Frustrated

A little praise does wonders. I too have a freshman catcher who is battered and bruised. He has caught all five games so for and thrown out 3 of 5 steal attempts. After the last game, in the outfield meeting, the coach told the players they were lucky to have a catcher they could depend on. Before that the coaches seemed to be on him pretty hard. I think that alot of times coaches get on kids with some ability to try to get them up to another level, and they expect catchers to be tough mentally and physically. But the praise gave my son a nice mental boost.

freshmandad,
Been there done that! I’m sure this will sound harsh but let’s see what we can do to make the situation better. As strange as this seems I don’t think this is about your son and his ability to block balls in the dirt or his ability to throw out runners. This is about coaching styles and how players need to adjust to a variety of coaching styles if they hope to be the best they can be. We parent don’t like for our sons to be criticized and most coaches are critical in one way or another of THEIR player’s performances (at times) so our sons and we parents find ourselves ---- “frustrated”. We try to defend our son’s actions proving they should not be criticized. I suggest we bite our tongue. I’m in no way defending the action of the coach or putting the blame on you or your son but we have to make the best of where we are. As a parent we can help or hurt our son’s performance by how we handle these situations. If you allow yourself to become frustrated, then you are also encouraging your son to become frustrated (not good). You want your son to work through this, stay positive, and to improve his skills. Explain to your son that the coach wants to win ball games and in order to do so he has to correct mistakes. The methods he uses to correct his team’s mistakes may not be to your liking but you cannot change his style. I suggest you try to help your son to “adjust”. Coaches have a style and they are difficult impossible to modify.
Fungo

Fungo, I agree with everything you are saying. Still trying to adjust to the high school way of doing things. I never realized, until son became a full time catcher, how under appreciated, and important the position is. My standard response when he brings any of this up is to ask him if he played the best he can and gave every bit of effort he could. If he has I simply tell him to be proud of how he played and move on. I am sure he will continue to get beat up, go back to the dug out get a drink and trot out for more. I am not even considering saying anything to the coach, just venting a little bit.

Often times we get bent out of shape based upon what people/coaches say and assume they are against us or our kid. I am found of telling my kids that actions are more important then words.

In the case of your son if the coach didn't really appreciate his efforts and skill your son wouldn't be playing.

Excellent comments by Fungo & CollegeDad, as usual their comments are right on the mark. I went thru some of the same things last year that you speak of FreshmanDad. My son caught all but three innings his freshman year & the coaches were always "encouraging" him to become quicker with his throws, he called it riding him, I called it encouraging him. It has paid off tremendously!! He has worked hard at this & now other teams are reluctant to run the bases. If the coaches continue to ride "encourage" your son, don't be surprised if this becomes one of his strongest assets!!

Let him know my son would be glad to have him. He can't throw his curve as much because the catcher can't catch it. The catcher also complains when the curve is in the dirt (kids are swinging at it). He wants it in the strike zone so he doesn't have to block it.

Quote: Bob Gibson to Tim Mccarver when he went to visit the mound " The only thing you know about pitching is it's hard to hit"

freshmandad, I am a senior catcher just now getting any sort of chance of playing varsity baseball.. I'm not great but I'm not horrible if you know what I'm saying..

Anyway, coaches will ride your son A LOT. He is THE leader on the field no matter age, experience, etc. He is THE leader between the white lines. With that fact, he also has more responsibilities. I have quite a bit of experience in being expected to do more than what would normally be expected-- my dad coached baseball for quite awhile and so I've been around the game forever. To make a point-- yesterday our pitcher in the dugout was asking about bunt coverages and what he was doing on a certain one. Coach flat out told him, "with Hop back there, do what he tells you. He's known these plays since he was in 3rd grade. If he tells you to pitch out, pitch out no matter where he's throwing the ball."

Some of the greatest compliments your son will get will NOT be from you, the coach, or the fans. The opposing coach will see it and will compliment him. And his teammates will see a good job and compliment him. I am a 3-sport varsity athlete, but I'm not a "stud" in any of them. But I was voted by the team to win the "hustle" award for basketball not because I was THE factor in a win or loss, but because I left it on the court night in and night out no matter what. For them to notice that really, in my opinion means, a lot to me and it shows that teammates notice. Another example- the other night our #1 pitcher pitched a great game. Everything was working and he threw a shut out. Quote from the paper-- Koeningstein credited his effectiveness with a good game called by Bulldog catcher Mike Hoppr. "I was locating my fastball pretty good. We switched pitches quite often. Hopper did a good job of calling the game," Koeningstein said. Right there he could have very easily taken the credit for the outing, but he thought I did such a good job and made it known.

Alright, sorry to get off on a bit of a tangent, but I hope you understand my point. As a catcher, you can't expect to get a lot of credit. I prefer to avoid the spotlight and catching allows me to do that. If I have a good game, then I normally won't even be noticed. As a catcher, I think you want to fly under the radar.

Great post Bulldog19!

Freshmandad,

Since I run a school just for catchers I have the privilage of working with the must under-appreciated players on the field. No one has a tougher job on the field then the kid behind the plate and he is so often the forgotten one back there. I have heard or read your email from dozens of parents from all over the country.

I would tell your son this. Work on and be concerned with the things he can control, his performance on the field. Let go and don't be distracted by the things he cannot control, like his coaches lack of positive feedback.

