How to Field From the Catcher Position

Playing behind home plate isn't just giving signals and catching fastballs. Fielding a ball can turn into an adventure, especially with hitters, umpires and dugouts all in the way.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baseball glove

1. Determine whether to make a play on the ball. Catchers attempt plays if the ball is hit straight up in the air, anywhere behind home plate, or shortly along the first or third baseline.

2. Yield to the first baseman or third baseman if either fielder can make the play.

3. Throw the catcher's mask behind you as you move toward the ball.

4. Chase any ball hit toward foul territory. Try not to give up until the ball is out of play.

5. Turn your glove upward and raise both arms if you have time to settle under the ball. Use both hands to catch the ball well above your waist if time allows. Cradle the ball and pull it to your body. Check all base runners, especially if the ball is hit in fair territory.

6. If a bunt or short dribbler is hit to your right side, run to the ball, scoop it up and throw it in one smooth motion. If you're throwing to first base, throw toward the inside of the bag to avoid hitting the batter.

7. If a bunt or short dribbler is hit to your left side, you'll have to pick up the ball, make a 180-degree turn and throw to first. In short: scoop, pivot, look and throw. If you're unbalanced and have little chance of throwing the runner out, hold the ball to avoid an error.

8. Direct traffic if the pitcher, first baseman or third baseman has a better play on a ball hit in front of the plate. Point and shout for the appropriate fielder to make the play.

9. To block the plate, first catch the ball cleanly. Then straddle the plate without standing on the third baseline, and move toward the base runner while using both hands to cover the ball. Make a sure tag and brace for a collision.

10. Concentrate on holding the ball. Prepare to make a play on any trailing runners.

Tips & Warnings

• Catchers are usually right-handed fielders, especially in the big leagues.
• Make sure you have all the necessary equipment to play the position, including chest protector and catcher's helmet with mask.

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on 8/8/2006 Say that you have a runner on third and a runner on first. Well, a way to get that person out is to make a couple of adjustments on that certain play. Move the shortstop in a little toward second base, that's where the runner is trying to advance. Then have the pitcher pitch the ball in there. You don't want it to be a strike because we don't want the batter to hit it. After the pitch is thrown, the catcher jumps up and wails the ball to the shortstop who is supposed to be in front of second base. The runner on third will think that you threw it all the way to second, so the runner will advance. Then shortstop will throw the ball to the catcher to get the runner going home out. This is only put into play if the runner on first tries to advance to second and there is a runner on third too.

on 7/18/2006 When catching an outside wild pitch, you should be pushing off the ground with your foot that is farthest from the ball. Stretch your arm toward the ball and keep your eye on the ball. Make sure you time it perfectly or the ball will sail past you. And it will be harder to run to because you will be off balance and will have to get up quickly.

on 6/30/2006 What you should do is find the ball in the air, take off your mask, and because the ball spins toward the infield, you should turn your back to them. If you can catch it, you have it made.

on 6/30/2006 When a ball gets thrown into the dirt, you should drop down to your knees in front of the ball, your glove should be in between your legs touching the ground (inside facing the ball), with the other hand behind the glove. Then shrug your shoulders and touch your chin to your chest. If you do it right you should stop the ball!

on 11/22/2005 If there is a man on first and a man on third, the runner on second pretty much has a stolen base. If you (the catcher) throws down to second, the man on third can score. Here is a tested way of getting the runner on third out. Get into your runners on base position (butt up, hand behind glove). When you see the man on first take off, pop up like you are going to attempt to throw him out. Instead of throwing to second base, throw it right back to the pitcher! Be sure to throw it hard, like you are actually throwing to second. The third base coach will probably have the runner take a few steps or even try to go home. Now, depending on where the runner is, have your pitcher throw it to the according base, Example: If the runner is going home, have the pitcher throw to home plate, if he is going to try to go back, have the pitcher throw to third. The best part about this play is that if your pitcher makes a bad throw to third, the runner will be really confused, making it even simpler to throw him out should he try to go home on the bad throw.