective.

#8 No great display, just pointing and yelling the guy's name, "job", or an "awright" shows that note was taken. Little backslap on the way back to the dugout wouldn't go amiss. That's the easy one; everybody likes recognition.

"Rah rah" is a tough one, as everybody has their own definition. I'm not a fan as I've seen too many guys on my son's teams along the way who seemed to think all that positive reinforcement to the team was a substitute for working to get better. To me, 'rah' should be saved for the times when the team or a player is so down on themselves that their hurting the team; then it means something. Probably didn't put that well, but I have an aversion to cheerleaders. (You remember the old line -- the reason baseball doesn't have cheerleaders is because baseball fans are smart enough to know when to cheer on their own!)

What's your son think about incorporating these ideas?

Dave.....

It's great to have your boy thinking about these things now......I would offer a couple more suggestions......

Since he is one of the guys and most likely a pretty good leader already, make sure he still is HIMSELF, that he doesn't try too hard to be something that he is not.

Depending on who is pitching, it may be the pitcher who is in control of the game, and he needs to be aware of the qualities that his pitchers bring to the field.

Also, a couple of those items.....most specifically #4, could be over-stepping his bounds......depending on the coach......If I am the coach then I will position my infielders, but if his coach isn't going to do it, then by all means the catcher would have a green light to do so!!!

I would also suggest that he tries to sit next to the pitcher when they come into the dugout (unless one of them is batting)....even if they have nothing in particular to discuss.....a thought may come up that they can communicate to each other about.

And as far as acknowledgeing a good play by a teammate......it often means more to a teammate to hear it once they get into the dugout......after it is already out of lots of other peoples' memories.

An extension of #2 that you don't see very often but is helpful is to let the fielders know which spot in the order is up. SHows that the catcher knows the situation!

Re #4 I think the coaches generally like to handle this. Having the catcher position the fielders might be a big tipoff to the pitch being thrown. Having said that there's nothing wrong with the catcher repositioning a player obviously out of position.

Extension to #6: Do this when the umpire needs extra time, too, such as after getting stung by a foul, etc. Get into this habit early in your career. Umps will typically repay the consideration.

Also, to expand on what Orlando said re #4, this applies to lining up infielders when they assisting outfielders. Let the cutoff guy know "left", "right", "OK".

My son was in a situation last year coming into a new team with an inordinate number of immature bratty kids who wouldn't listen to the catcher's directions.

His challenge was to learn to "become a leader without being a boss." Sometimes that's a fine line that you don't realize you've crossed until you catch some flack for it.

Dave, I coached a kid once that went on to a very good D-1 Program. He never Rah Rah etc. He was the silent type. However, he did his work by example on the field and then off of the field, he was a FORCE in the dugout. Say that one great play, you knew where he would be sitting - Right next to the kid that made the great play talking to him and building him up. Say some teammate pointed out some outstanding play he made. He would say thanks, then compliment another player. Every interview he did was always about team and teammates achievements. That is LEADERSHIP!

Coach

Plenty in your shoes would feel lucky to get one like that. I'm sure you do too.

As always...Thanks!!! Anyone have some stories about catcher/pitcher conversations on the mound. My son was pitching and the catcher said 'don't worry, you only gave up a tripple, two doubles and three walks..but we have two outs!" It was so absurd my son cracked up and struck the next batter out.