I have a fifteen year old freshman that consistently throws a 2.18-2.20. Is this a good time?
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That is a good time for a HS catcher.
The throwing time fine. However, I must say im alittle concerned with you spending time with these kids and you call yourself Fruitcake 
I couldn't resist.
zg
I couldn't resist.
zg
This thread comes up alot. I have coached catchers for several years at the HS level. I have kept detailed records of my kids from Fresh year to graduation. Also I time all those we face in pregame and between innings as well as game throws. This means I have timed alot of kids over the years. I wipe out the throws that are not accurate. I could careless how quick a kid can get it down to second if its over the head of the infielder or way off line. What can a kid do consistently and accurately. We all know that game times are usually slower than non game times. Not always but most of the time. I went and looked up some of my records and this is what the avg for us came out to.
Freshman 2.4 Soph 2.3 Junior 2.2-2.15 Sr 2.15-2.0.
Now that does not mean that everyone we have had as a Sr behind the plate threw a 2.0. And it does not mean that everyone as a Freshman threw a 2.4. These are the averages for all the kids that I have coached in the last 8 years.
Last years records for teams we faced.
Sr- 2.3 Sr- 2.25 Jr- 2.2 Sr- 2.25 Soph- 2.3 Jr- 2.5 Jr- 2.2 Sr- 2.15 Jr- 2.3 Sr- 2.2 Jr- 2.4 Sr-2.3 Jr- 2.1 Soph 2.2. These are game times.
In all my years of HS coaching from my experience most kids are in the 2.3 2.2 range that is the avg HS catcher. Below avg guys are in the 2.35 and above area. The good ones are in the 2.2 to 2.1 area and the outstanding ones are consistent 2.1 to 2.0 area. You run across a kid now and then that is 2.0 and 1.9 maybe even 1.89 but they are few and far between. Just thought I would add my 2 cents here.
Freshman 2.4 Soph 2.3 Junior 2.2-2.15 Sr 2.15-2.0.
Now that does not mean that everyone we have had as a Sr behind the plate threw a 2.0. And it does not mean that everyone as a Freshman threw a 2.4. These are the averages for all the kids that I have coached in the last 8 years.
Last years records for teams we faced.
Sr- 2.3 Sr- 2.25 Jr- 2.2 Sr- 2.25 Soph- 2.3 Jr- 2.5 Jr- 2.2 Sr- 2.15 Jr- 2.3 Sr- 2.2 Jr- 2.4 Sr-2.3 Jr- 2.1 Soph 2.2. These are game times.
In all my years of HS coaching from my experience most kids are in the 2.3 2.2 range that is the avg HS catcher. Below avg guys are in the 2.35 and above area. The good ones are in the 2.2 to 2.1 area and the outstanding ones are consistent 2.1 to 2.0 area. You run across a kid now and then that is 2.0 and 1.9 maybe even 1.89 but they are few and far between. Just thought I would add my 2 cents here.
Coach May, As the father of a catcher, your post is the most realistic post on actual H.S. pop times that I have seen yet. I also believe that game times and accuracy are key. This fall I watched 2 catchers that consistently threw 2.0 or better pop times and will be playing DI next year. The problem is that they were rarely accurate. I have been told that college coaches would rather recruit the H.S. catcher with a cannon and teach him to throw accurately than the accurate catcher with a slightly weaker pop time.. What do you think is the maximum pop time a catcher can have in order to be considered DI. Is there a magic number or do coaches have different opinions on this issue.?
Programs differ on what they want behind the plate. Some programs like the traditional catcher big strong kid with solid frame. Others are looking for the more athletic kid rangy etc. There is no guarantee that a kid will ever develop the ability to be accurate on his throws. If a kid is already demonstrating that he can throw accurately that is a definite plus. Coaches do look for arm strength at this posistion and feel that it is alot easier to teach proper mechanics than develop arm strength. I would have to agree with that.