Interested in how some relay signs to the pitcher from catcher when there is a runner on second base. We have a team that has been giving the hitter the pitch from second base.
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Here's a couple suggestions:
1. Pumps. Pitcher ignores what fingers are down. He just counts the pumps (3-1-2 = 3 pumps (slider?). If a pitcher has 3 pitches, 1 and 4 pumps equal a fastball.
2. First sign after 2. 1-2-1-3 = Fastball; 2-2-3-1 = curveball.
Having the catcher call for a curveball and have the pitcher throw an inside fastball is very effective as well. It erodes the trust batters have in the runner.
Good luck!
BaseballByTheYard
1. Pumps. Pitcher ignores what fingers are down. He just counts the pumps (3-1-2 = 3 pumps (slider?). If a pitcher has 3 pitches, 1 and 4 pumps equal a fastball.
2. First sign after 2. 1-2-1-3 = Fastball; 2-2-3-1 = curveball.
Having the catcher call for a curveball and have the pitcher throw an inside fastball is very effective as well. It erodes the trust batters have in the runner.
Good luck!
BaseballByTheYard
I have a system we use at my high school. We use a QB wrist band for the coach and catcher. I have a few already made, or you can input your own signs. Email me for the spreadsheet. mdjst5 at gmail
For an example of the catching wristband you can download one from my website for free. Get it at the Catching-101 Downloads Page
I've also got an entire chapter dedicated to this in my new book. The website should be live later today: http://www.Catching-101Book.com
I've also got an entire chapter dedicated to this in my new book. The website should be live later today: http://www.Catching-101Book.com
Coach Dave,
There are so many ways to disguise signs, but many of them can be hard for some of the younger catchers and pitchers to implement. What age group are you working with? If you are talking about high school guys, you can get fairly creative.
The simplest and easiest to implement is the one mentioned by meachrm. First sign after the indicator. Pick a number for the indicator and the next sign is the pitch call. You can take that a step further and have the catcher's use one indicator for even innings and a second indicator for odd innings (both the catcher and pitcher will need to have worked on this in practice, otherwise you risk a few cross-ups, which IMHO are worse than tipped pitches). That way, no team will be able to maintain a consistent read on the signs coming from the catcher.
Ultimately it does come down to one simple fact. Are the hitters your team is facing good enough to do anything with the information? If you believe those hitters are using the information to their benefit, start giving your pitchers and catchers time in practice to run through a pitch-calling scenario and get the system in place before they run into the issue in a game again.
There are so many ways to disguise signs, but many of them can be hard for some of the younger catchers and pitchers to implement. What age group are you working with? If you are talking about high school guys, you can get fairly creative.
The simplest and easiest to implement is the one mentioned by meachrm. First sign after the indicator. Pick a number for the indicator and the next sign is the pitch call. You can take that a step further and have the catcher's use one indicator for even innings and a second indicator for odd innings (both the catcher and pitcher will need to have worked on this in practice, otherwise you risk a few cross-ups, which IMHO are worse than tipped pitches). That way, no team will be able to maintain a consistent read on the signs coming from the catcher.
Ultimately it does come down to one simple fact. Are the hitters your team is facing good enough to do anything with the information? If you believe those hitters are using the information to their benefit, start giving your pitchers and catchers time in practice to run through a pitch-calling scenario and get the system in place before they run into the issue in a game again.
Update:
I have come out with some new software that generates these catching wristbands. Here is the tutorial video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrfdpWE83TQ
I have come out with some new software that generates these catching wristbands. Here is the tutorial video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrfdpWE83TQ
another thing you might try that is simple is use glove signals. still give sets of signals which mean nothing, and read the glove. if it's held normally to shield the 3dr base coach it's fastball, if you hold the back of the glove toward the pitcher, breaking pitch, ect.
if you're still having trouble put on a pick off play and drill the guy at 2nd a couple times.
if you're still having trouble put on a pick off play and drill the guy at 2nd a couple times.
have the catcher give the sign when the runner isn't looking - i know this sounds overly simple, but it's pretty effective - have the ss/2nd baseman move toward the base clapping his glove if you need a distraction.
quote:Originally posted by LakeSide:
have the catcher give the sign when the runner isn't looking - i know this sounds overly simple, but it's pretty effective - have the ss/2nd baseman move toward the base clapping his glove if you need a distraction.
Any baserunner that looks back at the bag (especially while the MIF's are deke'ing hi) needs to be picked off.
Coach Dave coach's Little League'rs
Well, if its little league I'd have a talk with the opposing coach first and tell him if they keep picking signs the game will get a lot longer because you'll need to go to multiple signs etc...on each pitch.
For LL I would just go the glove indicator but make sure the catcher flashes a couple of signals as previously described so its not to obvious. i.e. glove resting outside of knee (3rd base side) fastball), glove resting on knee curve, glove resting inside of knee changeup. I can be very subtle or obvious.
For LL I would just go the glove indicator but make sure the catcher flashes a couple of signals as previously described so its not to obvious. i.e. glove resting outside of knee (3rd base side) fastball), glove resting on knee curve, glove resting inside of knee changeup. I can be very subtle or obvious.
