| Young or new catchers are often shy of both the batter and the ball, not truly realizing that all of the gear they wear does something besides causing them to overheat them during long innings. Many times, the number one cause of dropped strikes is that catchers will flinch, or even close their eyes, when the batter swings. This drill is great for younger kids, but can benefit players of any age.
Hve a coach stand very close in front of the catcher - three or four feet is good - with a ball in each hand. Once the catcher is ready and in position, the coach flicks a baseball, without warning, at the catcher’s mask. Immediately, the coach tosses the second ball up into the air.
This forcs the catcher to ignore the noise and sensation of the ball bouncing off his equipment while he focuses on making the play on the pop up. The catcher learns to trust their equipment and keep their eyes open and on the play.
Make sure that you emphasize that the catcher does not tilt his head back while still squatting for the play - this common mistake exposes the neck, and can lead to serious injury. Keep them honest by varying popups with dribblers and simulated bunts. Of course, the catcher should drop the mask once he has identified the existence of a popup; he cant track the ball’s flight if he can’t see it! | |
