Pitch It Out

In addition to calling pitches, catchers need to have signals for other things as well. Pitchouts, Pickoffs, Intentional Walks and various Defensive Coverages are all plays that catchers must signal into to either the pitcher, a particular defensive player, an entire infield or all of the above.

Here are 2 quick suggestions for helping your catcher figure out her signals for calling the pitchout and pickoffs:

• Signal Review - in the Catching module of our Level 4 Coaches Certification Training we cover the keys for giving signals including suggestions for standardizing signals for all pitchers, giving pitch and location signals and setup timing. This will help your catchers with their general signal giving skills as well as with the timing of their signals.
• Create a Pitchout Signal - which is usually a catcher's thumb and little finger spread apart and wiggled, and a signal from the catcher to the player receiving the throw - which is usually the catcher stepping out in front of the plate (following the last play) and signaling the number of outs to the infield in general with her hand facing them - and specifically to the player receiving the throw with her hand backwards and saying her last name.

For more catching help check out our catching resources: The Fundamentals of Catching DVD by Stacey Nuveman, our Catching Drill, and the Catching Module within each one of our Level 7 Coaching Certification Training.