#catching101

Do not set up too early after giving your sign. This gives away pitch location. Opposing coaches will relay this information to the hitter or the hitter may peek back to see where you are sitting. Knowing pitch location helps a hitter. If the pitcher is in the windup, set up just as the pitcher is starting his windup. If the pitcher is in a stretch position use your judgment. You should move just before the pitcher is delivering the ball to the plate.

Catching Positions or Setups

Don't reach for the ball, let it come to you.

Keep your hands soft, but your arm and wrist firm.

If the pitch is in the strike zone, keep your mitt as still as possible. Don't drop your mitt, especially if the pitch is low.

Move your glove to the spot before the ball gets there.

Stick or Hold the pitch in the location caught to give the umpire a better look at it. Don’t hold an obvious ball or non strike.

Keep your glove up and in the location where the pitch should be in order to give the pitcher a good target.

Ideally, you want to be as far forward toward home plate as possible without your mitt interfering with a batter's swing. The closer you can get toward your pitcher the easier you make it for the pitcher to hit his locations (shorter distance to throw the ball) and also you provide the umpire with a better opportunity to make accurate ball and strike calls.