I am standing behind a backstop speaking with a group of college coaches while a showcase game is going on. The batter hit a fly ball to deep left field that the left fielder had to make a short run to get. The fielder caught the ball and threw it back in.

One of the college coaches then remarked in an annoyed tone, “Wow, that batter didn’t even run out the fly ball”. He proceeded to look up the kids information in the packet provided by the team and made a note next to the players name.

I certainly hope that player wasn’t hoping to attend that school and play for that coach. They are certainly not on that coach’s wish list.

The moral to the story, if your aspirations are to play past high school, you truly do not know who’s watching and how you conduct yourself on the field is noticed.

We are a little over a quarter of the way through the 2009 Major League Baseball season and the story lines have certainly been plentiful. The two Big Apple franchises took major steps into the modern ballpark era, Zack Greinke had us wondering whether a pitcher’s ERA can actually dip BELOW zero, Manny was busy being A-Rod Manny and Tampa Bay hasn’t surprised anyone this season.

With just over a month remaining until the 2009 All-Star Game rosters are announced, I want to talk about what we have learned throughout the first couple months of the season and take a look at who has earned a ticket to St. Louis in July.

Click link below and see Jay’s article at the top in the Featured Writers section:

http://baseballdigest.com/

Lefty catcher, it just ain’t right.

In this article I will give my thoughts on the whole issue of left handed catchers in both baseball and softball.

First let’s look at the issue as it relates to the world of baseball where we all know “it just ain’t right”

Here are the most common reasons that it is felt lefties are a liability behind the plate on a baseball field.

1. They can not make the throw to third as effectively.

2. When they throw to 2nd they will be throwing with a right handed batter right in their face possibly distracting them.

3. Since they are throwing to 2nd from the left side of their body they have to throw slightly across their body to get the ball to the 1st base side of 2nd for the tag. This throwing across their body puts them at a disadvantage.

4. With a short stop covering 2nd the throw from a lefty will be traveling away from their glove as they approach the bag to make the catch and tag.

5. The tag play at the plate is much more difficult for a lefty with his glove on the infield side of his body and the tag taking place on the foul territory side of his body.

Here are our thoughts on these issues.

1. They can not make the throw to third as effectively.

Why? Because they have to turn to throw? Even a righty has to make some movement to get behind a right handed batter in the box. Though the mechanics are not the same, they do not have to take any longer to execute. Lefties, in fact, may actually have a slight advantage on a throw to third because they will be releasing the ball with their back turned towards the batter, unlike a righty who would be throwing into or around the batter with their arm motion. Either way, when a catcher, righty or lefty uses proper mechanics to make the throw, there really is no adverse affect either way.

2. When they throw to 2nd they will be throwing with a right handed batter right in their face possibly distracting them.

While lefties may have an advantage on a throw to third because their arm motion does avoid the batter completely, the throw to second base becomes a little bit more complicated because the majority of hitters are righties. However, if they use proper mechanics they will be no closer to the right-handed batter than a righty would be to a left-handed batter, and we don’t complain about righties having to throw with left-handed hitters in their face, do we?

3. Since they are throwing to 2nd from the left side of their body they have to throw slightly across their body to get the ball to the 1st base side of 2nd for the tag. This throwing across their body puts them at a disadvantage.

The only disadvantage to a lefty regarding the throw to second base is that the margin for error is dramatically less than a righty has. If their mechanics are not spot on, the result of flawed mechanics could result in a throw tailing towards the SS side of second base and it could cost them vital tenths of a second when the SS or the 2B is forced to reach to the opposite side of the bag to retrieve the ball and make the tag. If a righty made the same mistake, their throw would be tailing into the runner, which may not require the middle infielder to make as drastic an adjustment.

4. The tag play at the plate is much more difficult for a lefty with his glove on the infield side of his body and the tag taking place on the foul territory side of his body.

I believe this is the only play that really can cause a lefty some valid issues. If the throw comes from right field the catcher must almost turn his back on the plate to make the catch and then tag…..OK….One for the Righties!!

