This session we focused on reviewing the concept of creating rhythm and taking our feet (plant foot) directly to the ball, while attempting to keep the footwork short. It had been about 7 weeks since our last session, which showed a bit of rust in our Catchers. We will continue to keep our focus in teaching rhythm and the habits of keeping our actions quick and short to release, then long and in-line through the release point.
In general, this session saw Catchers that have worked hard with their transfers, with the various drills we work on. Quick, direct, deflective transfers have been a solid staple of our Catchers. Let’s continue to work and improve on all the fine points of throwing, that cause Catchers to be simple, efficient and accurate to our targets.
This session also highlighted our Catchers’ ability to make split-second decisions during tag plays at the plate. We have spent previous sessions focusing on our footwork and technique in fielding the ball, tagging the runner and protecting ourselves. This session our focus for tag plays focused solely on reading the flight of the ball and vocalizing the proper path of the ball that was incoming from the outfield. Our Catchers discussed aspects of anticipation such as the known arm-strength of the fielding outfielder, his fielding depth and momentum, and the path of ball flight (in terms of its lack of carry or its line).
We continue to see attentiveness from our Catchers that allows them to learn and implement the knowledge and bio-mechanics of the skills that we cover at our catching sessions. We look forward to continued work with all our Catchers, knowing that their commitment, improvement in performance speaks volumes about our growing organization.
