Catcher pop times are not important because hitters can't run.

If you understood what a pop time was then you wouldn't be asking this question.

The pop time it is not so important, at least when the catcher knows that somebody is taking the time. The important thing it is how fast the catcher release the ball to throw to the base in a real game situation without affecting his accuracy, arm strengh, foot work, etc.. I have seen catchers at showcases doing extra effort, and catching the ball almost in standing position in order to get good pop time.

Pop times are important because they are an objective way of measuring a specific athletic motion. In a sport in which many judgements are subjective, it is a useful tool.

Just as the pitcher who throws 95 is not necessarily a "better" pitcher than one than throws 88, having a sub 2.0 pop does not necessarily mean that you are a better defensive catcher than someone who is slower on pop time.

But once again, it is a means of measurement. What evaluators do with that measurement is what separates the wheat from the chaff.

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Can anyone explain to me why catcher pop times are so important?

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While your post is in the form of a question, you’re actually making a statement…
Maybe a more appropriate way to ask that question would be:
“Are catcher’s pop times important? If so…Why?

As the father of a catcher they are important to me… as for a scout or a coach..I guess that depends on them..

Usma82 sums it up….Pop times are nothing more that a measurement..

Pop times mean nothing if the catcher cannot throw runners our ie Mike Piazza

It's important to throw out all those speedster's that speed was more important than hitting abilities!

sorry - just couldn't resist!

1.8 pop is almost as important to a catcher as it is for a pitcher to hit 90.............

Can anyone explain why 90 mile per hour pitchers are so important?

And, yes, that question is a statement, too, Fungo.

Pop times are no longer as important as they used to be. The game does not emphasize the stolen base as much as in the past. As long as a catcher can hit he will play.

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Pop times are no longer as important as they used to be.

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True, but they're still very important.

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The game does not emphasize the stolen base as much as in the past.

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True, but that would change quickly if catchers couldn't throw.

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As long as a catcher can hit he will play.

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True, but he wouldn't be playing behind the plate.

The pop time is important so coaches can measure how lousy a job their pitchers are doing holding runners on first and getting the pitch to the plate as quick as possible.

Amen!

limom-

That's not true. My son is a burner with 6.8 speed and he generally has an easy time stealing bases, 38 out of 39 attempts this year and he didn't walk 38 times. He can mash. He would have had many more stolen bases if not for the many extra base hits he had. Regarding the pop times, as I stated earlier, the emphasis is no longer on the stolen base, and I guess it makes it that much easier for the fast kids to have an impact on the bases.

limom,
I'm closing this thread because you solicited answers or comments using one post and then after a number of replies and two days later, you modify your original post which could lead to some confusion. I know you’ll understand.
Fungo