I do not believe that the left handed baseball catcher has the severe limitations that many say he does. We do not discourage lefties from catching or coming to our camp. We do however take the time to explain to the parents and player that there may be a time when it won’t matter how good they are behind the plate some coach will make the decision that the lefty will not catch on his team and that will be the end of it.

We do believe however that any player that spends any amount of time behind the plate will be a better player for it wherever he ends up playing. We feel that catchers get a perspective of the game that no other position provides and any player would benefit from.

SOFTBALL

Now let’s look at this topic from the perspective of fast pitch catchers.

I have college coaches contacting me asking if I have any left handed fast pitch catchers of recruiting age. They do not see any down side to the lefty.

The usual comment discussed above is the one used in the baseball world regarding the throw to 3rd. In baseball the steal of 3rd gives the base runner a significant advantage over stealing 2nd. The lead, and then the secondary lead are significantly longer. Good baseball runners will usually making it a “walking lead” as well so he is not starting from a stand still.

So when the baseball pitcher is committed to throw to the plate the lead the
base stealer may have could be 3X his lead at 1st. Since the catch-to-release time is usually a little bit more for a throw to 3rd for a lefty then a righty the lefty is perceived to be at a significant disadvantage.

The steal of 3rd in fast pitch is a completely different animal. The runner still can’t leave till the pitcher releases the ball and since they can’t take a lead the distance they run, and the elapsed time is the same as stealing 2nd.

However, the catcher has a distinct advantage since they only have to throw 60 feet rather then 85feet. Even if the lefty’s release is a bit longer then a righty, (I do not believe it has to be) the fact that the throw distance is 30% less means the lefty should not be in any significant disadvantage with a throw to 3rd..

What the college coaches also like is the pick throw to first is significantly easier for the lefty and will be used far more often then a throw to catch a steal at third.

Also, the lefty is at a significant advantage fielding balls out in front for a throw to first. They can run straight at the ball and are lined up for the throw as soon as they pick the ball up. The righty of course has to make some kind of turn.

The other complaint about lefties is in regards to the throw to 2nd. There are many comments that the lefty will always be facing right handed batters when they are throwing and that can be a distraction. Frankly I think the catchers are looking down to 2nd at that point and will not even see the batter.

So tell us your thoughts and experiences with lefties behind the plate.

We all have a great respect and love for this game because of the effect that it has had on all of our lives. Whether it is the broken heart of a lost season or the fond memories of watching your first baseball game with your father, this  magnificent game has had a hand in creating who we are today. It is times like this which remind us that this kids’ game can pull at our most delicate heartstrings and it is times like this when we all must remember that life is precious; both inside and outside the foul lines.

I am sure all of you will join me in saying that all our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, fans and the entire Angels’ organization.

…May he rest in peace.

Catchers that have good arms on the little diamond and are studs throwing that 85 feet will many times be real dissapointed when the ball hits the ground 35 feet past the pitchers, but still 32 feet short of 2nd.

Let the 13 yr old catchers know it’s ok for it to get to 2nd on a hop.  Don’t throw real high rainbow throws to try and get it to 2nd in the air. They are harder for an infielder to track. Kids trying to make the throw in the air can also many times come up with sore arms early in the season.

Don’t let them take extra steps, or crowhop the throw. They should be letting go of the ball from behind home plate.

Good quick mechanics and wait for the puberty fairy to show up.

Any questions or comments let me know.

Coach W

Jay Weaver, Senior Instructor for the New England Catching Camp will be a featured columnist for the site.  You can read Jay’s first column “Small Moves That Could Yield Big Returns in 2009” at http://baseballdigest.com/

NECC Story on Lowel Sun Online

Fast forward to the summer of 2008 where we had 90+ catchers, ages 8-18 from 25 states. Of the 90+ catchers more then 30 of them were girls from the fast pitch game.

