Tom Griffin

Warm up for blocks or before training. React and read. Being a better mover can help you as a catcher

2 ball rapid. Short hop pick followed by ball out of zone up. Working both extremes. 3 keys to receiving 1. Catch Everything. 2. Keep a strike a strike 3. Win the stri-ball (pitches on border of K zone). 3 key counts. 0-0/1-1/2-1

Reminder for catchers to PREPARE the umpire for the pitcher you are catching. Give the umpire a quick scouting report on your guys arsenal. FB movement, shape of breaking ball, what area of zone he is most effective, ect. Want to make sure umpire not caught off guard by a pitch because of how it plays. Example: “Hey Tim (Umpire) this reliever Nolan Ryan has an explosive FB at top of the zone. Where we plan to live. CB is a hammer 12-6 shape. Will use change vs lefties that sinks. Hasn’t walked anyone since he was 12 yrs old.” Exchange can be quick. Main thing is to make sure ump is not caught off guard by a pitch in a big situation.

Catching Camp for 7th graders thru HS players. Covering all fundamentals, drills, leadership training! June 29-30 from 9am-2:30pm at Carson-Newman University. To sign up go to www.carsonnewmanbaseball.totalcamps For more information please email Tom Griffin at tgriffin@cn.edu

Delay steal (IMO) is called more with a LH hitter in the box. Hitter is blocking catchers view (offense is also looking for MIF reaction and movement after pitch). Trying to catch defense off guard. One way to defend against is to verbalize (C and INF) “Watch delay” (before 1st pitch and even after a couple pitches) Letting O team and coach you are aware of possible play.

Combo work with machine. Work up receiving, dry block work, footwork steal

Ickey shuffle with catch and block/pic

Ping pong ball catches. Can create lot of movement (especially windy days), harder to catch because of how light ball is

Rapid Fire changing stances. Pre game or training

@garrett_ron That is a given!!!!!!!

@catchblockthrow 6. Play only 80's music in between innings :)

Tennessee HS baseball opening day tomorrow! Wishes for 1: Rain only on Sundays 2: Concession stand profits higher than ever before 3. No injuries 4. All parents of players happy with all decisions made by staff 5. Teams support their team and zero trash talking or comments made to other team. Respect the game! Best of luck

Pre game warm up without a coach that catchers can do for warm up. Working on movement patterns/fundamentals (Small@med ball is 4 to 6 lbs. Large med ball is 10lbs)

Catchers need to move around plate area to give best chance to handle throws and make a play. Some you can move up to catch and come back to plate (avoid short hop). Some you can back up. All dependent on time you have. Internal clock in head. With time get a throw you can handle

Block shuffle recover stationary ball. Can be done as warm up with no ball in 1st part. Dry block middle shuffle recover

1 knee side block continuous for push-pull action. Anti-1 knee coaches these movement patterns help C’s become better movers-mentally allowing bodies to learn new movement pattern that help the athleticism of player. patterns also part of of the secondary stance block to side

@TheCatchingGuy Great idea and drill!!!!

🧵 THREAD- As coaches we need to be open minded and get creative sometimes to accomplish our goals. For this drill I wanted to simulate receiving misfires or pitches away from their anticipated location. (1/3)

Combo from 2 knees or 1 knee. Catch, Block and Transfer.

Happy #nationalcatchers day to the hardest working players on the field! I'd love to see your best photos/videos from the past year of your favorite catcher so please tag me and use the hashtag in your posts!

@GregSwindell Well… it happened fast. Last couple innings we both wanted to finish. Actually pitchers threw K’s , no errors. No dropped balls. Felt like both teams handled it well. But having to open this early is brutal!!! Hope you are well. Miss you

How was this @catchblockthrow looks fun?

@KendallRogers @ArizonaBaseball @Rockies Fred Corral would be a great hire

NEWS: @ArizonaBaseball Director of Pitching Development Owen Cuffe is headed to the @Rockies org. Cuffe had an important role for the Wildcats. I’d expect Chip Hale to move relatively fast on a replacement.