CATCHING TIPS AND INSIGHT

Catching Tips and Insight - August 3rd, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:24:00 +0000

It is another fine week here for Ohio baseball...just finishing up some recruiting events...last week this summer!

As I was sitting at an event yesterday, I was talking with a parent of a Catching Tips subscriber. We were talking about a catching being noticed at a showcase because pitchers, middle infielders and center fielders usually catching the scouts' attention. They are the one's facing the crowd and the catcher is often blocked by the umpire. These are just facts from the scout's point of view.

A couple of ideas...ways to get noticed as a catcher:

1.) When catching balls from the outfield, make every possible play at the plate tag game speed / game aggressiveness...

2.) If you only get a couple throws to bases, there's really not much you can do, other than make the most out of each throw. Cheat a little, not a lot!

3.) Be the guy that's always being seen. Not in an annoying way, but ask if a coach needs help with catching in for infielders...whatever you can do to get face-time.

4.) During the game (if there is one), take charge...be vocal...back up first base on an infield ground ball with no-one on. Line up cut-off men to home (loud). Have some command and field-presence.

5.) The only other things you are usually evaluated on are 60 time and live batting practice on the field or in the cages. Make the most of it. Work in between showcases (or in the summer) on your swing...on your speed. No-one wants and slow guy, no-matter what position...unless you can flat-out rake!

I hope this give some insight for those participating in showcases...and remember...these are things you should also be doing for YOUR team...don't just do it for the scouts!

- Joe

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News: Joe Wilkins Catching will be traveling to Decatur, Alabama for our National Catching Clinic August 19th and 20th. August 19th will feature a lecture-style info session in the evening and August 20th will be the camp from 10AM-3PM. Only 25 catchers between the ages of 10 and 15 will be able to participate in the main event. More info and registration is available at www.joewilkinscatching.com.

* An auxiliary event will be available for all catchers that don't make the registration cut-off. This portion will not be advertised.

Catching Tips and Insight - June 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 04:32:00 +0000

Wow, What a year. Moving from North Carolina to California back to Ohio...the season ends and we're right back on the recruiting trail here at Tiffin. But, I am glad to be able to reach out to more than 1,200 catching tips recipients as often as I can. I have been getting a lot of positive feedback from many of you and I want to keep hearing about your success. Many of the success stories have been posted up on the site so share yours with us!

So for this edition of Catching Tips and Insight, I wanted to talk about the position and what it means to me. Catching is a tough position, but a rewarding one. The relationships you build from talking with umpires and having to deal with pitchers and everything you do as a mediator and leader is an education that is irreplaceable. There is certainly a fraternity with catchers...an understanding among us, if you will. Whenever we block the ball and it kicks right in front of us because we rolled our shoulders forward just enough to create that perfect cushion between the ball and the chest...or because you learned how to get your feet out quicker so you saw the ball longer to be able to redirect it. The time you make a perfect throw because you worked on your transfer and separation for 20 throws extra before or after practice...or because you made yourself work on fast hands and fast feet during your throwing program. These memories we create are priceless. There is nothing like throwing a runner out by 3 steps and wondering how you got rid of it so fast and so accurate. It's because you worked at it! Another memory I had and enjoyed was when umpires would talk to me about how they liked working games I caught because I had rhythm and tempo. Everything was presented well from a receiving standpoint and balls did not get by very often. But what I forget sometimes was all the work in the basement, throwing a ball against the wall and catching it or blocking it by myself. The fact that I would not let myself fail for the lack of preparation. This position has given me roots in this game, deeper than I realized when I was playing and I hope it does the same for you. I hope you still enjoy getting our emails.

*If you would like to unsubscribe at any time, please let me know via email and I will kindly remove you from the list.

*If you are a highschool catcher or know someone that is looking for a catching camp, I will be holding an Advanced Camp for rising freshmen through rising seniors at Westerville Central High School on July 21st. Visit www.joewilkinscatching.com for more information.

*A future stars camp will follow in early August for ages 7-13. Details will be posted on the site as soon as we have confirmation of a location, date and times.

Have a great week behind the plate!

- Joe

Catching Tips and Insight - June 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 04:32:00 +0000

Home Sweet Home

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 03:32:00 +0000

After 4 years of being away, I am returning home to Columbus for the 2010 Summer. I will be the Pitching Coach for the Delware Cows of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. I will also be working with kids during the weekdays, prior to home games. Lessons and Clinics will be available, beginning June 15.

