CATCHERS DROPPED 3RD STRIKE
Coach
stands behind catcher who assumes a normal crouch position. Coach will
roll ball to different places behind catcher and will then yell "ball"!
Catcher must go into blocking position then come up quickly, locate the
ball, and throw to first base. The first baseman will read the location
of the ball and will call 'inside' for a ball to the left of the first
baseline or 'outside' for a ball to the right of the baseline. If this
drill is practiced often enough it will virtually eliminate a catcher panicking
on a dropped 3rd strike.
Another variation of this
drill has a runner on 3rd base (less than two outs). The catcher looks
the runner back to 3rd, delivers the throw to first, then positions himself
for a throw back to the plate. Baserunner decides if he should attempt
to go home.
Submitted by: Mark McCarty