All About Baseball
Catcher Has Become the Most Influential Position
The catcher has the hardest job in baseball. A dominant and forceful pitcher is only as good as the catcher(s) he’s paired with.
In recent years, the catcher has become the most influential position in baseball. It has become more challenging and endures the highest intellectual, mental, and physical workload in the game today.
Involved in Every Aspect
Catchers are involved in every aspect of the game. They are in control of everything and have to know it all. As part of the arsenal, they not only have to know their pitchers inside and out, but they also have to know everything about opposing hitters, including which pitches they hit best, the ones they’re not as successful with, as well as the ones they can’t hit at all. Then, they must direct their pitchers on what to throw and position themselves for framing and blocking to help their pitchers be accurate while being ready to hop up to throw out any base runners.
The catcher is responsible for managing the game’s strategy and relaying communications from the dugout coaches to the rest of the infield. They also run up the first or third base lines to back up throws from infielders. And, if there’s a runner on base(s), a catcher must hold them and anticipate their actions, all while keeping track of the batter at the plate. He must make sure which infielder will need to take the throw to get an out and still be ready for a possible collision at the plate from a runner taking advantage of the ball’s placement.
Physical Conditioning has Changed
Physical conditioning programs for catchers have changed recently. A greater emphasis is now placed on unilateral strength, core stability, and stretching lunges. This is to support the vigorous demands of the position. Speed endurance has also been introduced. They now need the ability to execute quick, explosive movements and rapid transitions from receiving to throwing to blocking, and to do so throughout a full two-hour (plus!) game. They also need that extra conditioning to hold up physically, especially in late innings when fatigue and low energy begin to set in.
New Stance
Today, 95% of catchers use the modern stance. Utilized by Tony Peña when he played (1980-1997), it is a one-knee-down stance and primarily advances and improves low-pitch framing while helping reduce leg fatigue. It has become more of a standard across MLB over the past 5-10 years. The stance lowers the center of gravity, allowing for better pitch reception in the bottom of the strike zone.
Mental Aspect Changed
Even the mental aspect of catching has changed. Catchers must demonstrate the ability to instantly forget about the passed ball or a bad strike call and focus on the next pitch. The catcher is relied on more for the mental side of the game. They are now viewed as the team’s emotional support. They’re responsible for maintaining energy, building and keeping the pitcher’s confidence, and keeping that “team-first” way of thinking. They don’t have the luxury of second-guessing themselves or the play. They need to appear strong and confident throughout to keep the team invigorated.
Two-Catcher Scheme
Catcher has become the most influential position, leading many MLB teams to adopt a new two-catcher scheme. They have that balance of an offensive-minded catcher and a defensive specialist. The Arizona Diamondbacks are a good example of that. Gabriel Moreno is the offensive specialist. James McCann, who arrived last season, has shown his game-calling and defensive abilities behind the plate. He is one of the main reasons why the team turned it around in the second half. McCann was able to manage and bring together the many pitchers the team had to use due to injuries.
The Atlanta Braves also have a good balancing set. Sean Murphy, a regarded elite defensive catcher, is known for his leadership and game-calling. Drake Baldwin, who won the Rookie of the Year last season, is emerging as a top-tier offensive catcher in their organization.
Catchers are Mentors
Most teams’ catchers are the vocal leaders and mentors for the entire team. As vocal leaders, they motivate teammates. Because they are involved in every pitch, they are often viewed as the ultimate on-field leaders. In the clubhouse, they lead by example, keeping their teammates aligned on the common goal of winning and making the playoffs.
Hardest Job in the Game
The catcher has the hardest job in baseball. A dominant and forceful pitcher is only as good as the catcher(s) he’s paired with.. A good/great arsenal is made of a pitcher and a catcher who complement one another. Remember, a starting pitcher works every five days, relievers for only a handful of innings. A good catcher is playing almost every inning of every game, game after game. Even the backup catcher who gets the occasional start is playing a full nine innings.
Having the physical and mental stamina to do that takes not only physical strength but also mental strength and tenacity. A good catcher, is one who can manage both the pitching staff and the mental part of the game, is priceless to a team. Being a great catcher can be the difference between playing in the postseason and watching it.
Jim Marshall
Jim Marshall has been writing about sports for over 10 years. He started his sports career in radio, co-hosting and producing several sports-talk radio programs in Phoenix. He has covered local, college, and national sports, but specializes in MLB. His articles have appeared in several sports-reporting sites, including our own Legends On Deck. Jim is also a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA).
