What are the qualities catcher's must try to attain in order to be considered a "good catcher" by coaches? I'm talking about from the beginning...let's say 12u and up until MLB, what are the coaches looking for? What are the defining thresholds, what's important?
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Just a few words that come to mind. Arm. Pop time. Command and confidance behind the plate. Smart, agressive. Does he make the rest of the team feel confidant. Does he command respect from the opposing team?
1. Has to love being a catcher.
2. Is a leader.
3. Is tough.
4. Works hard.
5. Good athlete.
6. Good/Excellent arm strength/throwing ability.
7. Excellent at blocking, framing, and defense overall.
8. Can hit (left handed hitting catchers are hard to find).
9. Decent wheels. Doesn't clog up the bases.
Probably missing something, but I have a catcher and he has been at it for a while. Done lots of reading and have started some showcasing, and this seems to be what they look for. Good Luck!
If he wasn't catching he'd be playing shortstop. Athletic, quick feet, great hands, strong arm, field general.
If he wasn't catching he'd be playing shortstop. Athletic, quick feet, great hands, strong arm, field general.
Agree on this, son was a SS his whole life until HS, he is now a catcher. Has been approached by college coaches at showcases asking him if he ever played SS.
"outstanding Catcher clinic:
Santa Rosa, California November 8-9. Ages 10-18 9 am to 2 PM each day.
Tim Cossins, Chicago Cubs Field Coordinator and former professional catcher
will provide instruction. Same as to the Cubs minor league catchers.
For additional information send your e-mail to.
I agree with Ohio Dad and mostly in that order. While arm and pop time are important, most of the coaches my son has played for have valued his ability to block a 2 strike curve ball in the dirt with a runner on base. From the time that my son began catching at age 9, pitchers on his team want him behind the plate and ask the coach for him to be in the lineup when they pitch. They trust him and love the amount of strikes he steals for them. The arm is the part most of the population "ooohhs and aaahhs" over, but don't discount receiving.
I agree with Ohio Dad and mostly in that order. While arm and pop time are important, most of the coaches my son has played for have valued his ability to block a 2 strike curve ball in the dirt with a runner on base. From the time that my son began catching at age 9, pitchers on his team want him behind the plate and ask the coach for him to be in the lineup when they pitch. They trust him and love the amount of strikes he steals for them. The arm is the part most of the population "ooohhs and aaahhs" over, but don't discount receiving.
I agree that blocking and receiving are important but what catches the coaches eyes are the POP and hitting.The third is overall athleticism IMO.
I agree with Ohio Dad and mostly in that order. While arm and pop time are important, most of the coaches my son has played for have valued his ability to block a 2 strike curve ball in the dirt with a runner on base. From the time that my son began catching at age 9, pitchers on his team want him behind the plate and ask the coach for him to be in the lineup when they pitch. They trust him and love the amount of strikes he steals for them. The arm is the part most of the population "ooohhs and aaahhs" over, but don't discount receiving.
I agree that blocking and receiving are important but what catches the coaches eyes are the POP and hitting.The third is overall athleticism IMO. This is what I have noticed at all the showcases we did this summer.
Hitting goes without saying. I get that arms and pop times are important, but you must have the whole package. A good pop time does you no good if the ball gets by you. I've seen plenty of catchers at the WWBA events over the last two summers who throw bullets to second between innings, but are lazy behind the plate.
85% of catching is receiving the pitch, thus catcher,
10% is blocking and
5% is throwing.
85% of catching is receiving the pitch, thus catcher,
10% is blocking and
5% is throwing.
Considering POP time is the first thing anyone looks at before they'll even decide to go watch a catcher play, I'd have to disagree.
If we're doing percentages I'd say
30% catching....coaches can make you a better catcher.
30% mental capacity/knowledge of the game....you can't teach smart....lol
25% pop time...coaches can help with this
15% hitting ability....coaches don't want to have to help with this...catching will take up all of the kid's practice time
85% of catching is receiving the pitch, thus catcher,
10% is blocking and
5% is throwing.
Considering POP time is the first thing anyone looks at before they'll even decide to go watch a catcher play, I'd have to disagree.
If someone is making a decision by solely looking at POP in order to see them play then they are not doing their job.
30 years of observing over 1,000 catchers in our Area Code games and Goodwill Series International events and discussions with pro scouts who were former ML catchers, my conclusions.
Can you read the bat, call the game, frame the pitch, study the runners feet, know your pitcher, shift your feet and "frame the pitch".
Showcasing has harmed the development of the art of catching.
We will again travel to Australia for our 20th year. I am concerned that we will not
have the future professional catcher.
Bob
Hitting goes without saying. I get that arms and pop times are important, but you must have the whole package. A good pop time does you no good if the ball gets by you. I've seen plenty of catchers at the WWBA events over the last two summers who throw bullets to second between innings, but are lazy behind the plate.
I agree the total package is good. I was only referring to what I have seen at showcases and what draws the initial interest of coaches. Like any position you have to be able to play the game.
