Yea, the title is kind of odd. Why would there be a guy asking how to catch a ball that says he is a catcher? haha. No, I can catch and have been doing so for quite a while, but recently I've been undergoing serious hand pain.

Lately after about 30 or 40 pitches I'm dying of pain, my hand seems to be on fire, particularly my thumb. I can barely move my catching hand after a day of practice. It only bothers me after I catch the big hurlers, anywhere from 80-85 bothers me a little. But after catching someone throwing it circa 92 for 15 minutes, there isnt enough advil available in Alabama to help me haha.

So yeah if anyone has any tips on how to recieve the ball in a less painful fashion, please fill me in. Thanks

Step 1. See a doctor

Sounds like you have the old "catcher's thumb". By all means see a doctor and have an x-ray, mri, etc. If its tendenitis then be prepared to rest it, ice it, and tylenol it for quite some time. Also, assuming it is tendenitis and not something more serious, check the type of glove you use. Sometimes a glove with a stiff, straight thumb pad causes "jammed" thumbs or contributes to the repetitive use injury. We switched to Akadema Prayin Mantis for that reason since it has a "break" in the thumb pad. Good Luck.