catcher question

[catchers_rock]

at what age to Catcher typically start calling the pitches? I have a catcher that is pretty good at memorizing batters and knowing what and when her pitcher can throw. Just haven’t been given the opportunity to try an inning/Saturday game on her own . I am sure it comes down to the coaches preference. Just wondering

[Don'thavealife]

It really depends on the Coaches. I got to tell you it is a lost art of Catchers. There are alot of Coaches that call the Pitches and won't allow their catchers to do it. As a Coach, you have to "teach" a catcher on how to call a proper game. My Catchers have called their own games for the last 4 years. When they are unsure (pitcher having a bad day or a bad ump)or a Pitcher they are not familiar with, I will take over and get them in a groove. There is a learning curve, but it they are not allowed to do it, they will never learn. Personally, definately by 18's and with really aware and smart catchers, 16's. Some don't want to give up that power, but if we have taught our players correctly, they can call a very good game and usually do. IMO

[Iluvblue]

I wont allow it, and it has nothing to do with power.

We won a HS playoff game 2 years ago, and no doubt in my mind we won that game because the catcher was calling the game. We won 1-0 the result of walking the number 9 batter.

Start watching all of the college games and see how many catchers are calling the games.

Not sure why people think the catcher needs to call the game??

[Battle]

I wont allow it, and it has nothing to do with power.

We won a HS playoff game 2 years ago, and no doubt in my mind we won that game because the catcher was calling the game. We won 1-0 the result of walking the number 9 batter.

Start watching all of the college games and see how many catchers are calling the games.

Not sure why people think the catcher needs to call the game??

IMO, because they have a better view, where the pitcher is hitting or missing her spots, and how much their breaking balls are breaking. I also believe in calling pitches to the strength of the pitcher rather than to the weakness of the batter unless I know the batter is very weak on certain locations or pitches. It's hard to tell what pitches are working the best from a side view.

[Battle]

at what age to Catcher typically start calling the pitches? I have a catcher that is pretty good at memorizing batters and knowing what and when her pitcher can throw. Just haven’t been given the opportunity to try an inning/Saturday game on her own . I am sure it comes down to the coaches preference. Just wondering

I would say start working her in at 14u (maybe even 12u) letting her call a few pool games and see what happens. At first let her give you the signs and then the pitcher. JMO

[onlooker]

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[AlwaysImprove]

Best plan is to work together to call the game. Start by having her flash an indication what she would call, have a sign to confirm it. Two minds are better than one. I always had my catchers come into the dugout and tell me what they saw in the hitters. Always encourage her to provide feedback on anything you may be calling, as she is the one right there and she does see things that you may not see in the dugout.

Getting the catcher involved is critical. Downside is few catchers that would call a full count bases loaded change up. Having your catcher call pitches may make your pitch calling more conservative.

I also knew a catcher that did not like to call a change up with runners on, cause the steal would make her look bad. Guess what the 2 run hr shot, did not make her look bad, but the pitcher looked bad, and team still lost.

I do not want pitchers parents yelling at a catcher when they think the pitch call killed the game. Too much pressure for a catcher and she should not have to deal with it.

[Imperial SB Dad]

Shouldn't the pitcher call her own pitches? She is the one that knows what is working for her, knows what pitch she can throw when, and sees batter location in relation to home plate best.

I have seen this personally several times at the college level work to a great level of success. The signs get reversed with the pitcher signalling the catcher.

[AlwaysImprove]

Shouldn't the pitcher call her own pitches? She is the one that knows what is working for her, knows what pitch she can throw when, and sees batter location in relation to home plate best.

I have seen this personally several times at the college level work to a great level of success. The signs get reversed with the pitcher signalling the catcher.

Nah, pitchers are mostly nuts. For instance my DD is a blond lefty. I am just happy if she does not wander off into left field. JK, of course.

Yes, pitchers input should be considered very important as well. Pitchers rarely have the understanding of what the batter did in the last at bat that the catcher has. Also, pitchers sometimes need to be pushed out of their comfort zone, if they are calling the pitches they will not push themselves. For instance, call a riseball right after a riseball missed and went over the fence.

[Iluvblue]

Like i said... look at the top d1 programs in the nation and see how many catchers are calling the games. Not many, so why do you think a 12u player should start calling games?

my catchers will let me know if a kid is all over the plate, or way off the plate.

I will yell out to my pitchers to throw whatever they want when they fall behind 3-0.

There is NO ADVANTAGE to a catcher calling a game.

Comparing a 12-18 year old player with a professional athlete like Manning that spends HOURS UPON HOURS studying game film is ridiculous in my opinion. When I get a young catcher that watches games and studies the game, then I might consider it.

until then, they catch, I coach.