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Get your catcher off his knee with runners on base

moveslikepuddles

moveslikepuddles

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Mar 8, 2017
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What are we doing? Blocking a ball in the dirt is a catchers most important job

There’s a reason the camp associate with the Buster Posey Award is called Just Block It

Just Block it

justblockit.com justblockit.com
 
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goheels1117

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This is just something about the current game that I don’t get. Everybody does it so I’d like to talk to smart people in the game who teach it. There have to be reasons for it but to me it encourages laziness behind the plate.
 
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wsdog

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I posted on this elsewhere but in this thread I’m not questioning Winslow personally, but rather why coaches allow this technique with runners on. With bases empty it’s OK if it’s about conserving energy and knees. But how is this technique a good idea with runners on base?
 
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Handle

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wsdog said:
I posted on this elsewhere but in this thread I’m not questioning Winslow personally, but rather why coaches allow this technique with runners on. With bases empty it’s OK if it’s about conserving energy and knees. But how is this technique a good idea with runners on base?
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Not our best game all the way around. Pitching moves early didn’t work out, Boaz stayed in too long, ran into an into an out top 1, Matty’s command wasn’t there, Macon looked rusty, and we struggled mightily with the slider/breaking stuff. Can’t beat good teams with those types of fumbles. And GT is a far above a “good” team.

Rest up, regroup, and get ready to win 5 (or 6) at the Bosh!
 
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nutz4Dheels

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Nov 7, 2006
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wsdog said:
I posted on this elsewhere but in this thread I’m not questioning Winslow personally, but rather why coaches allow this technique with runners on. With bases empty it’s OK if it’s about conserving energy and knees. But how is this technique a good idea with runners on base?
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I think has to do more with how kids are taught to frame pitches. Sitting on your knee allows you to shift to one side without moving your entire body (like we used to do when I caught).

I think the bigger thing is this was Macon's first game catching in 3 wks due to a hand injury. He's definitely been better back there for us this year than he was today.
 
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goheels1117

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ranzino4three said:
Easier to get your thumb under the pitch at the bottom of the zone for framing purposes?
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I'm pretty sure that's the reasoning but I haven't heard it said. Easier to catch the ball with your arm moving up rather than down and having to pull it back up.

Will this continue when ABS is calling balls and strikes?
 
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nutz4Dheels

Freshman
Nov 7, 2006
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Shifting puts the left hand closer to the center of your body on an outside pitch, which is a stronger position and easier to control the mitt. If you're reaching, it's easier for the ball to move the mitt and thereby harder to frame. It's also easier to pull that low srike up because your body is lower. It may be hard to make that make sense without a visual aide.

Umps also set up based on where the catcher sets up. Most umps like to set up over the inside shoulder (closest to the batter), so if I move before he's set, he'll movr and get a better look at a ball that's just outside. If he sets then I shift, he typically won't move again.
 
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