I've been wanting to post this for some time but...

We work a lot with our catchers on various skills. The other day, one poster stated that he wanted his catcher to catch a ball throwing side of center on throws to second. We posted a response. This got me to thinking about a conversation I had with a Major League catcher at a camp I did for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He does something that many don't notice and I asked him about it. He was caught off guard. When calling location, this catcher signals to the infielders pitch location by putting his finger in a slot in the face mask. Each slot has a different meaning. How many coaches use the face mask as a tool to signal different plays or pitch locations?

Our coaches do it--it goes so unnoticed it is silly but now everyone will be on to it

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
Our coaches do it--it goes so unnoticed it is silly but now everyone will be on to it

I decided to install a "wipe-off" for ours. Generally, we have a backup system that is also so simple that it never gets noticed. OR AT LEAST I THINK IT DOESN'T. LOL!

Coach

We keep talking about it and they will begin to watch and notice

We have used variations of the mask, chest protector, or shin guards. Again as stated in previous posts, be sure your kids are prepared and capable of handling this. Any signalng that can give your team a small advantage, will prove to add up in the win column. Great stuff guys.

Coachric

shouldn't your middle infielders see the catchers signals, and your other fielders key off of them?

also, does an alert batter see the subtle shifts that the defense makes? do you tell your hitters to look for it?

goMo, most of this signaling takes place right after the pitcher has received his sign and is beginning his windup. No one is standing around for long and the infielders are adjusting as the pitcher is going into his delivery. I haven't met a hitter yet that can concentrate on both. The hitter better be looking for the arm slot or in that general area. Even if he did pick up something, what would he do? If its a good pitch and he lays off, its a strike. Bad pitch, maybe he takes. Its all in the preparation, and thats done before every pitch. Remember that the question or comment was about signaling between defensive players.

Coachric

Here's one of ours. When a runner reaches 2B, the catcher and pitcher are both looking at the SS who touches 1 of 3 spots on his glove arm. This indicates to both the pitcher and catcher which sign will be live 1,2,3,. He can change it every batter without the catcher having to go out to the mound. This makes it very difficult for the runner on 2B to relay pitches to the hitter.

Coach Merc, this is good stuff and I recommend coaches use something simlar when playing at a competitive level, we have for many years.

There is an interesting article in the most recent issue of Collegiate Baseball Magazine. It talks about using Quarterback Wrist Bands with pitch calls on them. These bands can be worn by the catcher, infielders, etc. The coaches call out numbers and the players look at the wrist bands to get the call. It is a system that is very easy and also can't be stolen by the opponent.

I posted this above but will add it here. Catchers calling pickoffs.

Posted January 22, 2006 11:04 PM
OK here we go with the catchers. Our catchers will relay any pick off to the players after a verbal call from the dugout. One example will be the pickoff at 2B. The call is relayed to the catcher who gives a sign to the pitcher and infielders. Similar to the day light play, the pitcher never really looks at the runner (give the impression that he's not paying attention to him), he watches the catcher who from the target position, drops his glove in a downward motion when the SS breaks. This is the sign for the pitcher to turn and throw. This works at 1B with the first baseman playing behind the runner and breaking to the bag as well.