View our schedule at: http://www.delawarecows.com/07sched.htm

Catching Tips and Insight - Nov. 17

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:35:00 +0000

Development through Umpiring

I was behind the plate the other day for our Blue and Orange World Series here at Pepperdine. No, I wasn't catching...I was umpiring. It was actually my first time behind the catcher for an extended amount of time. Sometimes I will go behind our catchers to get a different angle but this was way more enlightening. For the first time, I was able to coach the catcher the entire time, from the best angle on the field...the only angle that really matters. I encourage catchers and coaches to take some time to put on the umpiring gear and stand back there for an inning or two to see how important the little things are that we talk about on the website. Things like the way we set up and the presentation of pitches in receiving the ball. These are only a couple things I saw behind the plate, but there were many more. Keep this in mind as part of your development as a catcher, coach or parent of a catcher.

New! YouTube Channel

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:17:00 +0000

Check out our New! YouTube Channel with your favorite FREE Catching Videos.
click here!

Video of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:31:00 +0000

Check out this Video - Why some of the Best Catchers were so Great!

Brad Penny Bullpen

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:52:00 +0000

Brad Penny, on waivers from the Boston Red Sox, was picked up by the San Francisco Giants and will start Wednesday at Philadelphia (4:05 EST). A native of Southern, Cali, Brad stopped by Pepperdine U. and I had the pleasure of catching his bullpen before he flies out to Phili tomorrow...pretty cool!

Med-Ball Transfer and Shuffle

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:24:00 +0000

Click Here to see the Medicine Ball Transfer and Shuffle Drill

Catching Tips and Insight - August 29

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:21:00 +0000

This week’s email focuses related to what we are willing and able to do in the off-season to get better. Try to take a minute to sit down and write out a “Success Plan” to help you get started. Think of all the days that go by and we say to ourselves, “I wish I would have done (this or that) today.” Many believe the best way to follow through with the commitment to get better…do better…be better…is to have a plan. So think of all the things that you could do and you will regret less what you didn’t do. You can do mirror drills with a $10 mirror from Wal-Mart. You do more in your garage or backyard alone than you can imagine. You don’t need much. I would suggest going to someone to teach you something once a week and then go home and work at it, however you can…many of our readers live in Ohio, where it is cold in the winter. It’s not easy to discipline yourself to work alone…but the great ones do!

Good luck – try to find a way to get better!

- Joe

This Week (Columbus, Ohio) News Article

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:36:00 +0000

Click Here!

Posted using ShareThis

Catching Tips and Insight - August 16

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 18:49:00 +0000

In an email from a young catcher, he writes: Thanks Mr.Wilkins I am an inspiring catcher I want to be the best that I can. I am already good at catching the ball ,and blocking. But at blocking I am not very consistant especially on those balls that spin in different directions. I have a strong arm ,but I am not always on target any tips on getting my accuracy better.

My Reply:

Great to hear your questions...As far as the blocking goes, try the "already down drill" to focus on the different kicks the ball takes off the ground...get in you "blocking stance" (knees already on the ground) and have someone throw balls in the dirt so that you can focus on reading them off the ground only. It will increase your focus on the ball more.

As far as being more accurate, think more about what your body is doing, rather than what the ball is doing. Make sure when you shuffle your feet to throw, you are lined up to the target every time. Work on shuffling your feet and transferring the ball without throwing (pause, once you get your feet set). Then you create muscle-memory. Then, make sure your glove hand is pointed to the target (not straight, but slightly bent). Make sure your throwing hand doesn't extent past 90 degrees when you take the ball back (bow and arrow). Then, when you finish, your glove should not drop - it should twist and the fingers of the glove should be pointed upright/ in front of your left shoulder. You should be able to balance on the front leg without falling over...check out this video:

Click here to watch!

Make sure you pause it in certain positions to see where things are at certain points!

Take care and let me know how this helps!

- Joe

Pepperdine Catcher Trent Diedrich Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 06:25:00 +0000

Click Here to See Pepperdine Catcher Trent Diedrich's "Making Waves" interview with Pepperdine Sports.

Click Here to see Trent's Pepperdine Baseball Bio

Catching Tips and Insight - July 27

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:41:00 +0000

***Making Your Teammates Better***

In the competitive World we live in, the importance of the TEAM concept is very difficult to grasp. We send our kids to "personal" trainers and have "private" instructors to make our sons and daughters better. Granted, it does help your team when your game is individually better but let's talk for a quick minute about the importance of making those around you better.

Here's an idea:

Let's say, you are the best player on your team and you see a teammate who is struggling...are you going to help him out or let him struggle? If he gets better, don't you think your team will be better? Then, you will have a better chance to get to the playoffs and maybe be noticed by someone that will give you "your shot." All because you helped your teammate out.

