I'm 14 years old. I would like to know what the average pop time for a catcher my age would be. I know your supposed to be right around 2.00 for a high school player but my guess is theres not too many 14 yearolds throwing 2.00 down to second. I just want to see where I am in the mix. Thanks

Not sure about 14 year olds but my son had a 1.93 at a Perfect Game event as a H.S.Sr. and I was told that was good.

Game POP times
As a 14 year old my son was 2.15.
As a 15 year old freshman he was 2.1 to 2.05
As a 16 year old Soph he was 2.00 to 2.05
As a 17 year old Jr he was 1.95 to 2.0
As a 18 year old Sr he was 1.91 to 1.95

He can throw in the 1.85 1.88 range in practice and between innings. But his game pops are in the 1.95 to 1.98 range.

His pop at a PG event after his freshman year in HS was 2.06 and 76 mph.
His pop at the PG national before his Jr year in HS was 1.91 and 80 mph.

I throw out these numbers just to give you an idea of how you can improve over a period of time. My sons gains in arm strength really helped him. And his quickness behind the plate really improved over the years due to alot of hard work. Good Luck

I coach a pretty solid 15U team. Last year, as 14U, my catchers were:

Catcher A - 2.07 - 2.24
Catcher B - 2.12 - 2.2

These were our game timed. Catcher B is my son and they were both timed by a friend/Braves scout. They are in line with my times throughout the year.

I believe the POP numbers from my son's 14U team were 2.25 +/- .1 The starter was 2.15-2.25 and second was 2.25-2.35.

Those are very good pop times for 14 year old players.

Coach May,

Where does your son play?

He is a freshman at UNC.

With times like that I figured he was in a respectable place. Congrats and best of luck.

I just ran a catchers camp and tryouts for a local team here in Maryland and most of the 14 and 15 year olds were throwing 2.1 - 2.3, with only a few being very accurate.
Good Luck!
Fletch

quote:

Originally posted by Coach May:
Those are very good pop times for 14 year old players.

Coach,

My catchers are pretty good. Both have a chance to start as frosh.

Results at a recent U13 tryout.

Best Pop time 2.44 at 64 mph.(13 years old, 8th grader) 160 lbs. 5'7" tall

Second best 2.53 at 58 mph (12 years old, 7th grader)
94 lbs. 5' tall

One was pretty accurate and one was not as on target.

We watched the U16 tryouts and best times were all well below 2.3. Best was right around 2.00 and accurate.

Very nice discussion and progression of pops.
16U seems time to see those change for the better.
Son has 1.95 with 75-78mph, as 16 now. Down from 2.15 as 15.
Keep up the long toss and get the accuracy and good things will follow.

POP time is certainly important, but the accuracy of the throw is WAAAYYYYYY more important than how quick it gets there.
A 1.80 6 ft high or to either side of the bag is worse than a 2.25 on the bag...

Remember, getting the runner out is the purpose- how quickly you get the ball to 2B is only part of the equation...

Ok thanks I run about anywhere from a 2.51 on stuff in the dirt to a 2.34 on a good pitch, mostly hiting low 2.4ish accuratly. So I guess it looks like I'm a little bit high. I have a friend that I play long toss with after school and I try to do Throwers 10 every other day. Hopefully by the end of Freshman year I can hit 2.1 Thats my goal.

Well get your self a stop watch and if you have a recordable dvr on your tv, time the pro's when they steal.

Best time was 1.9 - 2.0 secs that I timed which surprized me (i thought it would be faster) but what interested me was a segment about pitchers and there times should be about 1.2-1.5 during there pitching release. Add that up and figure how fast it takes a base runner to run to second or third and you will see it takes more than pop time to get a runner out.


drill

If you have a dvr you don't need a stop watch. Just play it back in frame by frame and count the frames. If it is digital, 60 frames per second. If not, then 30.

I've done this for countless MLB throw downs, and they are all right around 2.0.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
If you have a dvr you don't need a stop watch. Just play it back in frame by frame and count the frames. If it is digital, 60 frames per second. If not, then 30.

I've done this for countless MLB throw downs, and they are all right around 2.0.

happy to know that I can count frames on the dvr, now i will really drive my wife crazy.


drill

just remember all we can do is get it and get rid of it. I know plenty of guys that were 2.0 guys or more and still made it to the big leagues. Ha one is in the world series!

And if don't throw someone out its never our fault.... Its the non athletes fault (pitchers)

catchaprospect, you're right, many guys 2.0 or higher do make it to the show, however, those guys aren't there for their catch and throw abilities. Mike Piazza was awful throwing the ball and must have been around a 2.2 on a good day and we all know he'll be a first ballot HOF inductee.
As amateur level catchers, we should focus first on our receiving and handling pitchers along with our defense (blocking, etc) and throwing.
Most of those guys you mention that made it to the show and don't throw particularly well- WEREN'T AMATEUR CATCHERS- they were converted shortstops or 3B etc.