85% of catching is receiving the pitch, thus catcher,
10% is blocking and
5% is throwing.
Considering POP time is the first thing anyone looks at before they'll even decide to go watch a catcher play, I'd have to disagree.
If someone is making a decision by solely looking at POP in order to see them play then they are not doing their job.
I guess maybe that came out wrong....my point was that if you're a HS senior throwing POP times of 2.2+, you're not going to get a D1 college coach to make a trip to see you unless you're 6'2, 200+ and hit the heck out of the ball. Yes, if they are at an event and see a kid catch well, block well and hit well, then they'll worry a lot less about the 2.2. On the other hand, if a coach is hearing "this kid throws 1.9-20 consistently" you can bet he'll probably jump in his car, drive to see him...and then take in the "whole package" once he is there...but it's the getting the coach there in the first place that is going to be the tough part...verifiable POP times are the only real thing a coach can go by if he's never seen the kid play...either in person or on video.
All good stuff and I am with you Buckeye 2015. I value your input having been there and done that! I think what Ohio Dad stated is a great basis to work from for a lay person such as myself. Hopefully some other very knowledgeable folks will chime in soon.
I'm biased, but IMO blocking, receiving, and leadership most important. "Pop time" is over rated. You can still get guys out with a less than steller pop time. But, with that said, pop time is like a college degree -- you need one in the sub 2.0 range to get the "interview."
The only thing I see missing is making it a point to know your pitchers and having the ability to help each of them perform at their best on any given day.
Agreed. Cabbage, I forgot that. A good catcher typically is very cerebral.
Number one: He has to be able to control the running game. Most of this is just his arm, if he can't throw you are just putting lipstick on a pig with all those blocking drills---
If he can control the running game, then we move on to the higher level stuff; receiving, staying still, catching the low strike, leadership, defensive abilities handling bunts, giving positive body language to his pitcher, positive umpire relationship....
sure if he's an athletic stud it helps... but that's true about every position
Number one: He has to be able to control the running game. Most of this is just his arm, if he can't throw you are just putting lipstick on a pig with all those blocking drills---
Disclaimer - I going out on a limb, probably will fuel the fire, but...
Most bases are stolen on a pitcher not the catcher.
As the speed of the game gets faster as you climb the ladder POP's get more important as does the ability for pitchers to hold runners. Pitchers time to the plate will vary anywhere from 1.3 - 1.8 (just guessing). A good catcher will take some of the pressure off the pitcher so that he can focus more on pitching to the hitter versus holding the runner on. JMHO
They are stolen on both. watch the runners right toe. Is it pointed in or out?
The 1b also has responsibility. Each team has "pick off" signs.
USE THEM!
BOB
That just it. A team has to control the running game. It is not just on the catcher. One part of controlling the running game is a good block.
I had a chance to talk to a college recruiting coach and I asked him what he looks for. He said it's all about the POP and hitting. If they are decent at receiving and blocking we feel we can coach them up.
Its pretty easy see (time) if the catcher is the guy giving up bases rather then his teammates, however its usually not obvious to the pitchers parents
The most important quality of a good catcher is recognizing a problem with his "game" and successfully addressing it,
Having said that, a solid bat and strong arm goes a long way to giving a "developing" catcher opportunities to play.
Here is what scouts and coaches look for in catchers: http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/p...couting_catchers.htm
Wow. Great discussion and I missed it. My son's sometimes catching instructor has always emphasized the need for a catcher to be an onfield leader and pitching instructor (getting the best out of your pitcher). Next is the ability to receive well, not give away strikes, and get marginal pitches called strikes by sticking pitches, etc. Followed by blocking or picking (situational and locational-dependent) EVERYTHING. Last was throw-downs given their relative rarity and given the pitcher is making it mathematically impossible to throw many runners out short of an absolute cannon.And velocity means nothing if the accuracy is not there.
However, I'm coming to the opinion that throw-downs and pop-times, as a measureable metric, get the lions share of (disproportianate) attention at high-level travel levels and beyong. That's how it is so that is where he is now putting much of his focus and work...in addition to hitting (he bats lefty), which has always been hugely important to him.
If you are looking to get recruited they are looking at pop times, velocities and hitting.
However, to be a quality HS catcher I am looking at a few other things...#1 how well does he receive the fastball that is below the knees? Can he be a leader (the whole team is facing you every game)? Is his throwing arm accurate? Does he move well to field the bunt?
Colleges believe they can teach those things, and some probably can...but we have been really successful despite having some catchers who did not throw well. We really want the guy to catch/receive the ball well. We want to get every 50/50 strike call in our favor. I am not as worried about arm strength at the HS level, as most baserunners cannot run well if the pitcher does a good job of disrupting timing.
Great posts and I also missed out on the train.
