by Coach Griff

It’s not often you see a catcher fielding hits, but it’s always an exciting play when it happens.

Thankfully, there aren’t too many ways you’ll need to field outside of catching pitches.

There are six ways you’ll need to field as a catcher

To make it easy for pitchers, there are only ever five ways you’ll need to field.

1. Fly balls

The glove on your hand is designed for catching pitches, not fly balls.

It means you’ll need to get yourself in a comfortable body position before you make each catch, keeping the ball in front of you at all times

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH_ft8sS00M

2. Dropped third strikes

If you’re not able to catch a third strike, the runner is given a second life.

You’ll either need to:

1. Tag the hitter (now runner),
2. Make a throw to first base, or
3. Step on home plate (in the event of loaded bases and two out).

3. Bunts

Sometimes bunts are extra short… or pitchers are extra slow.

The quicker you can get out of the catchers box and onto the ball, the more time you have for the throw.