Just wondering what is considered a good pop time for a high school catcher looking to play in college. My son(2015) attended a PBR showcase in Illinois and had a pop time of 1.95.With another year to get stronger I was wondering if he was on track or if there was work to do ?? Any imput would be welcomed.
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Yes, to both. He is on track, and there is work to do. There is always work to do.
An accurately thrown 1.95 pop time in game is very good.
Thanks JH
Vikingboy anything sub 2 "in a game" is really good. There is always work to do.
Is he a "one hand" catcher? What type of mitt does he use?
Can he block the low pitches or are you focus on "pop time" vs
blocking. Does he play catch with two hands and catching the ball on the heal of his mitt.
This teaches quick and smooth transfer to throwing hand.
Bob
FYI:
Fastest recorded (non-game) POP at PG National last week was: 1.76, Slowest was 2.02...
Consultant, sorry for the delay in response,was at a tourney.My son catches 1 handed and is pretty good at blocking low pitches.
We have traveled each year to Australia with our American teams ages 14-18 and the pro scouts several who are former catchers all agreed that catching one-handed will eventually limit the career of a catcher.
When I started the Area Code games, the "pop time" was introduced by the pro scouts during the tryouts. Personally, I do not favor this method of evaluating catchers.
Maybe it is the method of reducing the #'s for the specific tryout. In our area we have one of the best catching instructors in Pro baseball. He and I have discuss this method of catching evaluation. One handed teaches a lazy catcher.
Bob
Well crap,loool, I dont want him to become a lazy catcher.
We have traveled each year to Australia with our American teams ages 14-18 and the pro scouts several who are former catchers all agreed that catching one-handed will eventually limit the career of a catcher.
When I started the Area Code games, the "pop time" was introduced by the pro scouts during the tryouts. Personally, I do not favor this method of evaluating catchers.
Maybe it is the method of reducing the #'s for the specific tryout. In our area we have one of the best catching instructors in Pro baseball. He and I have discuss this method of catching evaluation. One handed teaches a lazy catcher.
Bob
Bob,
what is meant by "catching one-handed"? Is this when the catcher's throwing hand is behind his back?
NO, that is the "set up" position. One handed is when a catcher does not shift to catch two handed. Watch infield when the catcher receive throw from the infielders. If he catches like a 1b then he is not shifting or moving his feet.
This builds lazy habits = pass balls = runner to 3b.
There are 11 ways to score from 3b with less than 2 outs. If I am a coach and notice a catcher catching everything one-handed then on a curve ball count, I will steal.
Bob
