Pitchers knowing their spots

[GA42sDad]

At what age should a pitcher know how to throw to a spot without the catcher showing that spot to early? Hope this makes sense.

 

[riseball]

At what age should a pitcher know how to throw to a spot without the catcher showing that spot to early? Hope this makes sense.

Of course it is never too early, the sooner the better as it requires a higher level of skill. This is an especially useful skill for a pitcher when they get stuck with a less than competent catcher. But if they are not hitting their spots better than 50% of the time it is a moot point since more often than not the ball will not end up at the intended spot. IME it will not become a factor until they are playing at an elite 16U/18U/College level. The vast majority of hitters do not get a significant advantage by knowing where the pitch will be thrown. And even then it is dependent on the pitcher demonstring a high level of of consistency. I have to laugh when I see runners in a HS game signaling the location to the hitter when facing a pitcher that can rarely throw a strike. Often it seems counter productive.

 

[James Smith]

DD is not the fastest P in the world and she would like the C to stay in a neutral position until after she releases the ball. She will aim at their left chin guard or something, the mitt stays in the middle of the strike zone.

 

[GA42sDad]

Dd's team is a 14u for a top organization. Her catching instructior and the coach she had last year and is a college coach bow told her to set up as late as possible. She is the starting catcher for her team.

 

[riseball]

Dd's team is a 14u for a top organization. Her catching instructior and the coach she had last year and is a college coach bow told her to set up as late as possible. She is the starting catcher for her team.

That is all fine and good. But what is your objective as a catcher? Is it to execute your mechanics 100% as instructed or do what is necessary to make your pitcher successful?

 

[riseball]

DD is not the fastest P in the world and she would like the C to stay in a neutral position until after she releases the ball. She will aim at their left chin guard or something, the mitt stays in the middle of the strike zone.

So with every pitch the catcher must move her glove laterally to receive and frame the pitch? Not quite seeing the value there.

 

[GA42sDad]

But majority of our pitchers don't want to see the location, because they are taught thrombosis at shin guatdir shoulder.

 

[riseball]

But majority of our pitchers don't want to see the location, because they are taught thrombosis at shin guatdir shoulder.

Kind of lost me there. How are blood clots (thrombosis) relevant?

 

[wichita]

Kind of lost me there. How are blood clots (thrombosis) relevant?

hmmm.... aiming at blood clots ......never thought of that one....

 

[cuzmail]

Kind of lost me there. How are blood clots (thrombosis) relevant?

Because once diagnosed they will be on an anticoagulant therapy. Then all the pitcher needs to do is hit them in a vascularized area causing an internal bleed or pseudoanuerysm which should remove them from the game. Stratergy and tactics!