Catching question

[NumeroUno]

I have a question about the way a catcher sets up.

If a catcher is calling for an inside or outside pitch should the catcher adjust their feet accordingly?
Should the catcher always try to keep the ball in the center of her body?

[Coach11]

Yes, and yes.

Even a wild pitch.....we teach our catchers to move their entire body, rather than just the glove hand.

Keep the ball centered whenever possible.

[NumeroUno]

So when the pitcher is at the top of the circle and an outside pitch is called the catcher should shift her feet a few inches to the outside of the plate

[wadeintothem]

Depends, are they working the corners for a strike or just throwing a pitchout or waste pitch?

Catchers working corners shouldnt adjust more than a few inches off center and should work as close to the plate as possible without interfering with the batter.

If its a pitch out, outside set up is fine.

no need to ever set up too far inside. You take away the slot and its unnecessary. A catcher should be able to catch or they should be in right field.

The setup, especially over adjusting their set up to the called pitch, is one of the major errors made by many softball catchers. And many times, it is costly.

As a former catcher and now umpire, I posted many other tips here
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2076

I guess take em or leave em.

[NumeroUno]

Thanks Wade I printed that for our catcher.
okay no wedgies for Wade in Fresno

[GIMNEPIWO]

Thanks Wade I printed that for our catcher.
okay no wedgies for Wade in Fresno

So "swirlies" are still okay?

[Coach11]

So when the pitcher is at the top of the circle and an outside pitch is called the catcher should shift her feet a few inches to the outside of the plate

"Top of the circle"?

I like to have my catchers set themselves just as pitcher begins here windup.

But I agree with Wade....."how much" and "when" is often determined by the situation.

[wadeintothem]

Thanks Wade I printed that for our catcher.
okay no wedgies for Wade in Fresno

So "swirlies" are still okay?

Dont you know all umpires go commando when on the field?

[watcher]

My kid was taught to set up in the middle & kind sway over to the inside or outside a little as needed, She needs to beat the ball to the spot so she is not stabbing @ it. Alot of strikes are called balls because the glove is still moving (and keeps moving) when the ball is recieved.

But rule #1 will get you more close calls than any framing lol

Rule#1- Do not under any circumstances let the blue get hit by any pitched or thrown ball.

[GIMNEPIWO]

Thanks Wade I printed that for our catcher.
okay no wedgies for Wade in Fresno

So "swirlies" are still okay?

Dont you know all umpires go commando when on the field?

Since this will be my first year off the bucket ( occasionally ) and behind the dish ( even more occasionally ) ... do I go commando in all rule sets?