Showcase Catcher Velo

It depends. Last weekend’s PBR event at Lakepoint had the gunner standing at 2nd (off to the side, actually). At a Showball event last month, I’m 90% they were behind the dish (which seems a bit more accurate, anecdotally speaking).

Behind the dish makes sense and would give a better reading than behind the bag at an angle.

What about the location of the throw? What side of the bag? Who is catching the ball? 2b or SS? The test make “one handed” program type catchers. It begin with our Area Code tryouts and it does produce a quality catcher.

Bob

@Consultant posted:

What about the location of the throw? What side of the bag? Who is catching the ball? 2b or SS? The test make “one handed” program type catchers. It begin with our Area Code tryouts and it does produce a quality catcher.

Bob

Amen. I can’t tell you how many showcases I have been to (scouting) that catchers throw downs to 2B have been a joke. All the emphasis is on pop times - which don’t mean Sh$t if the throw isn’t accurate,  Catchers are standing up when the pitch is halfway there trying to record a pop time. It means nothing if it isn’t an accurate throw. Kids need to stop chasing numbers and learn how to play the game .

Showcase moves aren't the same as in game moves. Catchers are already standing up and in the batter's box before the ball is at the plate at a Showcase. IF'ers take about 5 steps and launch the ball as hard as the can to 1B. Exit velos are all done with lowish line drives.

   It blows my mind that they pay so much attention to a 60 yd time rather than a H to 1B, or H to 2nd.

I saw one this summer where they made the kid do it over three times because he was catching the ball in front of the plate.

Do college coaches pay more attention to the actual mechanics than the number? If they see a kid with a 1.85 are they going to say “dayum!” or will they say “yeah but that was BS”?

Son just does his normal secondary at showcases. I record every game so he can get in-game pops with runners and clock those using Coach’s Eye. He just tried to keep his exchange below a .7 as much as possible and lets the rest fall where it may  

I don’t think any coach who thinks that a 14yo can really have a faster pop than Realmuto or Hedges is one I’d like my son to play for. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Same here Senna. I started using Huddle Technique instead of Coach's Eye though. It takes up less memory and I can share the videos with his various coaches.

To specifically answer your question, both PBR and PG have the gun between the pitchers mound and second base (off center a few feet).

Beg to differ, Hampshire, but not always. Gunner at PBR event 2 weeks ago is in a dark shirt standing behind the catcher at 2B.

May not be the norm, but it’s where he was. Same for June event at PBR if I remember correctly.

Looked back at all of my sons PBR showcases in MN and every single video shot of his pop was shot BEHIND a screen BEHIND 2nd base.

My son had done a couple of PBR Northeast Showcases and PG Showcases, including Jr. Nationals.  Just goes to show, it depends on the event / location etc.  My son prepared based upon the information we gathered from HSBW, YouTube, friends, etc.  Catcher POP, Catcher Velo, BP, Exit Velo, etc.  Like you we felt the more information the better. 

During my 17 years with the Area Code games and Goodwill International Series, I observed 500 HS catchers.

The "superior" catchers had several common skills.

They were relaxed and played "loose", with soft hands, quick feet and observation of the entire field.

Bob

@Senna posted:

Beg to differ, Hampshire, but not always. Gunner at PBR event 2 weeks ago is in a dark shirt standing behind the catcher at 2B.

May not be the norm, but it’s where he was. Same for June event at PBR if I remember correctly.

I think that’s the first time I’ve seen the pitch come from that side of the mound.