Catcher's Pop Time

2.0

Would any DI programs take a kid who throws a 2.1?

If you are talking about "in-game" pop times, I would say that anything near a 2.0 would be quite acceptable. Alot of the pop times you hear are ones that are artificial (throwing down in between innings or a staged throwdown. Accuracy plays such a big part of catching baserunners. For example, if you have one catcher throw 2.0 but is all over the place, but another who throws 2.1 and hits the bag, I'll take the 2.1 everytime. Keep working on it, catchers get faster as they get stronger and technique is critical.

If you are 2.1 but throw runners out you will get interest

under 2.0.

2.10 no matter what some people claim is SLOW, watch how much interest a 2.10 release time gets you at East Coast Pro Showcase

DRIVEL

Read the young mans question--he talking college Division I and a 2.1 will get him there

I had read the message 2.10 is SLOW. He better be a great hitter, because everyone will be running on him.

Review of Catchers I had at HS Showcases
Releases and where they are at
2.0 NAIA
2.09 NAIA
2.0 Div 2
1.96 Div 1
2.0 NAIA
1.95 Drafted 5th RD signed Div 1
1.98 Div 3
1.96 Div 3
2.0 NAIA
1.88 JUCO
2.0 Div 1
1.89 JUCO

anything is possible saw a 5-6 pitcher throwing 70-71 mph in a college game last weekend, and the game was on the line too

Again, I think we need to keep in mind how the pop times are calculated. Some catchers are really good at manipulating pop times at an event (step ahead of the plate, start early, etc.) The proof in the pudding so to speak is how that translates in a game situation. I've seen guys with 1.9 arms having a difficult time throwing anybody out. Biggest issue to me will be arm strength and technique. Of course, you have to hope that the player can receive and has a bat, but simply throwing a 2.1 will not erase you from the list.

To JBDdad...there is so much to being a catcher that is valuable. Every catcher at the college level does not have a plus arm. There are alot of things that can be done to improve pop times. Keep after it!

Thanks for everyone's comments. It sounds to me that 2.1 pop may get you to DI provided you have a lot of the other catcher skills.

To cut back on the "cheating" put a batter up there to swing and miss. I saw it done at one of the showcases my son went to and it worked very well.

I was wondering if a 2.2 pop time for the first time ever taken for a catcher is very good. or good enough to get some kind of ride at Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, MO

bearcatball: I believe Coach Sam Berg is still the head coach at Southwest Baptist. He is a great guy and I would bet he would be more than willing to answer any questions you may have. He is very open and honest. Try calling his office or writing him a letter.

Keep in mind that pop times are only as good as the guy operating the stopwatch. If we are talking the difference between at 2.1 and a 1.9, that is 2 tenths of a second. Not much time. The times listed above, I would take with a grain of salt.

Most quality showcases have a couple of guys on their watches to make sure the time is accurate.

Also keep in mind what a particular program is looking for.
We have a local catcher who has signed D1 and is no better than a 2.0 on his best day.
However, the kid is a switch hitter who can kill the ball when he's hot.

rbinaz

You have hit the nail on the head--- if a kid can mash he will play--on top of that pop times do not indicate the true ability to throw base stealers out--being a good catcher is more than just a pop time number

There is so much more to catching than pop times that I often find it funny how they are the only statistic you ever hear. How well you block a ball, set up a target, catch the unexpected pitch, how good are your hands, how fast can you run, can you hit, do you have a good attitude, are you a team leader, do the pitchers like throwing to you.......

It's important to remember that a pop time is just one facet of a catchers' make up. It is probably no different than a center fielder only talking about his time in the 60. Although that is quite important, there is so much more that goes into a ballplayers make up. When you talk to a potential coach it is important to present the entire picture of what you are and what you bring to the table. He may like you and sign you and then say "son go on out and play left field". You never know.

Please remember that a complete game is necessary and what the particular needs of a program are.
The factor lost in successfully throwing out runners is the time it takes for a pitcher to get the ball to the catcher. As a former pro ball manager, if a pitcher was 1.4 or slower to the plate, it didnt matter what the catcher pop time was....i was off to the races

What if your pop time is 1.8 but the ball goes 9 feet left of the second baseman into center field?

Hmmm. The ball gets to the CF faster so that the runner can't advance to third?