Good article from ESPN on the relationship between a pitcher and catcher.
Stu
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Awesome and so true, my pitchers best battery mate isn't even the best prospect in the organization (because he can't hit well).
When his best guy is catching, he is totally at ease.
When his best guy is catching, he is totally at ease.
I agree.
I know I had catchers in the past where I was on the same page with, and some when I was not. When I was't on the same page, it totally took my off my rhythm and was very frustrating.
Stu
I know I had catchers in the past where I was on the same page with, and some when I was not. When I was't on the same page, it totally took my off my rhythm and was very frustrating.
Stu
great article, thanks fo postin' my kid plays catcher and we talk about "his" pitchers all the time. and that's the additude we take, they're my pitchers just as u would say my wife,my friends,my mortgage payment,my little sister or my big brother.an attitude of ownership and confidence. half the game is 90% mental or whatever yogi says
Excellent article.
TPM, that begs the question, how many pitchers would develop faster in MILB if more defensive skilled catchers vs offensive skilled catchers were present? So many catchers are taken in the draft for their hitting prowess first(like all position players.)
However, take a look at the minor league catching hitting statistics - very few high averages. Could it be that the catchers are too busy learning proper receiving/game calling/pitcher management skills during their minor league learning curve and that is why only the very few become good hitters? Or is it because of the fatigue of the catching position? Or is it because catchers are not just good hitters anyway, that is why they are catchers? Or is it a combination of all three?
TPM, that begs the question, how many pitchers would develop faster in MILB if more defensive skilled catchers vs offensive skilled catchers were present? So many catchers are taken in the draft for their hitting prowess first(like all position players.)
However, take a look at the minor league catching hitting statistics - very few high averages. Could it be that the catchers are too busy learning proper receiving/game calling/pitcher management skills during their minor league learning curve and that is why only the very few become good hitters? Or is it because of the fatigue of the catching position? Or is it because catchers are not just good hitters anyway, that is why they are catchers? Or is it a combination of all three?
I think it is all realtive to the player. Some are great athletes, hands down. Some have a better glove, some have a better bat. IMO, the common thread is the catcher is the most important position player, with the least amount of coaching time invested.quote:Originally posted by Backstop-17:... that begs the question, how many pitchers would develop faster in MILB if more defensive skilled catchers vs offensive skilled catchers were present?
However, take a look at the minor league catching hitting statistics - very few high averages. Could it be that the catchers are too busy learning proper receiving/game calling/pitcher management skills during their minor league learning curve and that is why only the very few become good hitters? Or is it because of the fatigue of the catching position? Or is it because catchers are not just good hitters anyway, that is why they are catchers? Or is it a combination of all three?
GED10DaD
quote:Originally posted by Backstop-17:
Excellent article.
TPM, that begs the question, how many pitchers would develop faster in MILB if more defensive skilled catchers vs offensive skilled catchers were present? So many catchers are taken in the draft for their hitting prowess first(like all position players.)
However, take a look at the minor league catching hitting statistics - very few high averages. Could it be that the catchers are too busy learning proper receiving/game calling/pitcher management skills during their minor league learning curve and that is why only the very few become good hitters? Or is it because of the fatigue of the catching position? Or is it because catchers are not just good hitters anyway, that is why they are catchers? Or is it a combination of all three?
That's why the Buster Posey's of the world are such a rare find.
Son threw to Yadi a few years back in spring training, he said he has yet to find a catcher who gave a more accurate target. But does that mean that he someday (if he makes it) will have that relationship with him that others do? I think that it becomes a very personal thing and most pitchers do prefer others over some and I think that it is very important for a catcher to have better skills at handling their pitching staff than a good bat.
I am a firm beleiver that the pitcher is only as good as his catcher.
quote:how many pitchers would develop faster in MILB if more defensive skilled catchers vs offensive skilled catchers were present? So many catchers are taken in the draft for their hitting prowess first(like all position players.)
Not sure what you imply has merit but if it does, I'm sure MLB considers that along with many other things when they draft catchers, pitchers, and all players.....
Fungo
quote:Could it be that the catchers are too busy learning proper receiving/game calling/pitcher management skills during their minor league learning curve
Yes.
quote:Or is it because of the fatigue of the catching position?
Yes.
quote:Or is it a combination
Yes.
quote:Or is it because catchers are not just good hitters anyway, that is why they are catchers?
No.
As the parent of a catcher I am happy when the position gets some "love". So many people have no idea how much of the success of the team depends on the pitcher/catcher relationship. The relationship between the p/c must be such that the pitcher feels like he can throw anything and the catcher will stop it. The catcher pretty much has to be able to read his pitchers mind. It's a thing of beauty when you can see the p/c working together to set the pace of the game and get the results they want.
Many times the catcher is the unsung hero when they win a game. The pitcher may look like the stud but if he didn't have a great catcher behind him he'd have a much tougher time throwing all his pitches.
Many times the catcher is the unsung hero when they win a game. The pitcher may look like the stud but if he didn't have a great catcher behind him he'd have a much tougher time throwing all his pitches.
I agree with CaBB. My son who was a starting varsity catcher for 3 years in H.S. was calling the pitches from 1/2 way through his Sophomore year. The staff "lived in the dirt" and he was not afraid to call the pitches there. We used to joke about how the #1 pitcher had a great 55ft curve ball the the hitters couldn't help from swinging at. The umpires always enjoyed working with him because of his blocking skills and his framing of the pitches.