The growth of the camp has been amazing. I have now sold my DVD in all 50 states, and more then 15 foreign countries. Key to this growth has been my website, www.catchingcamp.com. The website went online in July of 2002, and since then has gone through many changes. The site has been instrumental in getting the word out to parents and coaches all over the country that there is instruction available dedicated to training catchers.

Most of you that have been to my clinics have come to know two of my sons. Jay, my oldest has been the most visible. It was his love of the catching position 16 years ago that inspired me to take on the challenge of working with catchers. Kevin, my youngest son now a collegiate player, has also been a regular working at the summer camp.

The purpose of me writing today is to introduce you all to the person behind my wonderful website. The man responsible for creating the first impression most people have of the New England Catching Camp, my middle son Josh.

Josh Weaver

Josh took on the task of redesigning my site in 2003 while he was still in high school. He knew I wanted a professional looking site that would speak to my educator’s side more then my coach side. I could not have been more pleased with the results. Over the years the site has grown and changed as Josh grew in his own skills as a web developer. In the fall of 2007 he graduated from college with a degree in Computer Science  and now works as a web developer with a firm here in New Hampshire.

As Josh’s skills as a designer have grown so has the site. His work has continued to enhance the site and this fall the move to a new server has allowed us to have this Blog, and will allow for greater flexibility in presenting instruction to coaches and players.

It is exciting to know that when a parent goes to Google and puts in the search words “catching camp” and hits “Enter”, and then looks at the top search results they will see our website first.  I can thank Josh’s skills for that. Then when they click on the link I also know that they will get a great first impression of what we are all about at the New England Catching Camp.

It is an awesome thing as a father to be able to work so closely with his grown sons on something we all care so much about. It is truly a pleasure for me to finally share with all of you The Man Behind the Site…..my son Josh.

While skills videos are important for both baseball and softball players of all postions I believe many catchers are ending up with videos that do not contain all of the footage that will help peak a college coach’s interest. It is important to remember that catchers have a nuimber of skills they execute that no other player does. Lets be sure to include the skills that college coaches will want to see.

Here is how I like the skills video to be presented.

1. Introduction

a. Have the camera film you from waist up.

b. Be wearing your school or travel team uniform.

c. Have your uniform neat and clean, NO Gum CHEWING, (yes I have seen it)

d. Speak clearly and slowing stating your name, Indicate what high school you are attending, (tell them school name, city and state) and what year you will be graduating.

I like to have your defensive skills shown first. I want this coach to see you as a catcher first and foremost. After the defensive skills are shown then highlight your hitting, running, and any other defensive position you play.

2. Receiving

a. Begin this sequence setting up in your sign giving stance, give the sign then shift into your no-runners on stance.

b. Receive 6 pitches, 2 glove side, 2 down middle, and 2 to the throwing side.

3. Blocking

a. This is a skill that can really get a coaches attention. A catcher that controls the ball in the dirt and does not let it get away from them will definitely catch a coaches eye.

b. Have a total of 6 pitches thrown to you. Again, 2 middle, 2 to the left, 2 to the right.

c. On the 2nd block of each location be sure to finish the play as if a base runner is advancing. Show your ability to block, control the ball, and make a good throw to a base. The camera does not have to follow the throw.

4. Throwing

a. Throw to 2nd: Show 4 good throws with different pitch location on each one. Be careful not to crowd the plate so be sure to set up as if there is a batter in the box.

b. Throw to 3rd: I like this filmed with a right handed batter in the box to show that you know how to make the throw around the batter. Show the best 3 throws.

c. Throw to 1st: For softball catchers, if you can make this throw from your knees as well as standing, make 2 throws with each technique. If you only throw standing then show 3 best throws. Baseball catchers should only make this throw standing.

5. Fielding Bunts

a. Have a coach set up behind you and toss balls out in front for you to field. Be sure the balls are thrown to all 3 locations. To your left, right, and up the middle. Demonstrate 2 of each.

As I stated earlier at this time in the video now proceed to the other skills you want to showcase on your video. If you have any other questions related to recruiting videos feel free to send them to me.