Learn How To Play Catcher In Baseball Like A Pro

Do you want to be a baseball catcher? If so then you need to work really very hard from the very beginning of your baseball career. At first, you need to learn how to play catcher in baseball and all the other responsibilities you need to play.

One of my known ones started training and within a week he felt being a catcher in baseball is not his cup of tea. He didn’t have enough patience and stopped his training.   When I got to know his situation I welcomed him to do practice with me. I trained him for a month and then he regained his confidence and now he runs his own baseball training academy. 

So from my experience, I can say, gradually by practising daily, you will get to learn how to be a better baseball catcher. Let’s take a look at several technical and motivational catching tactics in baseball.

What Qualities Do You Need For A Baseball Catcher?

You may first observe the physical attributes when considering the abilities and traits that make a baseball catcher successful. 

Before chasing for qualities you must gain some knowledge about catcher position baseball, how to be a better catcher, how to play catcher in little league baseball etc. 

A catcher’s role is kind of all-rounder. You have to be an all-rounder in many factors. Batting, baserunning, pitch framing, catching baserunners, and pitch blocking are all the skills that you must master. 

Each of the mentioned points is vital for you in catching skills, but some are more important than others. However, there are some qualities that are important for catchers in baseball. Those are given below:

Supervision

As a catcher in baseball, you must be able to observe all the circumstances. The catcher position in baseball is very important. Everyone should value the catcher position baseball. No one can achieve the catcher position baseball easily. You have to work very hard for the catcher position baseball. 

Firstly, being a catcher in baseball you will have the opportunity to give instructions to your team during the match. Sometimes the coaches of baseball even do not have this opportunity.

Catchers as one of the finest leaders possible, have to set a good example and always give their all on the field. When your other teammates will see you as a catch doing everything, others will be highly inspired to show the same effort from their own position.

Communication

Communicating with the other players on the baseball field is one of the catcher’s key responsibilities.  If you want to be a good catcher, you have to have communication skills. 

You must have the ability to communicate both verbally and nonverbally with your fellow teammates. For example, as a catcher, you must continually interact with your fellow pitchers so that you can anticipate the type of pitch the pitcher would throw next. 

Understanding Work Ethic

Catchers engage in almost every play when their team is on defence. As a result, hustling is critical for assuring the team’s success as well as pushing teammates to always give their utmost on the field. 

Quick decision making

Being a catcher, you should be quick enough to respond to every act.  Another scenario in which catchers must act quickly is when a runner attempts to steal a base. You have to judge the situation quickly and execute a quick but precise throw to get the base runner out.

How do you teach a catcher to catch?

It is not easy to explain the catching process in writing. It is more like a practising process. Nevertheless, I am trying to explain every points step by step below:

1. First, start juggling two balls.
2. Warming up with hand-eye coordination. You should gradually progress to flip it higher.
3. Catching practises with gloves on from different positions. You may practise with fingers up or fingers down. Gradually increase the distance.
4. After practising with gloves on you should practise without gloves. Gradually increase the distance.
5. Flip two balls at the same time. It will make you more focused.
6. Work on catching the ball over your head with your fingers up.
7. Practising by running first and catching the ball. It is very good if you practice running and catching both together.
8. Catch backhand and forehand both together and keep running too.
9. Then I often train my students to go to very high pop-ups. At this point, you don’t need to rush. I always make sure that the player is comfortable and confident to catch the ball from this far. I don’t hurry at this point. If you do so you may end up hitting your face or dropping the ball on the ground.
10. Running catches from both sides are also crucial techniques.

The above mentioned are some normal catching processes. There are so many different techniques. It is not easy to gather knowledge on how to play catcher in baseball in a very short time. 

You have to have patience and practice regularly. I saw some players give up very easily at a very early period of practising. It should not be done.

Is catching a baseball ball difficult?

Catcher is a position in baseball that is extremely tough to master. Your main focus should be on how to be a better baseball catcher. Moreover, you have to research more and more on how to play catcher in baseball.

You definitely heard the phrase “Practise makes a man perfect,” to be a catcher, you must practice more and more. 

Catching may be a taxing position on the body, both because of the posture baseball catchers must adopt on each pitch and because of the frequent contact, the body makes with a hard object travelling at fast speeds.

Catching high foul balls is challenging especially for catchers for several reasons. You have to notice the ball, its height, spin, wind influence, and tracking. At first, you may feel it is very difficult to catch but gradually you will get to know how to be a better catcher.

At first, catching is difficult, you have to dig deep and practise hard on how to be a better baseball catcher.

