Catchers fitness

Question
I am a High School catcher and I have a couple of questions.

What kind of fitness regimes should catchers do?

What are some tipps that will help me get the ball out of my glove down to second faster?

Do you know any good baseball fitness regimes for the overall player?

thank you very much


Answer
Catchers need to be concerned with both strength and flexability.  As a catcher, you should be one of the most flexible athletes on the team.  Our catchers stretch and throw at the beginning of practice with the rest of the position players.  After that, they break off into their own corner and do another 10 - 15 minutes of stretching.  They really focus on the lower body and back.

You should also be doing plenty of running.  Both long distance and wind sprints.

Do a web search and find a good site that has detailed instructions on the Dr. Jobe Exercises.  These are all small weights and wierd angles that strenghten all of the muscles in the arm and shoulder.  For a catcher, I can not stress how important this is.

To improve your glove to hand transfer the key is to focus on the glove position.  The transfer should be made at shoulder height.  When you catch the ball, be aware to not bring the glove down nor into your body.  Keep it parallel to the shoulders, torque the body and transfer the ball in front of you.

Hope these tips help you have a great season.  Best of luck.

Coach Stauffer
Macomb Baseball