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1. Intelligent

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    A. Understands pitching techniques, as well as any pitcher.
        1) Able to spot mechanical problems when pitcher is inconsistent
        2) Able to discern when a pitcher is tired.
    B. Understands hitting
        1) Watches the placement of batters hands, foot position in batter’s box.
        2) Is the batter nervous, impatient, or overly aggressive?
        3) What do you read in the batters eyes?
        4) Knows what pitches to call, and when to call them.
    C. Understands the “entire” game.
        1) Catcher controls direction of all plays
        2) Catcher calls all of the pitches.
            a. See “1. B.” above
            b. You look bad when a pitcher shakes you off.
            c. If a pitcher shakes you off, call time out to find out why?

2. Personable

    A. Knows how to deal with umpires
        1) Never embarrasses the umpire.
        2) Knows how & when to talk to an umpire
        3) She and the home plate umpire always become great friends.
    B. Knows how to deal with pitchers.
        1) Encourages, when necessary.
        2) Motivates, when necessary.
        3) Can relax the pitcher with a joke, when necessary.
        4) Kicks in the behind, without embarrassing the pitcher, if necessary.

3. Decisive

    A. There can be no doubt where the pitch should be thrown.
    B. There can be no doubt which pitch is to be thrown.
    C. There can be no doubt when “directing traffic“.
          1) The entire field is in front of you.
          2) Catcher yells out who should be catching the ball (Instant ball is hit).
          3) It is your responsibility to tell the infielders where to throw the ball.
          4) Relay plays are called within 2 seconds of the ball being hit.
               a.. Don't stop calling the direction.
               b. The infielders will make adjustments accordingly.

4. The teams "Field General"

A. Willing to block the plate with her body, if needed.
B. Hardest working player on the field (both practice and game).

5. Strong arm, with a quick release.

    A. Accurately throws to second in under 2 seconds from when a pitch is caught.
    B. Throws, back to the pitcher, are crisp & at the "glove side" shoulder.
        1) This keeps the pitcher alert.
        2) Pitchers work hard enough without jumping for throws during a game.

6. Quick reflexes, Agile

    A. Blocks bad pitches with her body, and not just the glove.
    B. Can field a bunt.
        1) Anything, that you can get to, should be yours!
        2) See   3. C. A) above

If you want to try out for our team contact me.

Here is what I'm looking for in a Pitcher !

Catcher Drills

1. Wearing your catcher's mask, get into your normal stance. Put your head down and look at the ground. Have someone throw a ball up into the air and yell to you, "ball!" While lifting your head, remove the mask and hold it in your hand until you find the ball. Once you find the ball, toss the mask in the opposite direction of where you will run to catch the ball.

2. Place 10 to 20 balls along the backstop. Have a pitcher on the mound. With your mask on, get into your catcher's stance. When ready, the pitcher yells "ball!" Sprint to a ball. While running, place your thumb under the mask, at the chin, and flip it up. Let it slide down your back as you continue to run to the ball. Upon retrieval of the ball, practice both your underhand toss and backhand toss to the pitcher, who is sprinting to home plate. One important item, open your body in the direction that you are running. In other words, don't turn left to get a ball that is on your right hand side and vise versa. Also, don't stand up before you throw. Stay low, back parallel to the ground.

3. Again, wearing your mask get into your catcher's stance. Have another person drop a tennis ball in front of you. Sprint to the ball. Take the mask off of your head by placing your thumb under the mask at the chin and flipping it over your head. Get to the tennis ball before it hits the ground a second time.

A variation of this drill is to use a softball and actually make throws to each of the bases. Circle around the balls bunted to the left. Remember to crow hop / set your feet for a perfect throw. You can practice snap side arm or underhand throws, also. Remember, If at all possible, avoid the underhand or side arm throw, as your ball will have a tendency to tail. Whenever possible, throw the ball overhand.

4. Practice getting the ball out of your glove quickly by simply tossing the ball into the air, catching it and bringing the ball to your ear. By the time that your hand is at your ear, the ball should be correctly positioned with in you hand. Do you know the correct grip?

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