Pitcher/Catcher question

Our own Catamount36 posted this question over on the HSBBWeb and I thought it was a great question ... we have some excellent coaches on our board, so I thought I'd try to get a little input over here.

 

I agree with catchers not pitching, but unless you are at a large 4A school with a lot of depth, your pitchers may also be your best infielders. I have not seen that to be a problem in our high school situation.

 

I remember Chris Hatcher doing well at both and the Greene kid at Wautaga was very good, but I wouldn't recommend it. I guess it would depend on the individual, but I know it would have killed me

 

some guys have done it but it is not recommended. Two totally different throwing motions. In the long term you will be lucky not to see shoulder problems. Remember...........every pitch the pitcher throws the catcher has to throw back. I've seen guys catch a pitcher who throws 120 pitches in a game and then turn around and throw 80-100 pitches off the mound within 48 hours. I just don't see anything positive with that. JMO.

 

I agree with what everyone else has said so far. There is obviously an ethical question but, for this post, I'll stick with the strategic aspect. I'm sure few coaches believe it is a good thing for their catcher to also be one of their top pitchers. Most hs catchers in good shape can come out and get it done on the mound periodically and I'm sure there are many examples of this across the state; but as already stated by ballplaya22, the throwing motions are totally different. As a catcher, you're accustomed to the short arm action and many take that to the mound with them often resulting in a flat pitch or a sore arm, or both.

But to address the original question from a different angle.... I'm assuming the only catchers who are asked to also pitch on a regular basis are those who are exceptionally good pitchers. Mudcat mentioned some aren't blessed with enough pitching not to pitch a catcher with a good arm. So you could also ask, if the catcher is that good of a pitcher, is it smart to let one of your best pitchers catch?? As a coach, I would at least attempt to work with my #2 catcher so the #1 could be used more on the mound without the fear of injury. If you don't have a quality #2 catcher then you're risking your best catcher and one of your best pitchers all at once. But some may not have another quality catcher so you are just stuck and must make the tough call. Just another one of those "easy" coach's decisions.

 

I am no Coach, but I have thought about this question over and over.

Some guys are exceptions, so it does depend on the individual even though I do not think it is a good idea. Chris Hatcher has done very well with it, and I believe Zack Booker is on the college level (also at UNCW) doing both. Some guys are able to do it, but I don't think it is in best interest for the player/team. That comes down to the Coach at each school and the player.

Landon Powell was also a very good pitcher in high school. Lots of guys can do it, but the ones who are able to maintain the ability over time are pretty much just amazingly lucky to not fall into the dooms of arm injury. That sounds pretty harsh and pessimistic, but if a guy is ABLE to do it... let him, just be extremely careful with him.

I will say that pitching and catching in the same game shouldn't be allowed, that is too much stress in one day on anyone's arm. But then again, it all comes down to the player.

 

I don't understand...why would it be so hard for a catcher to pitch? I'd think he'd welcome the relief from having to spend so much time squatting.

 

Here's an example for you:

Micheal Bogaert, Ashbrook senior, catches and pitches for the On Deck O's. I believe Mike's "rotation" on a tournament weekend is to catch the first game, DH or play 1st the second, pitch the 3rd. You fellows who are around the program may have other observations. As a result, Mike has colleges looking at him as a "catcher/hitter" and others as a "pitcher only".

Last year at Ashbrook Mike played 3rd because Steve Klenovic (Limestone) was behind the plate. This year the coaches will have to decide whether to have Mike catch or use someone moving up from the JV team. However, Mike will be one of the three main pitchers for the Greenwave and the number one righty. Whether or not Mike can pitch once a week after catching one or two games remains to be seen. Unless the coaching staff leaves Mike at 3rd or moves him to 1st.

 

i personally feel that if you are catching and pitching you are at a much greater risk for arm injury. #1 the different throwing motions as most of you mentioned. #2 tired legs means throwing with all arm.

middle infield and pitching- will most agree that IF it is poissible to avoid it, then it is beneficial?? to keep continuity in the middle?? am i overestimating the need for this ????

 

Concerning middle infield and pitching ... I wouldn't hesitate to let a SS/2B pitch if you have a reasonably competent backup at that position. You see very few true shortstops in HS so the odds are your competitor is in the same situation.

I don't like seeing someone pull the pitcher from the mound in the 6th inning and placing him at SS because the SS is trying to close. I'm more concerned for the Pitcher with the probably tired arm injuring himself than the SS throwing a couple innings.

The Catcher/Pitcher deal is a big concern to me. Yes, you can spread out and catch with a player on tuesday and have him pitch on friday ... but during that tuesday's game, you're running a risk of a broken finger on his pitching hand .... It's a tough job back there ... you should probably do one or the other, not both during the season.