Fantastic Pop Time Fanatics

[radness]

Hey Pop time fanatics ... Since i'm told there's a great catcher following on DFP, Bringing the golden question to discussion.
What would you'all consider
Fantastic #'s ?
Vs.
Average #'s ?

Goals By age or bracket.
Since talent is not limited by age bracket!





ZAP
ZAP
ZAP

 

[Fury_Mike]

First question would be how are you measuring it:

NCSA uses:
Pop time (for catchers): Start with catching arm extended and ball in the glove. Both feet should be squarely on the line behind home plate. Start stopwatch on first move, stop when the ball hits glove/net at second base. Record the three best times out of six attempts.

Others use a front toss method

 

[Rolling Hard]

THis is what I know. If catchers real pop times were as fast as their recorded pop times nobody could steal.

 

[RichK]

THis is what I know. If catchers real pop times were as fast as their recorded pop times nobody could steal.

Except MY daughter. She can get from first to second in 1.5 seconds!

 

[Jdaddy]

There’s a chart that floats around from time to time breaking down what’s considered elite, above average and so on. Haven’t seen it in a while, but I remember not agreeing 100% with it. Kind of like a bat size chart, haha!

DD was never a campaholic, she attended maybe 6-7 between freshman and junior year. Her times varied from 1.6-1.8. Even multiple stopwatch timing can vary widely. She’s had the fastest times at several of these and was always in the top three. I always thought where she finished was more important than the recorded times.

There is so much that goes in to throwing runners out in a game than being in a situation where you know your going to throw down. Pitch speed and location are probably the two biggest factors in throwing out a runner. Then how quick the catcher sees/reacts to the runner going. Something that seems to never get discussed is accuracy. A knee high throw right at the front of the bag is more important than than a 1.6 coming in chest high.

 

[radness]

Camp'aholic haahaaa like it!

Game time pop's often differ from non-game time too.

How about some #'s
Since this instructor supports and watches students play.
Specifically to see actual game presence. Here are some results to 2nd.
*These #'s not only from my students but gathered timing various catchers.

12u dottle around 2.5' 2.8' ish
Like 2.2 atleast
11yr olds

Goals by start 14u
atleast 2.0 to 2nd
Could be 12yrs old still
good place to be.
Top break that #
2.2 is getting there
2.5 not so efficient

Have top 13 yr olds at 1.85
to 2nd. Those that train with a goal.
Usually more in the 1.9's.

Talent starts throwing
1.8 in 2nd year 14's
Could be 14 or 15 yrs old

Some 14 & 15 yr olds start breaking 1.8

16yr olds like no longer than. 1.8 certainly break that # !

Like 1.7 as ultimate goal.
And of course breaking that!
1.7's Can start at 14yrs
and up 1%.
15 yr very obtainable top tier.

* Perhaps these are #'s of capabilities. Not everyone throw's these #'s.
*Have recorded slower in same age & brackets.
* Would like to see that pop time chart previously mentioned. If someone could post!!!

Enjoy

 

[Jdaddy]

I couldn’t find the chart I was speaking of online. These seem to be more realistic given the explanation. From an old Fastpitch page 2012.

 

[Jdaddy]

Gets back to my stopwatch point. Human error probably .1 sec or more times than not. While I know DD has an above average pop time, I prefer CS%, number of picks per season and fielding % when judging catchers. I’ll also throw in ability to find and catch pop ups. I want to see live game action. I know some BP hero’s that can’t hit in games. Same with catchers; rocket arms that can’t throw kids out in games. Guess I’m an eye test guy.

 

[radness]

Like that thinking there Jdaddy!

See that also.
Rocket arm but cant throw runners out.
Usually mechanics and transition are taking too long.
Can be deceiving.

Hmmm i did use the word
FANATICS....

I time myself counting
5 tenths of a second using my stopwatch. Click.....click
Very good accuracy after so many years.
Better than my texting skills
Lol !!!!!

 

[Jdaddy]

I will say I think those AVERAGE college numbers are pretty close. Ranging from D1 on down to all other levels in live games sounds pretty accurate. Now D1 better be sub 1.8. P5 even better.