How to Play Catcher

Call every pitch and throw out runners trying to steal! Learn about a catcher's gear and how to play the catcher position in this baseball video.

Take Action

Do homework on batters
Pitch differently towards different batters
Stay in shape during off-season

About this Author

Jimmy Goethals is a Triple A baseball catcher.

How are you doing? I'm Jimmy Goethals with the Round Rock Express here in Round Rock, Texas, an AAA affiliate of the Houston Astros. I'm here to talk to you a little bit about catching and why I catch. I like to catch because you're involved in every single play. You get to call every pitch. Anytime there is a play, you get to tell them which base to throw it to. You get to throw guys out and my favorite part, you get to get dirty. I don't do my own laundry so I get as dirty as possible. A couple of things I want to point out are just my gear. As you can see, I got shin guards on. These help me for a couple of reasons and as you can see, I'm on my knees, and so whenever I have to block a ball, it protects my legs or anything like that. Also with foul tips and foul balls, or from the batter swinging the bat, I don't get beat up a whole lot. I also have my chest protector for foul tips and foul balls, or when I go to block a ball, I'm here and it's going to hit off my stomach, off my chest protector, so I don't hurt myself. I also wear my mask that protects my face, any foul tips, foul balls, and whatnot. There is a play coming home and a guy runs me over, I'm not going to get any stitches in my face. I also have my glove, obviously to catch the ball. Catching is a great part of the game we have to learn, although it's a tough part of the game. It's the hardest position on the field. We have to do a lot of homework especially on the other hitters, whenever I play a game. We have to study every hitter and what their strengths and weaknesses are, and then compare them to our pitcher and what his strengths and his weaknesses are, and we kind of get a basic guideline of how we're going to pitch each guy and whatnot and throughout the game, it might change based on if he has made adjustments or if our pitcher is struggling, or what we can do, and also, that pitcher is not going to be in the whole game most of the time so I've got to start working with other pitchers on his strengths and weaknesses for the same lineup. It's a fun position. It's mentally and physically demanding. When you play 162 games a year, you have to be in shape. In the off season I do a lot of Pilates, yoga, weight training, and obviously, you need to have a good diet in order to last; otherwise, your body will break down.

How to Play Catcher Video

Take Action

About this Author

Member Comments