As catchers, this should be an everyday thing. Even if it's just a couple words of encouragement to someone. Things like this are contagious.

Maybe, you are going to an instructor and your teammate might benefit by going to that same instructor. I know we don't charge any more for two or three students than I charge for one student. You guys can split the cost! It's all about spreading the knowledge and making your team better.

Keep this in mind, as you are thinking of ways you can improve your chances to "get noticed." The individual element in this game can only take you so far...

Catch, Transfer and Separate

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:08:00 +0000

Receiving Techniques Video

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:25:00 +0000

Breaking Down the Transfer

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:24:00 +0000

In an email I sent, answering a transfer question, I felt that it should be shared with everyone...

Hey Mark - good to hear from you - don't know if I answered your email yet, as I have been around the world and back the last few days. Up in Tiffin right now for their summer camp.

About your catchers...for the transfer stuff, I have them slow everything down to slow motion to get the form correct - they should be transferring with the glove up and the hand should go into the glove with the index finger and middle finger at the top of the pocket for their grip - I know, you're probably like, "no sh*?" but so many of them go into the glove upside down because they want to stand up to early. The wrong transfer path and the standing up too early problem go hand in hand...the correct transfer will keep the elbows down and as a result keep the butt down through the footwork stage. Wear them out on the proper transfer path, taking the ball out of the glove and separating and then going back and putting it back in and separating (the transfer) without doing anything else - then have them get in their stance and do the same thing. Then have them transfer and move the right foot only as part of the footwork process (transfer and step). Then build all the way up to the transfer/shuffle and separate. Then they can go through the whole thing. Hell, I have spent a whole hour lesson on just this, making them get it right. Once they buy in, it's night and day! Let me know if you have any questions or feedback from working with the kids with this in mind.

Have a good one!

- JW

Pre-Game Bullpen at FSU

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:24:00 +0000

Pre-Game at FSU

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:22:00 +0000

Pre-Game Infield at FSU

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:16:00 +0000

Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:41:00 +0000

"We should not have to push you to work hard. You should work hard because you want to be a great player."

- Bobby Knight

Catching Tips and Insight - March 14

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:24:00 +0000

***Throwing to Bases during Pre-Game Infield/Outfield***

How many teams do you see in pre-game infield/outfield that have their catcher take the throw from the first-baseman to work on throws to second and third? I have been just as guilty of this in the past. Why do we do this? Why don't we put a non-starter/coach in the middle of the field to act as the pitcher? They can get the ball from the first baseman and deliver it home with very little additional time. If we do this, our catchers can get more realistic feeds to work on their transfers and throws from the correct angle.

If you are a coach, please consider this...if you are a catcher, please suggest this to your coach...if you are a parent, don't step on any toes (just forward this email to your kid's coach and blame it on me for telling you to do so). After all, it is just a suggestion.

Wake Forest Baseball in the News

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 06:40:00 +0000

Click here to see Video!

Catching Tips and Insight - January 28

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 04:33:00 +0000

Creating a Consistent Rhythm - Set Up, Pre-Pitch and During the Pitch

It's great to be back! I'm still getting settled in Winston-Salem (week 3) but I wanted to touch base with a quick catching tip for you. When we think about setting up, we think about giving the sign and getting to our stance...and that's it. Let's talk about having a mental rhythm (self talk) to be able to create a consistent tempo for giving a sign, getting to the stance, giving a target, relaxing the glove before the pitch and adjusting to the location when the pitch is thrown. Whatever your self talk might be, it must be consistent, until you have mastered the art and it becomes second nature. Let's go through some examples of self talk that would, not only get you to a better stance and balance position, but be able to react to tougher pitches much easier.

- "Slow signs, right foot step, left foot follow, good stance, target, relax, adjust"
- "Sign, left foot step, right foot follow, stance, target, relax the glove, adjust to pitch"

When you get better at this self talk and you can minimize your words (especially during a game), you can cut down on the wording...

- "Sign, Walk to stance, target, relax, adjust"
- "Sign, Stance, Relax, Adjust"

The last "self-talk" example is the one we will eventually get to when we have mastered all the details in between. But you should always have self talk, no matter how good you are so that you never lose your rhythm.

Keep working and asking questions if you have them!

Quotes of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Joe Wilkins) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:02:00 +0000

* "People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success."

* "Enthusiasm releases the drive to carry you over obstacles and adds significance to all you do."

- Norman Vincent Peale