Catcher play at the plate

I like my catcher about a foot up the line from the plate with his left foot pointing toward 3B and HIS MASK ON. His right foot inside the line. We do this to force the runner to the outside.

No such animal as an average throw. Your catcher better be able to make an out regardless of the throw if it beats the runner. Same with the first baseman and the MI on a steal. Adjust and make the play. All throws are a little off. If they are perfect, the fielder doesn't have to do anything.

Let's focus here, Doughnutman. Accurate throw, not average throw.

Let's get real Daque. How often do you see an average throw? 90% of throws at any level are off the plate. Especially from an outfielder throwing the ball 300 feet. Catchers gotta make a play. If it is right on the plate it is an easy out. Pretty rare play in IMO. Most of the time the catchers have to get the ball. Stand any where you want. The throw will determine where the catcher has to be.

Who is talking about an average throw? I stated an accurate throw to take that variable out of the equation. If you don't have an opinion don't try to answer it or try to change the conditions of the question. Just don't get involved in the string.

I didn't know you were the string police LOL. A catcher should stand in an athletic pose preparing himself to make a catch and block the plate. How he stands doesn't mean much as long as he is on the third base side of home I guess. He is going to have to move 90% of the time so why worry about it. The other 10% of the time he will merely need to make a catch and block the plate. Where your feet are is depended on where the baserunner goes. Inside, outside, or through him. In all cases you will be moving as the play develops. How you start doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is your reaction to the throw and the runner.

Is this better? I believe I addressed the original thread.

I am not the string police but I would hope that if you wish to talk off topic you would begin your own string. But you are getting warmner. You continue to factor in off target throws to distract from the original question which I will rephrase especially for you.

Assume that the catcher already has the ball after an amazing acrobatic catch by the pitcher who then fired it to the him. What is your preference as to feet placement by the catcher for the ensuing tag play at the plate? There is no wrong answer. I just want to know your preference for my own edification. What are your druthers?

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Originally posted by Daque:
...Assume that the catcher already has the ball after an amazing acrobatic catch by the pitcher who then fired it to the him...

Uhhh...why is the pitcher relaying the throw to the catcher?

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Uhhh...why is the pitcher relaying the throw to the catcher?

The pitcher is relaying it from the batter who hit it to him.

Why do bears **** in the woods? What kind of mustard does the concession stand use on their pretzles? Who's on first?

Who cares? The pitcher found the ball in his glove and threw accurately (not averagely)to the catcher who is waiting for the runner to arrive from third. Where do you advise the catcher to place his feet? In his ******* shoes?

Daque,
I really don't think it matters where his feet are pointing. I would only make sure that they are off the plate. Preferably on the third base side if he has time to adjust. Facing the play.

And just for fun and giggles, check out my "keep your own pitch count thread." I believe you were discussing whether a catcher should call his own game and at what age in the thread.

As DM said, I prefer to have my catchers slightly up the third base line in an athletic position ready to adjust to both the throw and the runner…however, that is on a play where they have time to set up (think runner on 2B and base hit with runner trying to score or sac fly.) On some plays (such as squeeze plays where the ball is bunted right back to the pitcher) they just have to quickly move into a position where they can block the plate and have a reasonable chance at catching the ball….those are such bang bang plays that it is almost instinctive.

Funny story though on this topic….we were playing in a game yesterday (11U) and my son was catching. There was a runner on 3B and batter hit a fly to right field….runner tagged and RF threw a laser to the plate. My son caught the ball, pivoted, went to his knees to block the plate (mandatory slide rule at this age, so no big collisions at the plate.) Anyway…it was picture perfect….well the runner (to his credit) saw this and rather than sliding…just hurdled my son. He cleared my son by 18” or more and landed directly on the plate….my son just stayed there with a “WTH just happened” look on his face. I felt bad for him because he took it pretty hard and felt he let his team down…but it was a great learning experience and something I guarantee will never happen to him again.

I guess the moral of the story is, even if your catcher sets up perfectly or is in the perfect position with ball in hand…he still needs to be able to react to the ball as well as be aware of the runner and react to what he does in order to make the play.

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Anyway…it was picture perfect….well the runner (to his credit) saw this and rather than sliding…just hurdled my son. He cleared my son by 18

I believe the runner should have been called out for hurdleing the catcher.
I think he has to slide, go back or give up.