How to Snap Throw to First Base as a Catcher
The snap throw is a catcher’s weapon. By the implications of the name, it’s saying that at any time, you could just wind up and flick one over to first base and catch the runner napping. It’s a nice tool and something that every good catcher must have the ability to do well. It might not get used too often, and will only get you an impromptu out very rarely, but its effect is almost intangible. Here is how to snap throw to first base as a baseball catcher.
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Instructions
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Snap Throw to First Base
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Be able to make a hard throw.A snap throw occurs after a pitch with a runner on first base and the only chance you have of getting someone out is if your throw is quick, accurate and resembles a laser beam.The throw must be a complete rocket. A snap throw is never lobbed down to first base like some flimsy pick-off move might be. It is a bullet toss over to catch a runner sleeping. So make it get there fast and hard.
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Make an accurate throw.It’s more important to make your throw accurate than it is to make it hard. If the throw is off-line, or short-hops your teammate, you can all but forget about the effectiveness of the throw and of your move in general.In an ideal world, the ball would land about knee high on the fair side of first base so that a tag can be quickly applied to the sliding runner. That being said though, if you can be sure to make the throw directly at the first baseman, that should be just fine.So though the snap throw is quick and fast, you must be sure you are taking the appropriate time to grip the ball and make a good, hard throw that will be wind up where it should.
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Get your body in position.There are a few ways to do this, depending on your skill level.At the minimum, when you catch the pitch you should hop up (kid of like throwing a runner out at second), but obviously towards first base. If the batter is a lefty, no problem. But if it’s a righty, you should position your body so that you are making the throw from behind them. This will keep them out of the way and allow you to make as fast a throw as possible. Remember to step into your throw – so step towards first base as you toss the ball.If you are more advanced, and have the arm strength, it would be best to not have to get to your feet to make the throw. If you have the ability to just turn your chest, cock back your arm and fire the ball accurately, then by all means, do that instead. Just make sure you aren’t substituting accuracy or arm strength for that added fraction of quickness.
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Tips & Warnings
Use the pitch to guide you. It’s going to be nearly impossible to make a good snap throw when the ball is pitched way on the third base side of the plate. But if the pitch leads your body toward first base naturally, that is a great time to use your momentum to step into a snap throw.
If the batter bunts through a pitch (meaning they try to bunt and miss) you should be looking to snap throw. This is an ideal time, because the runner on first will be looking to get a big lead and will think that the batter will make contact with their bunt attempt – so be ready.
A good snap throw, even if you it doesn’t get the runner out, let’s everyone who gets to first base thereafter (and the coach) know that you are behind the plate. Trust me, if you make a solid snap throw and it’s a close play at first, the next guy isn’t going to be leading off nearly as far.
Do not overthrow the first baseman. The snap throw is a completely extra and unnecessary move. You could go a whole season – technically – without ever doing one. So don’t force the issue and over throw your man, or else that runner will likely end up on third base because of your mistake.
Use it sparingly. It only keeps the runners close if you pick and choose your times to use it. Don’t make a habit of it. Wait for bigger moments in the game when that out can really help your pitcher of a jam.
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