According to Braves Mix --- an online source for Atlanta Braves and other baseball news --- catcher is the toughest baseball position to play, as it's the most physically and mentally taxing position. A catcher is responsible for positioning the defense, and keeping baserunners from advancing, and he's usually in charge of selecting the type and location of pitches for his pitcher. Baseball rules for catchers primarily are informal ones, and involve tactical decisions to improve the team's defense.
Pitch Selection
According to a 2005 article by David Gassko in "The Hardball Times," one of most important rules for being a competent catcher is the ability to determine proper pitch selection and location --- also known as calling a good game. Catchers, sometimes with the help of coaches, suggest pitch types --- such as a fastball, curveball or change-up --- and pitch locations to their pitchers that they believe will fool the batter and generate an out. The pitcher usually has the final say about pitch selection, but pitchers often defer to catchers' judgment about what pitch is appropriate in a given situation. A catcher who works well with his pitcher, understands his opponent, and can call a good game can have a significant impact on a pitcher's performance and career. Some Major League Baseball pitchers work exclusively with catchers who are known to call a good game, further evidence that this skill, or rule, for being a competent catcher is important.
Directing the Defense
Catchers are expected to be their defense's field general, an informal rule about the position that's been in place since the game began. A competent catcher knows how to direct his teammates on the field in every possible situation, and will use verbal commands, or signals and body language, to help position other players appropriately. A catcher's ability to direct the defense becomes even more important when there is a runner or runners on base. Catchers are expected to control the base paths, and keep runners on base from advancing. Through hand signals, catchers instruct their pitchers to check a runner by performing a pick-off maneuver, and they are responsible for making accurate and timely throws to infielders during stolen-base attempts. Directing the defense is an important part of being a catcher.
Protecting Home Plate
In his article for "The Hardball Times," Gassko states that one of the catcher's primary responsibilities is to keep the ball in front of him, which means stopping the passed balls and wild pitches that allow baserunners to advance. If you're a catcher, keeping the ball in front of you is just one of many ways in which you're expected to protect home plate, or keep a runner from scoring --- another informal rule about the position. During plays at the plate, when a catcher receives a throw from a fielder to prevent a runner from scoring, a catcher is expected to stand his ground against the charging runner, and although he can't block the base path, he can straddle home plate and force the runner into an unfavorable position. There have been numerous collisions between runners and catchers, in which runners attempt to bowl over the catcher and knock the ball loose. While these collisions have the potential to injure a catcher, a catcher must do his best to protect home plate from the advancing runner.
Member Comments