Catching question???????

I need everyone's thoughts on catchers throwing off their helmet during games. This can be for pop-ups or plays at the plate. I've been told both. What do you think is the best way?

 

Alot easier to see those balls popped up without that mask.

 

As a 3B coach, I hope.....

....that the Catcher will sling that cotten pickin' daggone helmet WAY out of her way to go CATCH that foul ball! And when she ventures away from the plate to get that mask, my runner at 3B, has tagged up and running home! LOL But yep, many DDs love to be in that type of situation. Thats the game within the game, and using it to your advantage! I HANDS DOWN THINK THAT IT IS TO THE CATCHERS ADVANTAGE TO SHED THE HELMET!.....AND I'll look forward to any post that can change my mind on this one!

 

It Depends:

This is one of the topics that make coaching softball interesting. First, do not compare the situations to what you see in baseball. The speed of the plays and timing is different. Reaction time on pop ups and bunts needs to be quicker in softball.
I always say it depends on the situation, equipment and catcher:
1) The style of the mask can determine how easy it is to take the mask off. Some come off easy and others take an act of congress. Pay attention to the equipment the catcher is using.
2) The type of foul ball. Most do not get up in time for any extra movement. I had a catcher that was taught to throw the mask always, but she seldom caught pop ups. Once we got her to keep the mask on, she became very effective at catching pop ups. The extra motion of throwing the mask off took to much time and effort for her.
3) Plays, from the outfield, I like to see the mask off and against the fence. I like the full vision if possible. If you get rid of the mask do not leave it near your feet. Also do not look were the umpire is before you throw the mask. I have seen to many good catcher do that and lose track of the play. Good umpires know it is coming and get out of the way, slow ones get hit.
4) Quick plays with balls hit in the infield; you may not have time to remove the mask. First objective, catch the ball, second tag the runner or if a force play make a quick pivot and turn two. This depends on the skills and speed of the catcher.
5) Bunts never. I want my catcher to be quick and focus on getting the ball and making a strong throw. I want the lead runner if possible. Any extra motion can slow a catcher down and some are slow enough already.

There is no clear-cut answer, which makes this an interesting topic. I have found that several college coaches disagree on this topic, but it normally comes back to how the catcher can have the most success. With this, a lot depends on the situation, the skill and speed of the catcher. There are a lot of situations that occur during a game. You have to work on this in practice for your catcher to get a good feel on what she can and cannot do. Do not expect greatness if you have not prepared. You have to simulate live situations at game speed. It is also important to teach the proper fundamentals of catching. So many coaches let catcher learn on their own. That is a mistake knowing that they probably handle the most plays (pitches, bunts, plays at the plate, blocking balls, steals, etc.) in a game. Coach for success in practice and enjoy the results at the game.

 

Great post Pirates1. With the advances of the catcher's mask and the almost custom fitting I prefer them to keep it on unless they have a lot of time to take it off. Throws from the outfield would be a good example of a time when taking it off would be the preferred way for me. On just about any other situation I prefer them to keep it on if it fits good and doesn't move around on their head/face during movement. Now, before the days of the hockey mask style it was probably better to take the older style off every chance you got.

 

Just My Thoughts...

I am a catcher myself and I throw my helmet off everytime the ball is hit...Even if it's a foul ball...I can see better with my helmet off and I have a better gauge on distance...But I also think a catcher should do whatevers comfortable for them...

 

Exactly!!!!!!!!

pirates1 nailed it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Just came from LR catcher's camp

We just got back from Sheena Hollar's Lenoir Rhyne pitcher/catcher camp and I asked ALL of the college team catchers along with Coach Hollar and Coach Perry what their thoughts were on the matter. They all echoed what pirates1 said to a T. It is all situational and depends on the style of catcher you have vs situation vs speed, etc. Thanks for the input. Hopefully we won't have too many coaches complaining about it either way.

 

Bottom line...things are constantly changing in this game due to the equipment and the athletes getting better. This is what seperates travel ball coaches from most high school coaches...the tb coaches tend to stay up to date with what is being taught because they attend clinics with their players/daughters. Not saying that high school coaches do not, but I would say that percentage is lower than tb coaches. It is getting better and more and more high school coaches are attempting to learn more. BTW..I am not attempting to degrade high school coaches in any way. There are some great ones out there and that number is growing.

 

I have to agree

I met some TBR folks at the camps today, LadyHeartbreaker, Ghostrider, and others I know but do not know their screenname. Hats off to the Dirt Dobbers 10u coaches being there with a couple girls. Also, Saint Stephens had a good showing along with South Caldwell and AC Reynolds. It was great to meet everyone!