What exactly does a catcher’s job entail?

There are 3 things every catcher should know. 

Understand your pitchers

As a catcher, you should know your pitcher better than them. You should know what pitchers like to throw and what he does not. The relationship will build over time. 

Blocking and stopping the ball

There are three pillars of power of catching, such as receiving, blocking and throwing. For blocking you have to be anticipated and set up your mind. If the pitch is bouncy you have to be always ready to block it. You should keep the ball in front and catch it bravely. 

Connection

Communication is the main thing you need to do being a catcher in baseball. If you are a catcher then you are the only one on the baseball field to start a play in foul territory and examine the entire field. 

You are the point person. As a catcher you see everything being the leader. And you are the one who handles baseball the more.

The value of repetition and experience cannot be ignored in how to be a better baseball catcher. The best approach to developing a good catcher’s talents is to give them time and the player’s approach is to give enough dedication.

If you want to know more about best baseball practices and how to play catcher in baseball you can visit the following link- Best Baseball Practice Plan.

Is It Difficult To Play Catcher In Youth Baseball?

If you are a youth you may want to know how to play catcher in youth baseball. See the link below:

To be honest, playing catcher in youth baseball is no different than the older. How to play catcher in youth baseball? 

At first, you have to be very patient to learn how to play catcher in youth baseball. You need to practice more and more. 

So I hope now you can understand how to play catcher in baseball or how to play catcher in youth baseball are not difficult. You need to practice more and more.  

From the above-mentioned techniques and through practising you will get info about how to play catcher in little league baseball. Little League is a  baseball league for kids ages eight to twelve.

We have an article on running and catchers’ relation with it which may assist you to understand more about catchers in baseball. 

Why is it so difficult to be a catcher?

Below I am explaining why I believe it is a difficult job to be a catcher in baseball:

• Firstly, you will be squatting the whole time. Thus your thighs will be under pressure or get stuck.
• You have to sprint to the backstop in the hopes of catching what is sent over your head.
• Different leagues always pick the ones who are the quickest and have the stamina for the position.

Nevertheless, the level of catcher in baseball required could also be determined by the pitcher. You have to understand that no work is less important. Without hard work, you won’t be able to achieve anything. 

You have to work hard to know how to play catcher in baseball. As there are many responsibilities, so it won’t be as easy as other posts of any game.

From the above information, I hope you get enough understanding of the responsibility of a catcher in baseball. It is a big responsibility and enjoyable position in baseball.

Is it possible for everyone to be a catcher?

Catching is an exceptionally difficult position to play in baseball. 

If you’re a catcher on defence, you have a lot of responsibilities to play. The primary duty is to catch all pitches thrown by opposing pitchers.

It can inspire you that a catcher in baseball is not born. Catchers are made by training and practising. Within a day or hour, you won’t be a catcher in baseball. You need to love your post and the responsibility of a catcher in baseball.

What are the best catching positions in baseball?

There are numerous ways of catching in baseball. My favourite catching positions are highlighted below:

The squat is the main position to catch the baseball. You should try to catch something strong and soft. You may be surprised at how two different things can be done together. 

Your hand has to be strong while you will catch it softly. You are not attacking the ball, you are receiving. You should receive it softly.

See the link below for more details:

If you are young enough then your hands are also small. You should focus on your angle in this case.

What Will Happen If You Drop The Baseball?

Here the rules are weird. An uncaught third strike occurs when you drop the catch. It’s also known as a dropped third strike or an uncaught third strike. 

The batter will turn into a runner if you drop the baseball. If you are unable to catch the ball on a third strike and the first base is open then there will be two outs.

Frequently Asked Questions

In baseball, what is the most difficult position to play?

There are many arguments on it. Some say a pitcher is the most difficult one, on the other hand, some say the post of Catcher. It can’t be decided which one is the most difficult one as both play a vital role in baseball.

In baseball, what is a catcher’s job?

Basically, a catcher is known as the leader of defence while staying on the field.

What is a decent catcher’s height?

Catchers stand around 6 feet tall and weigh roughly 214 pounds on average.

In Little League, what kind of baseball is used?

Little League (Majors), Junior players use 12-inch softball.

Conclusion

Baseball is a popular sport among both beginners and pros. It’s critical to remember all the rules for a catcher. However, practising will make a professional baseball catcher. 

“How to play catcher in baseball” is a very crucial question which needs months or years to become fully successful. Without a good catcher, it is impossible to get a winning baseball team.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. I hope the information above on how to play catcher in baseball has given you a solid idea of how to do it correctly.