Key Position to play in High School

[STRIKE3]

What are your thoughts, regarding the key defensive position to play in High School Baseball and why.

[Homerun]

I went to a recruiting seminar recently where there were representatives from D1, D2, D3, JUCO, and NAIA. A question was asked where college scholarship money goes and why. The answer was somewhat predictable, yet interesting. The answer was the scholarship money first goes to pitching—particularly good left handed pitchers. Pitchers in baseball can have more to do in the outcome of the game than any other position. There are 25 scholarship positions in a D1 team out of 35 roster spots. 15 or 16 of the scholarship players could be pitchers. The second position where scholarship money goes was a little surprising to me. I have always valued catchers; but the coaches said that they like to have a quality catcher when so many scholarship players are pitchers. They like to have a smart defensive catcher that can be a coach on the field. Their last answer for where money goes was a little different. Rather than answer the middle of the field—shortstop, centerfield, etc.—their answer was “speed.” I guess they feel that if they have quality players with speed, they can fit those players into where they need them.

[STRIKE3]

I went to a recruiting seminar recently where there were representatives from D1, D2, D3, JUCO, and NAIA. A question was asked where college scholarship money goes and why. The answer was somewhat predictable, yet interesting. The answer was the scholarship money first goes to pitching—particularly good left handed pitchers. Pitchers in baseball can have more to do in the outcome of the game than any other position. There are 25 scholarship positions in a D1 team out of 35 roster spots. 15 or 16 of the scholarship players could be pitchers. The second position where scholarship money goes was a little surprising to me. I have always valued catchers; but the coaches said that they like to have a quality catcher when so many scholarship players are pitchers. They like to have a smart defensive catcher that can be a coach on the field. Their last answer for where money goes was a little different. Rather than answer the middle of the field—shortstop, centerfield, etc.—their answer was “speed.” I guess they feel that if they have quality players with speed, they can fit those players into where they need them.

Excellent points and I agree. At differing levels of play, SS, Pitchers and Catchers are critical. I feel that Catching in High School, is a key position.

 

A solid pitching staff, needs a Catcher to not only control the game but be able to handle a variety of pitches/locations. Pitchers can control the flow of the game but Catchers, dictate advancement and scoring position.

[Blue Magic]

I'd say the most critical would be your catcher. There's nothing worse than having balls constantly going to the backstop, players running to bases without even being contested and just not being the leader on the field that a catcher should be. If someone walks or hits a single and it's an automatic double, that's worse than any other position you have on the field. I could also make an argument for pitching but this thread is for key position and I'm sticking with catcher.

[BaseballIsLife]

Pitching can make up for a lot of things on a team. One extremely good pitcher can help cover for a bad or stagnant offense and even make it easier on a defense (to a degree). Thats why there is the saying that nobody can have too much pitching.

[THEGREENDANDY]

I went to a recruiting seminar recently where there were representatives from D1, D2, D3, JUCO, and NAIA. A question was asked where college scholarship money goes and why. The answer was somewhat predictable, yet interesting. The answer was the scholarship money first goes to pitching—particularly good left handed pitchers. Pitchers in baseball can have more to do in the outcome of the game than any other position. There are 25 scholarship positions in a D1 team out of 35 roster spots. 15 or 16 of the scholarship players could be pitchers. The second position where scholarship money goes was a little surprising to me. I have always valued catchers; but the coaches said that they like to have a quality catcher when so many scholarship players are pitchers. They like to have a smart defensive catcher that can be a coach on the field. Their last answer for where money goes was a little different. Rather than answer the middle of the field—shortstop, centerfield, etc.—their answer was “speed.” I guess they feel that if they have quality players with speed, they can fit those players into where they need them.

 

You can't teach speed.

[Theoldguy]

Pitching can make up for a lot of things on a team. One extremely good pitcher can help cover for a bad or stagnant offense and even make it easier on a defense (to a degree). Thats why there is the saying that nobody can have too much pitching.

 

While I will agree with you that you never can have enough pitching, unless you have a good catcher for the pitcher to throw to, he won't be as effective..... How many times have you seen a very good pitcher get so frustrated on the mound when his catcher doesn't seem to be able to catch his stuff.

 

Just think, who were/are the best players in NKy the last couple of year? Faris of Boone and Maile of CovCath, both catchers.

[BaseballIsLife]

While I will agree with you that you never can have enough pitching, unless you have a good catcher for the pitcher to throw to, he won't be as effective..... How many times have you seen a very good pitcher get so frustrated on the mound when his catcher doesn't seem to be able to catch his stuff.

 

Just think, who were/are the best players in NKy the last couple of year? Faris of Boone and Maile of CovCath, both catchers.

 

Very true, but when you have an inexperienced catcher catching a good pitcher, he will learn and improve very fast because he will be seeing some of the best of whats to offer. Sure the catcher might start to struggle first but will improve quickly.

[Theoldguy]

Very true, but when you have an inexperienced catcher catching a good pitcher, he will learn and improve very fast because he will be seeing some of the best of whats to offer. Sure the catcher might start to struggle first but will improve quickly.

 

He better learn fast or your team will struggle and the coach will have him out of there before he gets himself killed or the pitchers kill him! :lol:

 

Really a great defensive catcher can make a pitcher better, while a poor defensive catcher can just destroy a good pitcher.

 

BTW there is more to catching than just catching the ball and throwing the ball back to the pitcher and I know you understand that too! :thumb:

[ljc76]

Excellent catchers are a key in any good team. Look at the 9th region champs, that won sectionall and went to state(including CCH championship).All had good catchers. I agree that a good cathcer can control the pace of a game. Catching is a necessity at all levels of college ball, from DIII to DI.

[STRIKE3]

He better learn fast or your team will struggle and the coach will have him out of there before he gets himself killed or the pitchers kill him! :lol:

 

Really a great defensive catcher can make a pitcher better, while a poor defensive catcher can just destroy a good pitcher.

 

BTW there is more to catching than just catching the ball and throwing the ball back to the pitcher and I know you understand that too! :thumb:

Well said TOG and I agree. Good pitching can limit baserunners and if any reach, a solid Catcher will prevent advancement to scoring position.

 

I think SS/2B are other key positions and all the defensive calls, lateral movement and positioning involved. I've always believed the old philosophy of being strong up the middle, including CF.

[Roc4ever]

No doubt, Pitching and catching are the keys, and when you have speed in the field, makes it difficult for teams to score. Some D1 coaches are looking for multi position players with speed. You can teach pitching and catching, but you can't teach speed.....

[dmderringer10]

Baseball teams need to be solid in the middle of the field to be a good team. Catching, Pitching, Middle infield and Centerfielder are the most important positions on the field.

[Chosen_One]

Please remember that if you do not have a first baseman, then the only other way to get someone out would be a pop-up, or a strikeout!:thumb:

[FootballisKing]

So, just like in little league, hide'em in right field or put them at third and hope they don't get killed. We need the better kids everywhere else?