Now because of a knee injury, he is on the mound at his J.C. but still keeps his catchers mentality when he pitches. Now his relationship with the umpires isn't as good as it use to be but he is working on it.
Still goes back to his H.S. to help his coach work with the catchers when he gets a chance.
Now because of a knee injury, he is on the mound at his J.C. but still keeps his catchers mentality when he pitches. Now his relationship with the umpires isn't as good as it use to be but he is working on it.
Still goes back to his H.S. to help his coach work with the catchers when he gets a chance.
As a father of a pitcher, and a former pitcher myself, I like to think I have a pretty good grasp of the importance of the relationship. I can still remember giving up three HR's in a row my sophomore year in college against my previous school, many years ago 
. My catcher also happened to my roommate, and was adament about controlling and calling the game his way. I was more comfortable calling the game my way, and we obviously weren't in sync this particular game. After giving up the hat trick, the fourth batter grounded out to short. Ironically, the player that grounded out thought for sure I'd put him to the ground...I didn't. He happened to be my former roommate my frosh year at that school...but that shouldn't have mattered, obviously that discussion belongs in another thread.
My son is a an upper 80's RHP. He has above average velocity for HS, but he doesn't wear out the radar guns. His FB naturally cuts, a poor man's Mariano Rivera, and catchers have a very hard time catching him at the beginning. It generally takes awhile for a new catcher to get accustomed to his movement and there are many dropped balls in the zone. He also throws a change, slider, and curveball. He is allowed to call his own game and does a decent job of it. When you have four pitches to call (not to mention locations), it's very important that the catcher and pitcher are on the same page. The pitcher wants to get the sign, pitch, and stay in a good rhythm. If he's in a good rhythm, so too is his defense...it's a win-win situation. That's why most colleges first priority is to recruit up the middle; they know the importance of good pitching, a good backstop, and the guys directly behind the pitcher.
. My catcher also happened to my roommate, and was adament about controlling and calling the game his way. I was more comfortable calling the game my way, and we obviously weren't in sync this particular game. After giving up the hat trick, the fourth batter grounded out to short. Ironically, the player that grounded out thought for sure I'd put him to the ground...I didn't. He happened to be my former roommate my frosh year at that school...but that shouldn't have mattered, obviously that discussion belongs in another thread.My son is a an upper 80's RHP. He has above average velocity for HS, but he doesn't wear out the radar guns. His FB naturally cuts, a poor man's Mariano Rivera, and catchers have a very hard time catching him at the beginning. It generally takes awhile for a new catcher to get accustomed to his movement and there are many dropped balls in the zone. He also throws a change, slider, and curveball. He is allowed to call his own game and does a decent job of it. When you have four pitches to call (not to mention locations), it's very important that the catcher and pitcher are on the same page. The pitcher wants to get the sign, pitch, and stay in a good rhythm. If he's in a good rhythm, so too is his defense...it's a win-win situation. That's why most colleges first priority is to recruit up the middle; they know the importance of good pitching, a good backstop, and the guys directly behind the pitcher.
Tooldforthis brings up a good point- catchers calling their own game. Son was coached in high school by 2 retired MLB pitchers that taught him well and let him call the games. He's been fortunate in college in that his coaches let him call the game for the most part. Really helps speed up the game.
My son has been lucky enough to call his own games for 2 years. In the fall he called for a knuckle ball - he loves to block. Coach got a big kick out of it, meaning the pitch worked.
At the end of the season, his high school coach commented that every time my son went to the mound, the next pitch was a strike. I thought it was a great that he had noticed. Unfortunately this doesn't show up at showcases!
Thanks for sharing the article. Great to see the acknowledgement.
At the end of the season, his high school coach commented that every time my son went to the mound, the next pitch was a strike. I thought it was a great that he had noticed. Unfortunately this doesn't show up at showcases!
Thanks for sharing the article. Great to see the acknowledgement.
quote:At the end of the season, his high school coach commented that every time my son went to the mound, the next pitch was a strike. I thought it was a great that he had noticed. Unfortunately this doesn't show up at showcases!
Agreed 2Tex. I had a very close relationship with the 2 starters on my teams last year, and when they were between the foullines they trusted me with their life. Its too bad these types of things don't show at showcases.
This year I am in line to take over the starting varsity job, and am also on a new summer team. I am a firm believer in the chemistry between pitchers and catchers, so I started getting to know the pitchers whom I will be catching this season. They have already become close with me and hopefully will help this season.
Coach can I throw to Jimmy?
Coach is there a chance I Jimmy can hit first in bp so I can throw my pen to him?
Coach is there anyway I can throw to Jimmy in the scimmage tomorrow?
The pitchers will let you know even if you don't know for sure.
You want to be that guy. You want to be the guy the pitchers want to throw to. The best thing a catcher can have going for him is the confidence in his pitching staff. Be that guy. And learn what it takes to be that guy.
Coach is there a chance I Jimmy can hit first in bp so I can throw my pen to him?
Coach is there anyway I can throw to Jimmy in the scimmage tomorrow?
The pitchers will let you know even if you don't know for sure.
You want to be that guy. You want to be the guy the pitchers want to throw to. The best thing a catcher can have going for him is the confidence in his pitching staff. Be that guy. And learn what it takes to be that guy.
The best scenario is that both the catcher and pitcher will be in sync with each other on pitch selection. That can keep the pace of the game up and be able to take advantage of both of their perspectives.
Stu
Stu