Find A Baseball Training Program That Helps Catchers
Posted on: 15 July 2021
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If the baseball coach has just informed your child that they'll be playing catcher for the team, this can be an exciting opportunity. Your child may also feel a little nervous about this change, especially if they don't have any experience playing this position. A catcher is involved in the game in a number of ways, and your child will want to be an asset to their team. If you want to help your child excel, you can find a local baseball training center that has programs specifically for catchers. Your child will learn the fundamentals of playing this position, which will include the following areas of focus.
Blocking The Ball
Most of the time, your child will be able to catch the ball that their pitcher throws. There will be times, however, that your child will need to block the ball. Catchers must learn how to effectively block balls that bounce in the dirt around home plate and are difficult to catch. If the ball rolls past the catcher, baserunners have the ability to advance. A training program will teach your child how to quickly drop down and attempt to block the ball with their chest protector or other gear and keep it in front of them so that they can pick the ball up immediately.
Throwing To The Bases
A catcher who is skilled at throwing out would-be base stealers is a major asset to their team. When your child works with instructors at the baseball academy, they'll learn a lot of things about throwing out runners on the bases. For instance, they'll learn to look for signs that a runner might be planning to steal a base, how to quickly get their body from a squatted position into a throwing position, and how to transfer the ball from their glove to their throwing hand in one fluid motion.
Framing Pitches
In baseball, the term "framing a pitch" refers to when the catcher catches the baseball and quickly positions their glove to bring the ball closer to the strike zone. For example, if the catcher catches the baseball on the edge of the strike zone and isn't sure whether the umpire will call a ball or a strike, they can make a slight movement of their glove to bring the baseball into the strike zone. This may compel the umpire to call a strike, which helps the catcher's team. This skill is critical for any catcher, and your child will learn how to develop it at a training center.
Contact a baseball training academy to learn more.