Catcher Position for Blocking the Plate

By: Chip,
Date: April 01, 1998 at 20:10

As far as the mechanics for catchers and pitchers blocking the plate, please note two disclaimers:

1. Each league has a different style. Some leagues and coaches consider this play too dangerous; they position their catcher behind the plate and direct him to hold the glove low over the 3rd base corner, so as to force the runner to tag himself out. Other leagues and coaches are more aggressive, and want the player up the line. (I play in the latter kind of league).

2. Strictly speaking, blocking the plate (or any other base) without the ball is illegal. However, when the play gets close, certain unwritten rules about style go into effect. It's kind of like the rule that "the tie goes to the runner" -- but the umpires believe there are no ties. With these notes, here's how I have the catcher play:

    \ (3B line & C's foot -- 18" to 24 " up the line)
      \ I
        I (C's other foot)
          _______
         l       l
         l       l
          \     /
            \ /
             V

The C's left foot should be on the white chalk pointed to 3B; his left knee should also point to that base. His right foor should point toward the incoming ball. His weight should be mostly on his right side. As the ball arrives, he shifts so that both his feet point towards 3B, as do his knees. He should keep as low as possible, should stay in the baseline (not taking the fakes if runners try to slide around him), and should tag with two hands. If the throw is late, he just steps toward the ball and avoids any collision. This play must be practiced frequently, as Cs tend to get lazy with their feet. But the human knee is stron in a head-on collision (especially when wearing catcher's greaves) but weak from the side.

As far as pitchers blocking the plate, I strongly discourage the practice. A wild pitch usually results in scrambling and improvisation, so the P is usually not set in a game situation. Since the runner is sliding down the 3B line while the P is set up faci ng foul territory on the 1B line, the collision comes from behind the P's knees, and I have witnessed several serious knee and leg injuries from such an exchange. The best set-up (in my opinion ) is for the pitcher to place his right foot in front of the plate on the 1B side of the plate (not blocking the 3B line at all), with his left foot on the 1B side of the plate. If the throw arives ahead of the runner, he can flash the glove down on the 3B line; if the throw is late, he won't be in the way of the sliding runner. I have seen other coaches teach the P to stand on the top of the 3B corner of the plate; as the throw comes in the P actually lies down in the baseline to block the plate. You have probably seen that approach, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it. It becomes totally impractical as soon as the players start wearing metal cleats, so they might as well learn the right way from the start.