FRAMING
The most important aspect of framing is to frame strikes and borderline pitches.
Don't waste your time or the umpires by trying to frame balls that are not in
the zone. Simply catch the ball and return it to the pitcher and get ready for
the next pitch. By framing pitches that are not strikes, you make yourself look
like a bad catcher, and may make the umpire look bad. If you make the umpire look
bad, he will not be anxious to help you on a borderline pitch.
One key to framing is to catch the top half, bottom half and side half of the
ball. When you catch the ball, you should show the umpire the other half of the
baseball. For example, if the pitch is on the inner half of the plate, you should
catch the left side of the ball (assuming a right handed batter) and show the
umpire the right side of the ball. The rest is true for pitches up, down, and
out. Couple that with a weight shift and you have mastered the beginning skills
of framing. It is most effective if the catcher can move their body with the baseball.
A catcher can sway on their ankles and move with the pitch.
It is very important to beat the baseball to the spot of contact. By this I do
not mean extend your hand and arm so far as to get hit by a swinging bat. Don't
let the ball control you. Beat the ball to the spot and stick it. Make sure you
do not hold the pitch for too long. This may upset an umpire. He may think you
are showing him up by holding a frame for a long time. Keep the umpire on your
side. Also, don't allow the baseball to knock you glove around. Be firm with your
frame.
Your glove arm should be tension free and relaxed. It should not fully extend
when the ball is caught. Trust you eyes, the ball will come to you. As it approaches,
your wrist should relax. There can be a slight glove drop or turn in order to
relax the hand. Do not allow your glove to fall too far. A slight wrist drop or
turn is appropriate for relaxing the hand for contact.
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