Catcher's throw to 1st

Same as in all throws, which is my opinion and disgreed with by many.

Right foot never leaves the ground. Turn and throw.

Very easily accomplished on a pitch to catchers right. can be done with great quickness on this pitch.

I would observe the runner, warn my firstbaseman that I may throw. He should already know that the pitch I receive (to might right) will determine when I throw.

Coach - can you clarify - do you mean throwing behind a runner who has a lead, or making a play on a bunt or dropped third strike?

Throwing behind a runner that has a lead. I'd like to use it in bunt situations on a pitch out or a missed bunt attempt, along with times when the runner has a huge secondary lead.

The throw to first is normally a “snap” throw and the footwork is just throwing off the back foot or commonly called, load and throw, as teacherman states. Many coaches will instruct the catcher to only throw to first base when the pitch is in a location that “pulls” the catcher to the right and his momentum takes him into a throwing position that makes a throw to first base more “natural”. If a catcher has to jump and pivot, valuable time is lost and makes the throw more difficult.

We use this play when we feel the bunt is on and the runner will be trying to lengthen his secondary lead or when a runner is getting a big secondary lead and not busting back. We call for a fastball outside off the plate and just like Teacherman stated we leave the foot planted and rotate the shoulders to the target and throw. By the way in our first game this year my son picked off the runner for the final out at first on this play. Works at third on runners that are either lazy getting back or getting too much lead. Just reverse it to inside off the plate but you can still get them by going outside and throwing in front of the rh batter or inside and throwing behind the rh batter.

Coach

Were you a catcher? In case you weren't.............no throw is easier when the pitch comes to the glove side

Glove side means you have to bring the ball to the throwing side before release.

I would rather a pitch come directly toward my throwing shoulder (right shoulder) no matter where I'm throwing.

The only gotcha to an outside pitch is when the runner at first is stealing, the catcher ends up with an arm breaker trying to recover from the momentum taking him out and away from 2ND. When I caught I preferred the ball to hit me in the middle and to my throwing side a little, way out side and my throw wouldn't have as much on it. Arm-breaker.

Good point although I'd expand from "right throwing side a little" (which would be maybe the outside corner of the plate) to maybe a gloves width outside.

The benefit of that is the good shoulder turn it forces AND the pulling back of the glove side when you throw. You get a little extra load.

That being said, I don't mind the far outside pitch (to the catchers right) if I'm throwing to first. Just seems to give momentum, gets the shoulders turned and allows a good snap.

I guess how you define far is important.

Teacherman let me explain. When we go inside on the pick play at third the catcher sets off inside and recieves on the right side not the left. Too far either way is no good. For instance a lh batter runner getting too much at third. We dont want to throw off inside away from the throw. Set up outside but recieve it on the throwing side. You might not agree thats ok. Key is the catcher setting up off the plate and the pitcher hitting his spot. And the catcher making sure that he receives it properly so he can make a good throw. Yes on the throwing side of his body the right side.

gotcha

A little to the throwing side, just inside the ball joint of the throwing shoulder. At a minimum staying to the trowing side of the breast bone.

I don't mind the way out-side pitch when throwing behind a runner at first, it is just hard on the catchers arm when he has to throw to 2.

Pitcher hitting his spots is very important in helping the catcher. I am always amazed at how many people blame catchers for allowing stolen bases. The pitcher has the majority of the load, I guess this comes from LL not leading off and can't leave the base till it crosses the plate. LL only does this after the kids hit 13.

Very good points Coach, a Catcher needs to setup properly to receive the ball, pitcher needs to hit his spots. It is a partnership, one guy slacks of and the odds of getting a runner goes way down and then everyone starts to run on you till it is fixed.