The catcher needs to be a leader either by example or by command. Hopefully both. The catcher position also needs to be an athlete (quick, strong, can throw,block balls in the dirt , one who is willing to sacrifice it all). Catchers do not have to be the fastest runner, but they must be one of your smartest players.
Fielding % as Catcher - Highest Career Fielding Percentage: Chris Snyder, . 9976%. Framing Statistics: Please note, the following statistics originated beginning with the 2015 MLB season. Strike Rate - Highest Average in a Season (minimum pitches called = 500/season): Jeff Mathis, 55.1% in 2018.
3 Things All Catchers Must Know- Stopping the Ball. Catchers tend to rely too much on their gloves, and need to learn to get their bodies in front of the ball.
Age 3 - Your child should be able to catch a ball thrown from 5 feet away with hands only, and arms outstretched. Ages 4-5 - Your child can catch a tennis ball, with hands only, from 5 feet away. Age 6 - Your child should be able to bounce a tennis ball and catch it with one hand.
Catcher is the hardest position because of the physical toll it takes on the body. The catcher has many physical challenges and must wear protective equipment due to the nature of the position while squatting over a hundred times in a typical game.
It’s one of the hardest positions to play on the baseball field: Catchers are constantly beaten up and hit with bats, balls and sometimes players. They have to squat down on their knees for nine or more innings, catching hundreds of pitches of varying speeds, movements and breaks.
Fundamentals of Catching
Thumbs pointing toward each other; Palms facing toward the ball, with hands comfortably at chest high; Let the ball come into the hands; As the player catches the ball, their thumbs and “pointer” fingers will be behind the ball.
For children at the developing level of catching skill development: Introduce butterfly fingers for balls above the waist and wriggly worms for balls below the waist. Try catching with different sized balls. Play games such as Catch Tag and Sticky Catches.
Based off my experiences the four general areas that coaches look at in a catcher are pop-times, receiving ability, game-calling/leadership and blocking ability.
Catcher averages are around 6 feet tall, and the average weight is around 214 pounds. First basemen also tend to be a little taller, averaging 6 feet 2.5 inches (similar to pitchers), which gives them a longer reach than shorter players.
SIGN-GIVING STANCE
This blocks the third base coach from stealing signs. The sign-giving stance should be very relaxed, with the catcher sitting on his toes and the knees kept in tight. Young catchers have a tendency to open their legs up too wide, enabling opposing players and coaches to see the signs being given.
Hide the hand.
A lot of the positioning depends on personal preference and comfort. Wherever it is located, the key is to keep it hidden from foul balls. Many young players are taught to keep the hand behind their back. I’m not a fan of this position because it tends to throw off a catcher’s balance too much.
Catchers typically throw the ball to third base after a strikeout to keep fielders in the game. This is called throwing “around the horn.” Although it may not seem like it, throwing the ball to third post strikeout is beneficial for a lot of the players involved.
One-knee stances help improve a catcher’s receiving on bottom-zone pitches and can increase how many of those pitches end up being called strikes. For MLB the potential run value of each skill swings heavily in favor of receiving.
By this time, children can dress themselves, catch a ball more easily using only their hands, and tie their shoes. Having independence from family becomes more important now. Events such as starting school bring children this age into regular contact with the larger world.
Language Skills- Name and understand days, months, and seasons.
Describe how things relate to one another.
Use logical thinking to express themself in some contexts.
Use more complex sentences.
Tell a story more effectively.
By age 7 or 8, young baseball players have a bit more coordination, and coaches can start to go beyond the basics of how to catch, throw, field, hit and run the bases. Game-like situations help young players think on their feet, and to communicate and collaborate with each other. Baseball is a team sport, after all.