Fungo is right, the coaches style will most likely not change.

We have all seen it my friend - block 25 fastballs, curves, etc in the dirt - you might get an understated nice block.....miss one and you get "COME ON, CONCENTRATE, YOUR KILLING ME".

New invention for catchers - sound proof helmets - we could make millions!

I coach the catchers. My 08 is a catcher. I expect everything to be blocked. Everything. Why? Because I want my catchers to expect to block everything. It is a posistion where you have to be a bulldog (19)lol. Believe me a coach appreciates the effort and sacrifice that a good catcher must make in order to help his team win. The pitchers better appreciate it I can tell you that. No one works any harder or as hard as the catcher does in practice or in a game. Those bumps and bruises are a badge of honor. They are a tremendous source of pride. Just play the game and do your job and never expect a pat on the back. If you get one great. Good luck.

Latest Update - Since my original post, the varsity Asst coach and catching coach has kind of taken my son under his wing - says he sees alot of potential. Thats all the boy needed to hear. It been funny, the last couple of games I think my son finally "got it" and is understanding what being the catcher is all about. In his last two games he is 5 for 8 at the plate and has thrown out 4 of 7 guys trying to steal. The coolest thing, after the last game, where he threw out 3 of 4, the catching coach said, "I noticed they quit running after the second inning, guess they got tired of getting guys on base and having them gunned down"

Its been a learning experiance for both of us.

FMdad - my son now gets frustrated because no one tries to steal on him.

Now take your son to the next level - team leader - he has to learn this by trial and error - there is no one right way to do it because all kids are different and pitchers are strange people.

Some pitchers love to have the ball snapped back at then after a pitch, some are more relaxed. Strike 3, whip the ball to 3rd (of course no one on). 1st inning go to the mound and calm the pitcher down when he has thrown 3 balls in the dirt.

True story: my son was catching a good friend of his who was looking for a starting role was pitching - the kid was just pushing and pushing in the 1st.

My son called time and went to the mound and all he said was "whats up". I could see the pitcher break into a grin and later found out that his reply was "thats the best advice you got", my son replied yep.

The pitcher ended the game with a shutout, 10 SO and only 2 hits - did the mound visit make a difference - I think it did but who knows.

Wow, what a timely topic! My son is only 11, but he has gone through a similar experience this year. His team is a highly competitive 11:U travel ball team and he is new to the team this season. The last couple of tournaments he he has not let a ball get past him and blocked so many balls in the dirt I lost count (not that I was really counting). I do know on 4 occassion in one game he blocked a ball in the dirt with a runner on third. I thought they should have carried my son off the field on their shoulders after each inning, but all he got was a silence or a critical comment about a mistake he made. My son was not bothered by it at all, but I was (I guess he is more mature than I am). But like Fungo, Collegeparent, Catching Coach, Bulldog and others have pointed out, I just bit my lip and let it go. Last week my son had another great tournament catching and after one game was complimented by the other teams coaches and parents. In another game, the umpire said he was going to be a great h.s. catcher! Again, while he was appreciative of the compliments it didn't really faze him one way or another...but I was tickled pink!

The moral of the story is...it appears my son is doing well but I'm learning everyday! Or as one of my old boss' use to say to me "10 'atta boys' can be wiped out by 1 'aw sh*t'"!

Now for some real help...

Tell your son to never move his right foot. Keep it planted...create separation in his body for throwing before he catches the ball...his release will quicken.

quote:

Originally posted by Chameleon:
Now for some real help...

Tell your son to never move his right foot. Keep it planted...create separation in his body for throwing before he catches the ball...his release will quicken.

Not sure if I agree with that Chameleon. I find the catcher has a tendency to throw high and with reduced velocity than if he does the jump turn (or whatever others call it).

I agree it is quicker but the mechanics of it break down on the rest of the throw.

Just my opinion.

Hmmmm, that sounds familiar chameleon. I think your name is very appropriate.

Could we maybe see a video clip of this technique?

YouTube?? shep

Any catcher that can throw out a runner when the pitcher throws a 2.0 to the plate is amazing.

Need an agent? You're signed!!!! Nice clip!!!!

Now that is one extremely athletic old guy.

Scouting Report…
chameleon
Big body, wide hips, broad shoulders, could tone up a bit
Athletic actions, good hands, strong arm, good body control
slow feet, heavy legs
Can’t run
Best tool is the bat, knows how to hit.
Looks older than most prospects
Not much projection.
Need to see medical records.
Extremely coachable maybe
Excellent pool player
Makes a mean pizza
Just needs a chance
Very signable in the first three rounds
Great attitude
Championship caliber make up
Sky is the limit potential
Has set many records on HSBBW

PG head office would like to have a meeting with you ASAP. You can bring your eye doctor with you.

"Has set many records on HSBBW"

True, true!

You have got to be kidding me. Is this Chameleon guy for real? He just put himself on the world wide web looking stupid.

Geez, I thought you were talking about me there Jerry, you just about described me to the hilt!

Except, I suck at pool, and I usually Buy a mean pizza, I can't make'em for cr^p.

Chameleon, that takes, what we down here in TX call, "cajones"! Big br^ss ones at that! Props to you.

BTW, is that a popsicle/ice cream machine behind you to the left?!?! That would be totally sweet if it was!