NH's best.....Catchers

Some of our guys were:

Fisher from Londonderry who is actually a very talented pitcher as well. Myself a former catcher would rather have him behind the plate because I truly appreciate his ability. Today it is tough to find such a fundamentally sound catcher who a. calls a good game and b. controls a game like Fish does.

Treff from Salem is also a very talented backstop he is very solid defensively however needs to improve his bat.

Poission from Spaulding is another strong defensive catcher, rumors are that he will be playing 2b or ss this spring.

We also had Glover from Hollis-Brookline, its my understanding that he is the back up at HB, this kid is very good, I'd love to see the guy starting over him because he has to be a stud, not sure what his name is but what a problem to have two talented catchers.

Is that kid from Keene back? I can't remember his name but I liked him last spring.

I also like Nick Nalette from Trinity in addition to those mentioned above.

Macyn Clifford is the starting catcher at HB and in my eyes is the best catcher in class I.

Kyle Gaffney from St. Thomas is solid too. Must be some decent catchers in Nashua.

Love Kyle Gaffney as a person and he was a strong armed catcher a few years ago (played AAU with my son).

I don't know what's happend but he has developed a hiitch before he throws to second. Puts himself at a huge disadvantage trying to throw runners out.

The funny thing is with a quick, fluid delivery he has a rocket, saw him throw out two runners in an inning a few years back.

Great, Great Kid

Alex Jacobs at Kennett is going to surpirse a few teams this year, above average arm with a strong bat.

Brody Horning from Somersworth, started as a sophmore last year. Improved alot handling pitchers. Switch hitter batted .297, with a .550 OBP
has a strong accurate arm. he is 6'2' and 210 pounds. High IQ but needs to hit more for power.

I think Campbell High School has a couple of up and coming catchers. Cody Caron will be a freshman there and rumor is he is competing with a Sophomore catcher, Chuck Neild, for the starting job. They are both young, but they can play.

I wouldn't be surprised if you are right about Clifford. I will have to see him this fall. I enjoy watching skilled catchers.

Coach Curt how is Parma? We'd like to get Horning out to a tryout next summer but will make it a point to see him this spring.

A couple young guys to keep an eye on for catchers coming up are Bobby Dow and Nick Gray.

on a longer time line keep an eye out for Keagan Smith from Londonderry, most likely won't see much time this spring with Geoff Fisher around but if Keagan listens to Geoff in addition to his ability you may be looking at a very talented backstop.

I remember Keagan from Londonderry's Middle School team. (Ya Shipbuilder...I'm bringing up the middle school stuff again) He was a very solid backstop and a tough out too.

If we are talking in-coming freshman then Matt Fortin at Nashua North has to be a part of the equation. He broke an ankle playing hockey last winter so he was limited in his time behind the plate last year but overall he is an excellent catcher. He has a very accurate and very strong arm, Quick feet and blocks the ball very well. Pitchers love to pitch to him bacause they trust him to stop everything back there. He is a very good hitter as well. Teams usually won't run much on him. Playing at a school as big as North it can be tough for a freshman to make a splash but I have a feeling that he will be pushing for that Varsity spot this spring.

Treff from Salem is as good as anyone in the state behind the dish, he has also been working like a maniac on his swing and showed good results this fall. Macquarrie from BG is only a soph but he will push for that starting pos.

Kid Gaffney has been a player since he was 14...could just tell he was going to be one of the better ones

Shipbuilder2 where are Bobby Dow and Nick Gray from?

Dow is from the Seacoast I believe, he plays for the Mavericks and Nick Gray is from Hampton but attends Phillips Exeter and plays for Exeter Legion.

Dow tried out for the Showcase League as a sophomore, the kid has a rocket for an arm.

I think I've seen the Dow kid play for the Mavericks. I'm pretty sure he's from Farmington, he and that Funk kid are both from there.

Hopkinton has a kid to watch behind the plate, Sam McManus. He was first team all-state in Class M hitting over .400 playing behind the plate, ss, and third base. He has a gun for an arm and is not afraid to catch that "sleeping runner" on first. He even pitched a few innings! All around solid ball player.

I have heard a lot of great things about Sam McManus, Hopkinton has a great core of Sophomores going into this spring. Bonafont, McCormack and McManus, these guys are going to be something very special over the next few years, personally I would like to see these guys at Showcase League tryouts next summer.

