Move the ball, don’t let the ball move you. The mechanics of different players will look different!
The best catchers all accomplish the same thing, they control the ball. When the ball hits their glove, the force of the ball does not pull their glove away from the strike zone, but instead, is caught with force towards the strike zone. The best control the ball with fluidity, consistency, and all around the strike zone.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Controlling the ball well can win HUNDREDS of strike calls over the course of a season....
Here is an example...
Last inning. One run lead. FIRST PITCH FASTBALL RIGHT OFF THE CORNER...
The catcher controls the ball back towards the plate with a strong arm and fluidity. The glove rings out the clean ‘pop’ of leather and the umpire growls a strike call. The pitcher gets the ball back and he’s now ahead of the count. The batter down 0-1, becomes defensive, then swings at a curveball on the next pitch. The batter hits a weak ground ball, walks back frustrated. The next batter steps to the plate with no one on base, the pitcher toes the rubber with momentum.
The catcher squats, humbly shifting the game one borderline strike at a time.
All. Game. Long.
Over the course of a game, tournament, and season catchers that CONTROL THE BALL well are priceless to a coach who wants to win baseball games.
At all levels good receiving is vital.
WHAT IF THE CATCHER DOES NOT CONTROL THE BALL WELL?
It’s not about tricking the umpire. It’s not that good catchers completely fool umpires. Umpires are still perfectly aware they are calling close pitches...
It’s about creating comfort around the strike zone. If the catcher does not control the ball well, the umpire is NOT comfortable calling borderline strikes.
If the catcher does not control the ball well, the pitcher is NOT comfortable with a smaller strike zone and well executed pitches go to waste.
IF THE BALL CONTROLS THE CATCHER...
● The umpire has no choice but to call borderline pitches, “balls.”
● Pitchers become frustrated as they must pitch behind in the count and have less room for error.
● Hitters enjoy the benefits of a tighter strike zone and more opportunities to do damage
Learn how to control the ball all around the zone with the STRONGHOLD PRACTICE GUIDE