Where to set up?

I teach the players to gauge proper distance the following way. When in sign giving stance if they extend their glove hand toward the back knee of a right handed batter their glove should just miss the knee. If a left handed batter, then they extend their throwing hand, picturing they have a glove on it, and it would just miss that knee too. These distances should keep you clear.

That makes sense. I think the issue is that he is setting up at the same spot vis-a-vis the plate, and not always adjusting for where the batters set up.

twotex what happens many times young catchers set up in the exact some spot where the other catchers have been setting up. You know that hole that has been created in the back of the box area. They dont set up to each hitter they set up in a predetermined spot.

Some hitters move around in the box. Up on a pitch , back on another. Some hitters get deep in the box some not so deep. Catching coach gave you some good advice in his post. I really love my catchers to crowd the hitters. I want them as close as they can get without getting a CI.

Great advice and both have hit the nail on the head. I use catching coach's reference of hand extended to the knee. I absolutely hated back in the day of trying to catch when there were two holes because the other guy was too lazy to move around. I teach my guys at the start of every inning that after his throw down to make sure the ground is smooth and holes are filled in.

You really want to get as close to the hitter as possible because that gives pitches that move quite a bit a better look of being strikes. The deeper the catcher the more the ball will move away from the zone when caught. If you can catch that ball as soon as it leaves the plate area and stick it you will get more strikes. Vast majority of umps want to call strikes but you can't make them look bad with your frame.

quote:

Originally posted by Catching Coach:
I teach the players to gauge proper distance the following way. When in sign giving stance if they extend their glove hand toward the back knee of a right handed batter their glove should just miss the knee. If a left handed batter, then they extend their throwing hand, picturing they have a glove on it, and it would just miss that knee too. These distances should keep you clear.

This is the same gauge I teach as well.

I remember a speaker a few years ago that I heard talk and he said there should never be a hole in the catchers spot at home plate. If they are moving to each hitter, it should stay fairly level.

I agree, but have to admit, some fields just get the hole no matter what.

A little bit off the topic, but relevant:

If the home plate area is properly cared for after each game it will be difficult for a catcher to dig holes even if he doesn't move. Pushing loose dirt into the holes and watering it down doesn't cut it. You need to have a good clay base and compact it after every game, just like the pitchers mound.

Holes in the ground will effect throws.

quote:

Originally posted by CollegeParent:
A little bit off the topic, but relevant:

If the home plate area is properly cared for after each game it will be difficult for a catcher to dig holes even if he doesn't move. Pushing loose dirt into the holes and watering it down doesn't cut it. You need to have a good clay base and compact it after every game, just like the pitchers mound.

Holes in the ground will effect throws.

Agree 100%.

The problem is about half the coaches I come into contact with either do not know to how to do this or choose to not much time into their field work. When you play at their fields they usually have holes in the batter boxes, catchers box, and in front of the rubber after the first couple of innings. It isn't pretty.

I tell my catchers to do some "housekeeping" every inning they go out there to try to get things smoothed out the best they can.