The Process of Finding the Best Setup For Amateur Catchers

The catching position is constantly changing in the game of baseball. Now more than ever there is a fever of exploration in the position. Catchers at all levels are challenging what they have been taught in order to unlock their potential behind the plate. Coaches are challenged with all of this new information on catching and need to make the best decisions possible for their players ,so that the risks taken are calculated and the right move for the catcher. Today we will discuss the process you can take your catchers through to find out what setup works best for each athlete behind the plate. 

It is important to note that the catchers at the amateur level don't have as much time to be as detailed as the professionals because of experience, resources, and time. Professional athletes have more experience, resources in their organization, and time to experiment and train. Whereas the amateur athlete lacks as much experience, resources, and time due to being in school or having a side job. The biggest factors in all of this for a coach is the experience of the player and the resources available to the amateur team. Since professional players have more data, time, and experience they can find a setup that is good for them when blocking is the important factor, throwing is the important factor, or receiving is the important factor. For amateur players one knee catching and pitch manipulation may be brand new to them. Therefore, at the amateur level it is important to find the best setup that will allow the catcher to receive, block, and throw out of the best. 

Mindset and Materials

There are two things coaches need to have when starting this process: 1. a video camera (a phone works) and 2. listening skills. This whole process will be based off of conversation and how the catcher feels. If we lead the player with questioning then we can help them solidify their thoughts and become convicted with their new stance or stances. 

Process

Start the process by asking the player if he is comfortable with exploring and finding the best catching setup that will allow him to receive, block, and throw out of. The catcher will then of course be interested (who wouldn't?). We start the process with having the catcher start with a knee down. The catcher can try out a right knee or a left knee down, he will come to the conclusion of what feels more comfortable. The catcher will receive multiple pitches from the coach and then a machine. After each round the coach will ask the player what he felt, why, and what he learned. This will lead the player and coach into finding out what stance works best for receiving well. 

After that, then the coach will ask the catcher to block pitches in the dirt out of the new set up (it can be one-knee, traditional primary, kickstand, hybrid, etc.). The coach will throw a random mix of pitches and also use a pitching machine to test the catcher. This will test the athlete to see if this setup will be his best set up for the athlete. If the athlete fails the test, then the coach and player can start back at square one. If the catcher blocks well out of this new setup then the player and coach can check two boxes off of the list. 

The last test in the process will be throwing. To have the best setup for the catcher he must be able to receive, block, and throw out of the setup. Again, the coach will throw pitches to the catcher and also use the machine to test out the arm of the catcher. I would suggest to have middle infielders and base runners on to have a game-like test to test out the setup. If the catcher passes this test with a pop time of two or less with strong throws then the catcher has found his best setup. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, this is an ongoing process with the catcher. This process will take time but the catcher will gain new experiences and find out more efficient ways to receive and perform in the catching position. The coach needs to be patient, listen, and have a conversation with the catcher so that the player is self aware enough that when he is in the game he can adjust and trust in this setup so that he can receive, block, and throw the best no matter what the game throws at the catcher.