Catching4Kids: Small Targets

By Rick Straub

To maintain the interest of the young player, baseball and softball must be fun. It is a difficult sport for kids to play. Other sports, like soccer and basketball, can be enjoyed at an early age without much hand/ eye coordination. Goals and points may not be scored efficiently but kids can kick the soccer ball, and shoot and pass a basketball. Baseball and softball is more difficult; some kids may NEVER hit a pitch.

Coaches have to be creative and proactive to maintain the kids' interest while improving their skills. Young catchers are placed behind the plate and abandoned!! Sometimes they get less attention than other players when they should be getting more. To grow a young good catcher takes planning, compassion and attention to those specific skills.

Catching is different:
only a catcher is in foul territory (by the rules)
- only a catcher wears equipment
- only a catcher sees every player, every play
- only a catcher handles every pitch, everyday
- only a catcher is expected to block the ball
- only a catcher is expected not to complain
- only a catcher uses a glove that was not designed to catch batted balls

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rick Straub
• Release date: Nov 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301056880

Rick Straub

Eric A Straub (RICK)..... [e-mail] Rick has coached hundreds of baseball players, played in thousands of games, with decades of catching experience. He has caught several future major league pitchers while playing in the Baltimore, York Pa and in DC Leagues. Rick has three grown children, Kurt, Kelsey, and Andrew. Rick is an IT, management and business professional; starting Baseline Software Group and the Baltimore IIBA chapter. ******************************* PLAYER: - Milford Mill HS (Varsity) ... 1963-64 - Apaches / amateur 14-16 ... 1961-63 - Putty Hill / amateur 16-19 ... 1964-66 - Spring Grove / A&S Contractors (semi pro) ... 1967-83 - Pleasureville, Stoverstown, Vikings (York Central Unlimited) ... 1983-2003 - York Labor Day Tournament with (Baltimore, Reisterstown, Pleasureville, Stoverstown, Mt Wolf) ... 1966-2001 - In the TOP 50 Hitters of ALL TIME in the 80 year old YORK CENTRAL LEAGUE - Baltimore Baseball Club (DC Metro, AA county) ... 2003- present (All Star catcher each year) - MSBL Annual Tournaments in Arizona and Florida ... 2003-2011 (MVP 2006) COACH: Reisterstown and Lutherville/ Timonium Rec Leagues Baltimore Baseball Coalition Bay Bridge Baseball Academy BATT Academy St Frances Academy

Book preview

Catching4Kids – small targets

A primer for teaching children to be

baseball or softball catchers

by

RICK STRAUB

Copyright 2012 by Rick Straub

SmashWords Edition

ISBN: 9781301056880

...Quoting fromBaseball-catcher.com

One area in baseball that receives little attention from coaches is teaching proper catching techniques. In general, there is not enough practice time devoted to it and the result is a lack of quality catchers at all levels. The reasons for this can be attributed to a number of things, but mainly, the blame falls oncoaches for not setting aside practice time and a coach's lack of catching knowledge.

(http://www.baseball-catcher.com/guide.htm):

CONTENTS:

I. KISS-- Keep It Simple, Son

II. INTRODUCTION.

III. FOCUS.

IV. Here's what catchers do.....

RECEIVING - from one stance; the Ready.

BLOCKING – is NOT catching the ball

THROWING – to bases

FIELDING – how to make these plays

V. Here is the how to do it …. and why.

STANCE - to Block or Catch, then Throw

RECEIVING.

BLOCKING.

THROWING -Footwork and "Armwork'

Footwork.

Armwork.

FIELDING.

Bunts.

Pop-Ups.

Plays at the plate.

VI. Catchers Equipment.

Hockey-style mask.

Chest Protector.

Shin guards with(out) knee savers.

Mitt.

Arm/ Wrist pad.

Equipment BAG with wheels and pockets.

Equipment Care.

VII. Coaches Equipment.

VIII. CLOSE (with EXODUS 20:15).

IX. EXTRA CREDIT.

KISS-- Keep It Simple, Son

Albert Straub,