Catcher's Pop Time

Jjjrea,

Best of luck to your son. The cream rises to the top sooner or later.
I wouldn’t get too hung up on that .375 though. If he’s a college freshman and he is being red shirted his college batting average is .000, so far. What he did before college doesn’t count anymore! Most college starters hit very well before college. Anyway, sounds like your son is very talented. Hope he ends up having a great career.

I've found it interesting over the last couple of years looking at PG catcher stats from showcases. I've seen some kids throw 2.2 but with 75+ MPH velocity, meaning probably that his footwork and transfers need work. On the other hand I've seen some kids throw 1.9's with maybe 69-70 MPH velocity which could mean that their footwork and transfers are outstanding, if they work on arm strength they could really be something special. I guess it means that every kid has SOMETHING that needs work to improve themselves. And like has been said before, it don't mean "jack" if you don't get runners out, or at least make opposing coaches think twice before sending a runner on you.

Good post on pop times. I think PG and his showcases have it down. For others, and I don't mean to sound to know-it-allish, you must have those cathcers down receiving the pitch and getting the call first. I have a coach or player toss it in then the catcher moves and throws. It is a glove-to-glove pop time that counts. I have timed many high schoolers during games, and pitch location does matter. On average, most everyday highschool Jr and Snr catchers throw 2.1 to 2.25. I have only seen a small percentage throw consistently under 2.0. Some will say that I'm not seeing talent, but many of these kids are playing in Juco, D-2 and D-1 programs. I have recently recorded a high school frosh at 1.97 to 2.12 on several occasions and he gets me excited. He's quite exceptional. PG, he's an 09 and you will be seeing him in the near future as his dad and I have spoken about PG events. Others should make sure to get good glove-to-glove times. Thats been my experience.

Coachric

I have a question about the pop time.

In games i have been at a 1.9 or occasional 1.8. However, whenever I am at a camp and they test my pop time i am around a 2.0.

Is it unusual that my times in game are better.

HSCatcher#6,
It normally goes the other way with the camp or the showcase times being lower. Some players' arms are "slower" to warm up to peak performance so you might want to make sure your body and arm are stretched and "warm" at camps. I also might suspect the person measuring your game times is anticipating the catch at 2b. No problem because with a 1.8 to a 2.0 your pop time is very good.
Fungo

Part of me thinks that im quicker when i see a runer try to steal. Do you think the competition may be part of it as well.

My first response would be “no” the competition decreasing your pop times. Most think the batter standing in the batters box tends to keep the catcher from “cheating” on the throw down and I think this would out weight the “adrenaline rush” you get from the runner stealing. Don’t know for sure. Maybe catching coach, PG, or bbscout could chime in here.

HSCatcher#6--My son was the same way--much quicker in games than in showcases. He tended to "overthink" during the showcase while just reacting during the games.

However, I do agree with those who say that, in general, showcase poptimes are faster than game poptimes.

We actually have seen a few catchers whose game pop times are fairly close to workout times. I suppose it could be due to adrenalin or something. It is very rare though! 1.9 to 2 flat in a game is very very good! We've seen a few 1.8 workout catchers who have trouble touching 2 flat in the games. That's why the game times are most important.

However, also remember... catchers in the game will sometimes do what is necessary to throw out the runner. Sometimes this requires a 1.9 and sometimes it requires a 2.3. So just because you get a game 2.3 doesn't mean the catcher can only throw 2.3. (if that makes any sense)

HSCatcher#6, Holden Caulfield -- My son also has typically had better POP times during the games than between innings or at the many showcases we went to. In games he would be 1.88 to 1.92 and in non games he would be 1.90 to 1.95. I asked a scout about that and he said that was a good problem to have and he checked it out for himself and confirmed it. My son also agrees that he does better when he reacts instead of trying make the perfect throw. Anyway he is off to an SEC school in the fall so he must be doing something right?

Thank you i appreciate the responses. I do have one more.

How could i improve my showcase times to match what i throw in a game?