Framing Pitches

The most important aspect of framing is to frame strikes and borderline pitches. Don't waste your time or the umpires by trying to frame balls that are not in the zone. Simply catch the ball and return it to the pitcher and get ready for the next pitch. By framing pitches that are not strikes, you make yourself look like a bad catcher, and may make the umpire look bad. If you make the umpire look bad, he will not be anxious to help you on a borderline pitch. One key to framing is to catch the top half, bottom half and side half of the ball. When you catch the ball, you should show the umpire the other half of the baseball.

For example, if the pitch is on the inner half of the plate, you should catch the left side of the ball (assuming a right handed batter) and show the umpire the right side of the ball. The rest is true for pitches up, down, and out. Couple that with a weight shift and you have mastered the beginning skills of framing. It is most effective if the catcher can move their body with the baseball. A catcher can sway on their ankles and move with the pitch. It is very important to beat the baseball to the spot of contact. By this I do not mean extend your hand and arm so far as to get hit by a swinging bat. Don't let the ball control you. Beat the ball to the spot and stick it. Make sure you do not hold the pitch for too long. This may upset an umpire. He may think you are showing him up by holding a frame for a long time. Keep the umpire on your side.

Also, don't allow the baseball to knock you glove around. Be firm with your frame. Your glove arm should be tension free and relaxed. It should not fully extend when the ball is caught. Trust you eyes, the ball will come to you. As it approaches, your wrist should relax. There can be a slight glove drop or turn in order to relax the hand. Do not allow your glove to fall too far. A slight wrist drop or turn is appropriate for relaxing the hand for contact.

Drills:

Catcher starts out in their stance. Coach holds a ball in front of the catcher and moves it around the strike zone. The catcher follows the path of the baseball and frames the area. The catcher should work on body movement and catching the ball in halves.

One Knee Underhand Toss:

Coach gets on one knee five to ten feet from the catcher. The coach will underhand toss a ball to the catcher. The catcher will work on body movement and catching the ball in halves. The benefit of this approach is that the coach is close enough that they can be more accurate with their toss and work all area.

Medium Toss:

Coach stands up and throws pitches to a catcher from 40-50 feet. This allows the catcher to track the ball from a longer distance. The catcher will still work on body movement and catching the ball in halves.

Catching Batting Practice and Bullpens

This is as close to a live game situation as a catcher can experience. It is very important that a catcher not go through the motions when catching batting practice or a bullpen. This must be a highly intense environment and must be taken seriously.