Arm strength for a C is the number #1 focus and I can understand why. Can't teach that. I have a 2016 C-only who is an undersized 16 year old at 5'8", 170 lbs that has been formerly trained since 3rd grade. He looks like a catcher, eats and breaths it, and is a complete wall behind the dish with textbook blocking and incredible lateral quickness, soft hands and a high C IQ. Has impeccable footwork, transfer and throws every ball on the bag. At this point, his POP is 2.15-2.30 with a 68 mph velocity, but he throws a lot of runners out on a high level travel team due to the aforementioned items and ensuring runners are held on closely.
However, he does not usually stand out as a top 5 catcher at showcases or camps or travel tryouts as 95% of the time the only C evaluation is 5-6 throws to 2B to get a POP time (and sometimes a velocity). Watch him catch 2 games.......then the advanced nature of his skill set is appreciated. Nonetheless, the reality is that arm strength/POP time matters big time and he continues to work to improve that.
However, he does not usually stand out as a top 5 catcher at showcases or camps or travel tryouts as 95% of the time the only C evaluation is 5-6 throws to 2B to get a POP time (and sometimes a velocity). Watch him catch 2 games.......then the advanced nature of his skill set is appreciated. Nonetheless, the reality is that arm strength/POP time matters big time and he continues to work to improve that.
Ding. My experience as well. My son's 5-6 throwdowns for the tryout for his current showcase team were all good but not great. What got him on the team was his hitting. However, his ability to manage a game behind the plate, speed on the bases, and ability to play OF is much appreciated. (Ironically, his usually excellent hitting has been way off since he joined the team, despite nonstop efforts to break the slump.)
However, he does not usually stand out as a top 5 catcher at showcases or camps or travel tryouts as 95% of the time the only C evaluation is 5-6 throws to 2B to get a POP time (and sometimes a velocity). Watch him catch 2 games.......then the advanced nature of his skill set is appreciated. Nonetheless, the reality is that arm strength/POP time matters big time and he continues to work to improve that.
Ding. My experience as well. My son's 5-6 throwdowns for the tryout for his current showcase team were all good but not great. What got him on the team was his hitting. However, his ability to manage a game behind the plate, speed on the bases, and ability to play OF is much appreciated. (Ironically, his usually excellent hitting has been way off since he joined the team, despite nonstop efforts to break the slump.)
Funny, at my kid's tryout this fall he had all the coaches complimenting him on his blocking and receiving. They couldn't believe how advanced he was for his age. The pitching flat out sucked so he was very busy. They had seen too many times the walk become a triple because of a passed ball and wild pitch.
If you are looking to get recruited they are looking at pop times, velocities and hitting.
However, to be a quality HS catcher I am looking at a few other things...#1 how well does he receive the fastball that is below the knees? Can he be a leader (the whole team is facing you every game)? Is his throwing arm accurate? Does he move well to field the bunt?
Colleges believe they can teach those things, and some probably can...but we have been really successful despite having some catchers who did not throw well. We really want the guy to catch/receive the ball well. We want to get every 50/50 strike call in our favor. I am not as worried about arm strength at the HS level, as most baserunners cannot run well if the pitcher does a good job of disrupting timing.
This has been my experience so far as well. Majority of catchers I have seen at showcases are all pretty good blockers and receivers. To set yourself apart gotta have good a pop time and hit.
Great posts and I also missed out on the train.
Arm strength for a C is the number #1 focus and I can understand why. Can't teach that. I have a 2016 C-only who is an undersized 16 year old at 5'8", 170 lbs that has been formerly trained since 3rd grade. He looks like a catcher, eats and breaths it, and is a complete wall behind the dish with textbook blocking and incredible lateral quickness, soft hands and a high C IQ. Has impeccable footwork, transfer and throws every ball on the bag. At this point, his POP is 2.15-2.30 with a 68 mph velocity, but he throws a lot of runners out on a high level travel team due to the aforementioned items and ensuring runners are held on closely.
However, he does not usually stand out as a top 5 catcher at showcases or camps or travel tryouts as 95% of the time the only C evaluation is 5-6 throws to 2B to get a POP time (and sometimes a velocity). Watch him catch 2 games.......then the advanced nature of his skill set is appreciated. Nonetheless, the reality is that arm strength/POP time matters big time and he continues to work to improve that.
Although velocity is important, it is about 6/10ths of POPTIME. The other 4/10ths is in the release. Too many camps/ showcases focus on velocity. So, you could select a catcher with superior velocity over the catcher with superior PopTime!!
The true young prospect is the catcher with the mechanics to be accurate and the release time .8 and under. As he gets bigger/ stronger, his work ethic will improve velocity.
Not knowing what's actually in my son's coach's head, I can rely on what I know about my son - who is a HS catcher. A good HS catcher should be observant, accurate, and highly athletic with exemplary leadership skills and a bit of fearlessness. If his team (especially his pitchers) don't trust him, it significantly lessens the chances for success. He shows up every single day, even misses out on some other practice because he's catching bull pens to help his teammates get better. I think coaches seek more stable personalities in catchers as well.
Firefly; can you teach your boy to "read the bat".
Send me a private message and I will send names of two former pro catchers who coach our teams to Australia.
Bob
