Today’s Tip: “The Lip”
March 13, 2010
Both the goalie and the catcher need to keep a clean house.
Here’s another catching tip….
I don’t know too much about hockey, but while watching the Olympics, I couldn’t help but notice how meticulous the goalies were about smoothing out and fixing the ice around the crease area. This got me thinking about catchers and the area around the batter’s box, and that led me to this pointer.
You know that 55 foot pitch that pitchers throw/spike once in a while? The one that just nicks the front of home plate and ricochets over the catchers head – despite his best blocking mechanics? It happens about once every 8 or 9 games and everybody pats you on the back and says, ” there was nothing you could’ve done to keep that ball in front of you…it was just a bad hop.”
Well, yes and no. Yes, bad hops are unfortunate, but it’s not true “there’s nothing the catcher could’ve done about it.” While I’ll admit a 55 foot pitch is tough to block, and next to impossible if it hits the lip of the plate, let me ask you a question. Why is the dirt lower than the front of home plate in the first place?
The point is, the catcher (just like the goalie) is responsible for the dirt (or ice) around him. By paying attention and constantly grooming the area around the batter’s box (i.e, making sure the plate and dirt are on the same level) bad hops will decrease. That ball that careens off the plate and over your head really should never happen. Pitches that bounce in the dirt will be more predictable and you’ll become a much more consistent blocker.
Till next time, good luck, have fun, and keep your eye on the ball.
Excellent point. I am a tall guy that’s been catching for over 50 years and I know that what you say is true. Our fields have been lass then well groomed and rock hard most of the time. The dirt is invariably lower than the plate. When I see that ball coming into the plate area, my first instinct is to stand up to avoid it going over my head at the same time being prepared to kick it into the field area if it stays low. It would be nice to have extra dirt around the field area to groom the plate area before a game if needed.
Great advice on both tips. The need to focus was great info. I will actually implement this at work. As for the keeping your “house”(home plate) well maintained, wow, I actually had not thought about that. This advice will be very critical when playing away. At least at your home field your may be used to how the ball reacts to the front edge. Thanks for going the extra mile for our kids by giving them your continued support and knowledge.
Jerry