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pitchers-n-catchers

rz1rz15,000+ posts
Yesterday I watched part of a camp my son was working and he brought up a point to the pitchers and catchers about pitcher/catcher relationships.

I got to thinking about his past years in baseball and came to the conclusion that while he always had good teammates, his catcher was an extension of himself. They might not have always been the best "buddies" but there was sign language, "eye talk", body language, a subconscious understanding, and trust between them at all times.

At the end of the session he said, "when all is said and done, it's very simple in that there are 2 cardinal rules that solidifies that trust.
1. Pitchers don't miss a catchers sign
2. Catchers don't get lazy and "wave" balls out of the zone when caught".

I got home and while reading I ran into a quote by Tim McCarver that drove that point across

quote:
When Steve (Carlton) and I die we're going to be buried 60 feet, 6 inches apart


Question: Does a catcher make a pitcher?
Last edited {1}
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B BobbleheadDoll5,000+ posts
They feed off each other. I have seen catchers who are calling the game adjust the pitcher who is struggling into a different game plan. A good pitcher who is calling pitches has to know the pitcher and his strengths. If his usual strength are not working he can adjust to lesser strengths until he finds what works.
As a catcher he also has to be able to have strengths that compliment the pitcher. Some catchers are great blockers and others are not. If you have a pitcher who throws a lot of balls that hit the dirt you need a strong blocker or it will be a long day.
RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
quote:
Originally posted by Lefty34:
My son LHP who is only a HS freshman has said on more than one occasion that a pitcher is only as good as his catcher.
At the high school and below level you'll see weak catchers killing pitchers by ....

1) not blocking pitches and giving up bases
2) make the pitcher not have confidence in throwing a two strike pitch in the dirt
3) pushing strikes out of the zone and called balls
4) missing pitches that were strikes and called balls because they weren't caught
5) blocking the umpire's view moving too soon on the high strike
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
My pitcher does much better when he feels he has a catcher behind the dish that takes control of the game. He doesn't have to be the best catcher, just one with lots of confidance and knows how to handle pitchers as individuals. He told me once the best catcher that he ever worked with was one that led the Beavers to Omaha, twice. Guess who? Don't think that Mitch Canham didn't play a huge role in helping to win two national titles.

No doubt a pitcher is only as good as his catcher, but the pitcher also needs to take personal responsibility.
Last edited by TPM
jerseydadjerseydad1,000+ posts
Sometimes you get lucky and see a battery catch lightning in a bottle. I was privileged enough to witness this when jerseyson was a quest player for one of the East Cobb teams. Jerseyson and this catcher had never worked together before. After the first inning you would have thought they had been teammates for years.

Long story short, it was almost like a symphony, the boys missed a perfect game by allowing only a swing bunt down the third base line. After the game when we were talking he said he knew the pitch even before the catcher flashed the sign, most importantly he said he had no fear because he knew wherever he put the ball the catcher was going to cover it. By the way the catchers name is Taylor Hightower and I believe he is going to Old Miss.
Last edited by jerseydad
Tx-HuskerTx-Husker1,000+ posts
My son tried catching in practices a few times when he was very young. He found out how hard it is. As such, he will get frustrated with catchers not performing...but you will never see it. And, you'll never hear him complain about a catcher. He understands the old saying about not complaining too loud about something unless you are willing to do it yourself!
Last edited by Tx-Husker
D dannymac_1810+ posts
There's no such thing as a good pitching staff if they're not throwing to a good catcher. Catcher is the most under appreciated and maybe the most important position on the field. I say that because a catcher controls the pitching staff. If he doesn't have the ability to do that it's gonna be a long season for the team no matter how many runs they score. Pitchers appreciate a good catcher whether it's verbalized or not. A good catcher holds his staff to a higher standard and the pitchers achieve it.
O Orlando1,000+ posts
As a catcher parent ---- yes, a good catcher can make a pitcher better just as a poor catcher can make a pitcher worse.

Question is....what's a good catcher?

If you throw a lot of stuff in the dirt, it's a guy who can block.

If you paint the edges, it's a guy who can stick it or turn it in.

If you tend to get freaked, it's the calm psychologist.

If you tend to struggle, it's the on-field coach.

If you let guys get on base....it's a guy with an arm.

If you don't let too many on, it's a guy with a big stick who can add to your run cushion. (and who just may not be able to do a number of the other things Wink)

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