Here is a quick tip/goal for catchers …
Challenge yourself to get your pitcher 10 more strikes a game.
Be fanatical about getting more strikes for your pitcher!
To accomplish this, catchers need to be good in the following areas:
- Keeping movements behind the plate to a minimum.
- Beat the ball to its location so you can catch with the glove moving inward.
- Have strong hands on the catch to not allow the ball to knock your mitt outside the zone after catching it.
- Have good relations with the umpire behind you.
Hitters know very well that there is a huge difference between a 1-2 count and a 2-1 count. The same for an 0-1 and a 1-0 count. Moral: Every pitch has meaning and a catcher who can get his pitcher 10 more strikes a game is going to get him into more pitchers’ counts.
Do that and you’ll be worth your weight in gold.
Tomorrow’s post: Pitchers – Are you a head-snap guy or a glove guy?
