Working the Plate

Plate Stances

• Two basic stancesTwo basic stances

– BoxBox

– ScissorScissor

– There is a third, but few use itThere is a third, but few use it• KneeKnee

The Box

The BOX

Traditional Balanced

The Box

Inside Foot Positioning

The Box

Head Positioning

The Scissors

The Scissors

The ScissorsInside Foot Positioning

The ScissorsHead Positioning

The “SLOT”

The Slot

The Slot

The Slot

The “SLOT”

Good Bad Ugly

Getting into position

• On the rubberOn the rubber

• SetSet– ““drop” from A to B drop” from A to B

• Read itRead it

• Watch itWatch it

• PausePause

• Call itCall it

Making the call

• BallBall

• StrikeStrike

• Swinging strikeSwinging strike

• Third strikeThird strike

• Check swingCheck swing

• Catcher/Batter interferenceCatcher/Batter interference

• Dead ball strikeDead ball strike

Responsibilities

• BalksBalks• Swing/Check SwingSwing/Check Swing• Foul Ball/Foul TipFoul Ball/Foul Tip• Hit batterHit batter• Batter not avoiding pitchBatter not avoiding pitch• Batter ducks, but pitch hits the batBatter ducks, but pitch hits the bat• Batter is out of the box Batter is out of the box • Batter swings, but is hit by the pitchBatter swings, but is hit by the pitch• Catcher interferenceCatcher interference• Batter interferenceBatter interference• Squeeze playSqueeze play• Passed ball Passed ball • Dropped third strikeDropped third strike

Clearing the Catcher

Popups

• Get out of the catcher’s wayGet out of the catcher’s way

• Move with the catcherMove with the catcher

• Watch the gloveWatch the glove

• Make the callMake the call

Positioning for Calls

Positioning for Calls

Problem Areas

• Batter crowding the plateBatter crowding the plate

• Catcher inside and/or highCatcher inside and/or high

• Catcher way outsideCatcher way outside

• ““That one’s gonna hurt” pitchThat one’s gonna hurt” pitch

The Mask

• HatHat

• Standard MaskStandard Mask

• Hockey-styleHockey-style

• Removing/Carrying the maskRemoving/Carrying the mask

The Indicator

• Absolute necessityAbsolute necessity

• Using/CarryingUsing/Carrying

Tips for working the plate

• Introduce yourself to the catcherIntroduce yourself to the catcher• Take pitches from EACH pitcher in the first inning during Take pitches from EACH pitcher in the first inning during

warmupwarmup• Work with the catcher during the gameWork with the catcher during the game• Use the catcher to assist you with problem pitchersUse the catcher to assist you with problem pitchers• Home Runs Home Runs

– SendSend the catcher to mound with a ball the catcher to mound with a ball– Manage the dirtManage the dirt

• All pitches are strikes---unless they convince you All pitches are strikes---unless they convince you otherwiseotherwise

• Call the pitch on the knees, but stay away from the high Call the pitch on the knees, but stay away from the high pitchpitch

• Consistency during the game is crucialConsistency during the game is crucial

Questions ?