Obvious bias here: but I don't think it is a stretch to say that Geoff Fisher will be the top L catcher this upcoming season. His pop time was 1.9, knows the game in and out, and has the grit that makes good catchers great ones. I know some would point to Mathieu from Pinkerton, but he has some holes in his catching game- excellent hitter though!

I've seen Mathieu from Pinkerton, I don't think anyone would compare Fisher to Mathieu defensively. Fisher is a STUD. You have my support in this point of view.

quote:

Originally posted by coachC:
Macyn Clifford is the starting catcher at HB and in my eyes is the best catcher in class I.

I have never heard of Macyn, what's his story a football player? Does he play Legion?

What about the kid from Coe-Brown Academy, Clay Pike?

I want to nominate my son because he is the best player ever

Nice sarcasim "BackstopMA". Geoff is my catcher on my team- I am the head coach not his father.
You shouldn't mock people for having pride in their players/sons, very petty.

did i say anything about you or that player, no i didnt. Did I post earlier saying I knew of a good player-yes.

Besides, a little sarcasm never hurts...

Just seemed like you had some sort of issue. Glad to hear that is not the case. Geoff really is one of the top catchers in New Hampshire.

the only issue i might have is bad mouthing a player:

"I know some would point to Mathieu from Pinkerton, but he has some holes in his catching game"

would that go under sarcasm or pettiness?

quote:

Originally posted by BackStopMA:
the only issue i might have is bad mouthing a player:

"I know some would point to Mathieu from Pinkerton, but he has some holes in his catching game"

would that go under sarcasm or pettiness?

Now your just being petty about being criticized for being petty.

actually, got criticized for being sarcastic.

BackstopMA, how old are you? It says in your profile that you are an "Instructor/Coach". Did some kid steal your log on name and make all those lame posts?

quote:

Originally posted by cathi66:
What about the kid from Coe-Brown Academy, Clay Pike?

I haven't heard of Clay Pike, but I'd like to anyone else know about him? What grade is he in? We are always in need of quality catchers for the Showcase League. This is typically a need by the majority of the college coaches we deal with.

quote:

Originally posted by BackStopMA:
the only issue i might have is bad mouthing a player:

"I know some would point to Mathieu from Pinkerton, but he has some holes in his catching game"

would that go under sarcasm or pettiness?

I have known Mathieu for a few years now, this quote is not sarcasm or pettiness, Zach is a tremendous hitter however his catching skills do not match Fishers, personally I see a kid Zach's size at First Base or in the Outfield, I find it very unlikely that he will be behind the plate in college. I know that the Derry Legion coach posts on this site who is also one of our Showcase League coaches and has had the privillage of coaching both Fish and Zach, I am confident that if asked Coach Mullin will say Fish is better behind the plate and Mathieu is better at the plate, both are very talented ball players who will be playing past high school.

quote:

Originally posted by Granite State Baseball Association:

quote:

Originally posted by cathi66:
What about the kid from Coe-Brown Academy, Clay Pike?

I haven't heard of Clay Pike, but I'd like to anyone else know about him? What grade is he in? We are always in need of quality catchers for the Showcase League. This is typically a need by the majority of the college coaches we deal with.

Mike,

I saw Clay Pike play in fall ball at the JV level for Coe Brown, while I was umpiring 2 years ago. He was a solid catcher then as a freshman. I heard he started Varsity as a Sophmore, but have not seen him play lately. In my opinion, he looked more like a corner infielder, if he was going on to the next level. Nice stick, the kid can rake.

Coach Curt thanks I am going to follow up with him.

A little info on Clay Pike, he is a Junior this year at Coe-Brown Academy and he started Varsity his freshman year. He can play any position well but seems to be best behind the plate. This past season he hit almost 300 and had 1 error all year. He was the starting catcher and did pitch some.

redsox8191-
Thank you for starting this thread! As a professional catching instructor, I can assure that the catchers never get as much credit from the general population as they should. I preach this all the time with parents and coaches. Most good pitchers have a GREAT catcher supporting them through their games. Coach Weaver and I were just talking about this last week! Thanks again for giving the hard working catchers the attention they deserve!

Coach Fletcher