How To Play Catcher In Baseball

Step 1: Set Up

You want to position yourself as close to home plate as you can without being clocked by the bat. Then you'll be in excellent position to handle wild pitches or to collect bunts. Your first stance will be a set-up stance to flash your signals to the pitcher. Squat with your weight evenly distributed on the balls of your feet.

Step 2: Flashing Signs

You want to make sure that when you flash your signs you are not tipping your cap to the opposing team…and believe me they'll be trying to read you and your pitcher like a book. You can do this pointing your right knee at the pitcher and holding your mit by your left knee. The standard signs are 1 finger for fastball, 2 fingers for curve ball, 3 fingers for a changeup, and 4 for a slider or your pitcher's favorite pitch.

Step 3: Squatter's Rights

Once you get your signals straight with your pitcher, you'll need to drop yourself into a squat. Place one foot just barely in front of the other, so that you can keep your weight evenly balanced. Shift your weight towards the balls of your feet, open your mitt, and get ready. Try to center your mitt to your body. That way your pitcher has a clear and concise target.

Step 4: Ready,Set,Catch!

You're going to want to catch the ball inside the strike zone, so be careful not to let the momentum of the ball carry it and transform a strike into a ball. But you're pitcher isn't going to always throw strikes so make sure to keep the ball in front of you.