Good article on the art of framing. Very few high school catchers can frame pitches. It takes a lot of practice.

 

5 Mistakes of Framing Pitches ? Upgraded Slugger

Good article on the art of framing. Very few high school catchers can frame pitches. It takes a lot of practice.

 

5 Mistakes of Framing Pitches ? Upgraded Slugger

 

Great subject for discussion. Proper framing technique is often overlooked or taught incorrectly.

A big part of framing is giving the umpire a good view. In your opinion how tall is too tall for a catcher?

Great subject for discussion. Proper framing technique is often overlooked or taught incorrectly.

A big part of framing is giving the umpire a good view. In your opinion how tall is too tall for a catcher?

 

It's a combo of height and how wide they get i.e. how low they can get with their body. A local school has a really big, strong, wide catcher and some pitches are hard to see when he's behind the plate. I've worked with catchers probably as tall as 6'3 or 6'4. Most are lean so it's not too bad.

 

Kids need to be taught that framing is not moving the ball back to the strike zone. I try to explain that to them. I tell them "if you're moving it you're telling me it wasn't a strike." But that's what they think framing is.

 

Some schools teach it well.

It's a combo of height and how wide they get i.e. how low they can get with their body. A local school has a really big, strong, wide catcher and some pitches are hard to see when he's behind the plate. I've worked with catchers probably as tall as 6'3 or 6'4. Most are lean so it's not too bad.

 

Kids need to be taught that framing is not moving the ball back to the strike zone. I try to explain that to them. I tell them "if you're moving it you're telling me it wasn't a strike." But that's what they think framing is.

 

Some schools teach it well.

 

Thanks for your answer. I thought you would say in the 6'3 to 6'4 range. I have been given that same answer by a few other people also.

It's a combo of height and how wide they get i.e. how low they can get with their body. A local school has a really big, strong, wide catcher and some pitches are hard to see when he's behind the plate. I've worked with catchers probably as tall as 6'3 or 6'4. Most are lean so it's not too bad.

 

 

Kids need to be taught that framing is not moving the ball back to the strike zone. I try to explain that to them. I tell them "if you're moving it you're telling me it wasn't a strike." But that's what they think framing is.

 

Some schools teach it well.

 

Great topic, Clyde. You are right I still see a lot of High School catchers pulling pitches and believe they are doing the right thing. Back when I caught an ump would tap you on the helmet as to say, "stop doing that". Do umpires say anything to the kids or do they just ignore the movement?

Great topic' date=' Clyde. You are right I still see a lot of High School catchers pulling pitches and believe they are doing the right thing. Back when I caught an ump would tap you on the helmet as to say, "stop doing that". Do umpires say anything to the kids or do they just ignore the movement?[/quote']

 

I mention it. I assume many do.

I was a catcher and like to think I got pretty good at framing pitches.

 

Any time I saw a guy pull a ball back towards the plate, I would just shake my head. As Clyde already touched on, that's telling the ump that even you don't think it was a strike.

I've seen a lot of good catchers over the years but one of the best I've seen recently at framing and stealing pitches was the Roederscheimer kid that graduated from Boone County last year. Really smart catcher. I think he's playing somewhere in college but can't remember where. Anybody know where he's at?

IMO nobody in baseball better at it right now than Ryan Hanigan.

IMO nobody in baseball better at it right now than Ryan Hanigan.

 

Solid catcher. Where is he playing this year. Also, big void... who will catch for the birds?

Good video using exaggeration to make a point. If you coach youth ball and your catcher considers this framing he is hurting his pitcher and he is not learning how to start to frame.

 

 

Good video using exaggeration to make a point. If you coach youth ball and your catcher considers this framing he is hurting his pitcher and he is not learning how to start to frame.

 

 

 

A few good points....especially the points about not framing every pitch and holding the catch for extended time. They were two bad habits I developed in high school that my college coach broke me of very quickly.

I would agree Blake Roderscheimer (sp) was a very good catcher. Current High school catcher Max Sims (Conner)would be at the top of my list for catchers with great mechanics. He is a big kid with a nice bat.

My son is a JR to be at Ryle and catches...he learned from one of the best IMO, Jason Frilling (Walton Verona/Georgetown College), it's all about the turn of the wrist when receiving a pitch vs. moving the glove...also important is the slight movement of the body vs the glove...small side to side adjustments can leave your glove centered on your body...making the pitch appear to be in the zone. Not enough teaching of this skill going around but Jason is one of the best instructors.

Neat article! Truly lost art at our level