To carry over from the "blocking is the easy part" thread,I just thought Id offer some points and Im curious as to what other catchers have to say
Having played 3b,1b,OF,DH and now catcher(last 4 years Ive caught,the other positions on days I got off from catching)I must say this is the most undervalued position in all of baseball,and quite possibly in all of sports in my opinion.
For example,you set up low and inside for a fastball,and a pitcher misses 1ft outside and in the dirt.Often times you are given a passed ball because it deflected off of you,instead of staying in front.That brings me to blocking.You set up for curveball outside,and our pitcher missed low and in.You have to block it,even more so with men on base.With that block you stopped a potential runner in scoring position.
I think my personal favorite example is the long inning.Every team has them,the inning where your pitchers cant throw strikes,your fielders have made errors,yet the catcher still stays in his crouch and blocks everything,for that long extended inning.I believe thats another way many catchers are undervalued.
I think the reason I love catching is because the whole game essentially runs through me.I can have an impact on any play at any time.What are some ways you see the catcher is undervalued at?
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