A couple years ago I created a short video detailing the “Ball to Ear Myth” for catchers and the way they throw. Another myth about how catchers throw goes like this – Catchers must be taught to throw straight over the top in order to prevent the ball from tailing to second or third base.
Before I discuss it a bit, let’s take a look at how the best catcher in the world does it …
If you go to YouTube and search for other MLB catchers, I think you will find similar results. I know this because I searched for them myself. And by the way … did you notice that he never took the ball from where he caught it directly to his ear?
Every throwing technique and angle has its pros and cons. Right over the top has the benefit of not creating a tail on the throw but it takes a little bit longer to travel up and over to the release point. A three quarter throw like Yadier Molina is a little quicker but it can create a little bit of a tail. Both techniques have tradeoffs.
My point is that every catcher needs to find for himself the method that works best for him taking into account his hand/transition speed, arm strength, and foot quickness. What works for Molina may not work for you and vice versa.
I chalk this up as more proof that there are very few (if any) universals in teaching baseball.
