Author: Coach JP

It is certain that no matter how good a catcher is, balls will get past him and roll to the backstop. You can call them wild pitches orpassed balls, but it doesn’t make any difference at the time of the play. The important thing is that the catcher knows how to make the play correctly and how… Continue reading Handling Passed Balls

A catcher’s throw down to second base is usually evaluated by determining the elapsed time from the point the pitched ball hits the catcher’s glove, until the ball hits the infielder’s glove taking the throw at 2nd. This time is known as the “Pop Time.” Much emphasis has been put on this time when evaluating… Continue reading Evaluating a Catcher’s Throw to 2nd

It seems that many players and coaches recognize how little time is allocated during practices for catchers to work on their catching skills, like blocking, exchange drills, pickoff throws, and proper handling of passed balls with a throw to the pitcher covering home plate, just to name a few. Often times it has been said to me… Continue reading The Most Wasted 20 Minutes in a Catcher’s Life

I suspect the title of this article might have got your attention. It would seem that I am advocating having catchers stop doing something that catchers have always been told and taught to do. Actually I am advocating having them use proper receiving techniques, and avoid some of the techniques that have become common place… Continue reading Don’t Ever Let Your Catchers Frame a Pitch