Transition to Big Field

Hi DD, great question.

I'm not expert but I am a mom of a catcher who is now headed to college. There are lots of things which contribute to good throws, and one of them is definitely arm strength. Overall strength (including legs and core) is also important. However, you can't overlook mechanics. It doesn't matter how hard you throw it, if mechanics are bad or your accuracy is off, you won't through out runners. You are at a great age to have someone look at your mechanics if you haven't yet, and get some pointers.

I would also say this. Don't get discouraged. Getting better can be a rollercoaster, and sometimes you have to take a step back to go forward, especially as you are adjusting your mechanics. You may make great throws but the ball will bounce before getting to second. This is not unusual. Just keep after it. As you get older/bigger/stronger/better, the pieces will come together.

Good luck!

It goes without saying that a catcher has to worry about his footwork, arm strength, pop times and such, but the one thing that will separate a catcher a coach want behind the plate and one that will be relegated to catching pens, is gonna be his ability to keep balls from getting past him when there are runners on base. In a typical HSV game, each team’s pitchers will throw from 10-20 balls in the dirt, and an untold number of pitches that are just to wide or high to be caught. It won’t matter how good your arm or pop time is if you don’t block the balls like that.

Ty to be a complete package rather than just an arm with great pop times.

The things others have said here are true.  I would say go ahead and start practicing on the big field.  For one thing, 2 weeks is not going to be enough to get acclimated to the longer throw.  While working on the big field, try not to put too much of an arc on the throw.  Just work on throwing chest high, maybe head high in relation to the 46/60 field.  That way you won't mess up your mechanics for the rest of this season.  Make your throws to the "new" second base on a line.  If you have to one or two hop them for now, that's fine.  When you do get to the big field, you don't want to be throwing "loopers" down to 2nd anyway.  Work on strengthening your arm by making line drive throws even if they don't reach at first.  Eventually, you will find yourself making the throw on a line all the way there.

Good luck to you in the upcoming season!!

My son is being converted to catcher by the HS coach because of his accuracy and throwing velocity.  The velocity comes from your footwork and throwing with your legs and core. 

Also check out catchingcamp.com. There's a lot of good information on catching. While you probably won't go to one of their camps maybe your parents could buy the CD.