pitchers/catchers

[softballrocks]

Whuts up all. My second post so far

My DD is a catcher and started taking lessons right out of coach pitch. Although it may seem strange, she has learned to frame pitches, set up for throws, time her moves to set up pitch location, call pitches, ask for appeals, how to talk to umps, etc.

Go figure... A 10 yr old can handle it. Only in TEXAS though

Softballrocks
Signed
12U free agent

[tex]

I will not disagree that there are some very good catchers in the 10u A division.

As young catchers and I have seen them all in the last 2 years in the Houston area, they still have problem areas because of there age and experience levels.

1) They have problems moving side to side and blocking low pitches. They want to just reach for the ball.

2) They have problems being quick enough to go up and get a high hard rise ball.

3) They have problems getting in good positions to throw to the bases

4) They have problems holding on to pitches that have alot of spin.

I am not saying they are not good catchers they are very good. As they get older and more experience the problems above will go away.


QUESTION: Why in the world would you want a 10u catcher calling pitches??? They are not ready for that yet. Please give them time to grow and develope before you add more pressure and demands to an already tough job.

[DonnieS]

SS, we are 6 years past it, but at 10u, we had a catcher who definitely framed her catches, she was very aggressive at appealing swings, did a good job of gunning down base runners, did she make my kid look better, yep. I remember thinking back then, it would be fun to start working her at calling pitches, and that for her, hasnt happened even yet. Not on my team, she may call in high school.

[red_white_my_view]

If you look at the strength of competition today compared to five years ago say, I wold have to agree that the amount of good catchers are more than a few and that they start in the 10u age group.

[TwinsDad]

All I know is I hate when my daughter has a catcher that cant hold onto the ball on the 3rd strike. But from what I have seen, there are some very good catchers at 10u A and B ball. Also, I saw a comment on a 10u hitting over 200ft, I think a lot has to do with these new bats. I am not trying to take away from the good hitters, but these composite bats do help out a lot. Not that it matters, and I think its a waste, I have even seen 8u players using those bats. 10u and up yes, not for 8u.

[3Bsnag]

All I know is I hate when my daughter has a catcher that cant hold onto the ball on the 3rd strike....

All I know is I hate when my daughter is catching a pitcher that can't hit her spots and she goes sprawling side to side to save it from the backstop.

[THE MAD-DOG99]

All I know is I hate when my daughter has a catcher that cant hold onto the ball on the 3rd strike....

All I know is I hate when my daughter is catching a pitcher that can't hit her spots and she goes sprawling side to side to save it from the backstop.

Snag you got it....DD caught for a kid at the beginning of the year...1 game..40 pitches..8 strikes...coach took her out..dad went balistic...
left team, because, you know..the catchers suck..the coaching is bad..and his DD is a star...
he's going to put her on a real team speach...she plays rec ball now , of course

[pdj]

From the first practice I work a catcher on the mental side of the game. Fundamentals are not only for the physical skills. I do not expect all 10 YO catchers to call a game. It is expected that they will discuss the pitch selection, what was called and why.

A 12U battery is quite capable of calling a game. Most are free to shake me off should I ask for a certain pitch. They should be ready to justify their action. Never will I say they are wrong, just "that next time lets try so and so." Most catchers at this age have caught more fastpitch games than the majority of coaches.

Above 12U, with 3-4 years experience, there is no way that I can see the game as well as the catcher. Very seldom will I ever call a pitch. If I do and the play goes badly I take responsibility. My ego is bruised but, the catcher learns.

My daughter got great catching lessons by going with me to men's fastpitch games. She would sit behind home plate and be coached by current and long retired catchers/pitchers/hitters. Got some great advice on the mental side of the game. Taking advantage of this opportunity served her well.

[TwinsDad]

All I know is I hate when my daughter has a catcher that cant hold onto the ball on the 3rd strike....

All I know is I hate when my daughter is catching a pitcher that can't hit her spots and she goes sprawling side to side to save it from the backstop.

I agree with that as well. If the pitcher is walking batters, she needs to come out asap. I hate when coaches leave them in, and refuse to admit that there daughter is struggling .

[softballfan98]

Our 10U catcher is capable of calling a game, and we have practiced it in pool games off and on throughout the year. She calls time out to go and calm down the pitcher or an infielder who may have made a recent error in the game. She is quick to tell me where the batter is lining up in the box, and whether or not the umpire is giving us the corner or the black on the plate.

A great pitcher cannot be great without a catcher able to handle it. An umpire can't make good calls if they are constantly flinching from being beat down by passed balls. Most importantly to me however, is can you call any pitch in any situation with your catcher. OR do you change the way you call pitches in a close game with a girl on 3rd??? Can your catcher block a strikeout pitch in the dirt, and pop up and tag the runner instead of drawing a throw to first - perhaps allowing the runner from third to score. A strikeout pitcher needs a catcher who can handle strikeout pitches....

All you pitcher's dads find teams wtih good catchers, if you really want to be able to advance your daughters skills as a pitcher. Because, if you don't she will be limited in her abilities by the catcher's inability to make the play!