AGE REQUIREMENTS:

All Catchers
 Ages 8 through 16
 Limited Space

Camp details:

$ 199 per Catcher
2 - Day Camp
January 20 & 21
10am-1pm
 

• Day one will focus is on preparation, stances/setups and receiving.
• Day two will focus on blocking & throwing fundamentals.
• Throwing session will leverage HitTrax, recording metrics at the beginning and ending of the camp.
• Pizza served at end of both days during chalk talk.

What do i bring:

• Come dressed ready to work.
• Each catcher should have their own set of gear.
• Water bottle, etc.  Gatorades available for purchase.
• Turf shoes. 

Focusing on the "big 3" skills of a catcher—receiving, blocking, and throwing—requires a detailed understanding and dedicated training. Here's a breakdown of what we're going to learn:

1. Receiving:

• Soft Hands:

  • Demonstrate the importance of having soft and quiet hands when receiving pitches. This involves minimizing unnecessary movement and ensuring a relaxed, yet ready, glove.

• Framing:

  • Teach framing techniques to subtly move the glove into the strike zone to convince the umpire that borderline pitches are strikes. This involves small, controlled movements to make the pitch look more favorable.

• Presentation:

  • Teach how to present a good target by setting up the body and glove in a way that helps pitchers hit their spots. This includes proper stance and positioning behind the plate.

• Quick Transitions:

  • Train how to quickly transition from the catching position to a throwing stance to be ready for potential base runners.

2. Blocking:

• Proper Stance:

  • Breakdown how to start in a low, wide stance with weight on the balls of their feet, ready to move laterally.

• Angle and Positioning:

  • Demonstrate the importance of positioning the body at an angle to the pitcher to increase the chances of blocking pitches and controlling rebounds, pushing the ball to the plate.

• Use of Body:

  • Understand how to use your chest protector, body, and glove to block balls in the dirt. Avoid simply relying on the glove, as this increases the chances of a passed ball.

• Recovery:

  • Learn how to recover quickly after blocking a pitch, getting to their feet and locating the ball to prevent base runners from advancing.

3. Throwing:

• Quick Release:

  • Work on developing a quick and efficient throwing motion. Understand the importance of minimizing wasted movement to get the ball out of the glove and into a throwing position rapidly.

• Accuracy:

  • Learn how to control throwing accuracy to ensure and make precise and quick throws to different bases. This involves a combination of good footwork and a strong, accurate arm.

• Catching Stealers:

  • Learn drills to simulate game situations, practicing throwing to second and third bases to catch potential base stealers. Great for homework!

• Communication:

  • Discuss the need to communicate effectively with the pitcher and infielders, providing information about base runners and defensive strategies.

Nuggets:

• Mental Toughness:

  • Instill mental toughness, emphasizing resilience after errors and the ability to maintain focus throughout the game.

• Game Awareness:

  • Discuss owning the game, understanding the count, the number of outs, and the position of base runners.

• Strength and Conditioning:

  • Implement strength and conditioning program to ensure you are physically prepared for the demands of their position.

• Consistent Practice:

  • Consistent and repetitive practice is crucial for developing muscle memory and mastering these skills.  
    Homework, homework, homework!

We'll use HitTrax in the throwing session.

The free account on hittrax.com will be required if you would like to record statistics on your progress.
The paid account allows access to more features including video analysis.

All future use of HitTrax at any facility will capture your hitting, catching, pitching progression.