What is meant by "where the catcher is setting up"?
by Jim
(Phoenix, AZ)
Catcher Set Up Low And Away
Catcher Set Up Inside
Catcher Set Up Middle
Catcher Set Up Outside
Jim asked: Recently a person asked what kind of wrong it was for a coach to tell his batter "where the catcher is setting up (in or out)." I do not understand what is meant by "where the catcher is setting up." Could you explain it?
If it means where the catcher positions him or herself to catch a pitch, why would it be "wrong" for the batter to know. Wouldn't this fall under the purview of "field"- or "situational awareness"?
Rick answered: Jim, thank you for your question.
Where a catcher is setting up, is in reference to their location inside, middle, outside, high, low, center cut.
Within the game of baseball, it has always been considered one of baseball's unwritten rules that batters don't take sneak peeks as the catcher gives his signs.
Not as prevalent as it used to be; but the penalty is getting hit with a pitch, somewhere down the line. Next at bat, teams best hitter. It varies.
As you watch MLB games, when they close in on the hitter, catcher and umpire with the center field camera, you can often see the catcher taking a quick glance up at the hitter, just to see if he can catch him looking.
It can also reach out into a runner at second base. From that location, base runners have been known to signal pitches, as well as locations.
Runners at first base are just as likely to sneak a peek, to see what pitch might be coming, fastball or off speed, to determine when they want to steal.
It is not considered, within the game, to be a part of field or situational awareness.
Yours in baseball,
Rick
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