Importance of a good F2

[James Walker]

I found out the importance of a good F2 last night. Hers the sitch. Bottom 1. R3. There's a passed ball. R3 tryes to score, but he's slower than Christmas. He's out by a good step and a half. I bang him out to end the inning. While the coach starts warming Fm1 up, I tell him to hurry up the F2. He says to me, its gonna be a kid that's never caught, the other one isn't playin cause he has an additude. Well, here comes the new F2. I kid you not, this kids no more than 3' flat. I tell him to take one and throw it down. Ball comes down d*** and Broadway and hits him square in the cp. Oh great. Long story short, I took at least 15 shots last night. Lesson learned, never take your F2s for granted and don't go cheap with gear.

[BRUMP]

Nothing worse than a crap catcher. Youll be wearing more pitches than hes catching.

[Richvee]

Did a small diamond rec game a few weeks back. I swear I was going to tel F2 "Give me that mitt...You're not using it"

[JaxRolo]

I made the catcher of a 14u team cry last week after 2 consecutive pitches went through his legs and both hit me on the right ankle.

I told him "YOU HAVE TO STOP THOSE". He started crying.

[James Walker]

Imagine that, jax makin a kid cry. All kidding aside, why do coaches let these kids go in there? They're way too small and you can see them flinch when the pitch comes in.

[BRUMP]

I made the catcher of a 14u team cry last week after 2 consecutive pitches went through his legs and both hit me on the right ankle.

I told him "YOU HAVE TO STOP THOSE". He started crying.

Gee Jax making a kid cry.

http://www.rivercityumps.com/Pics/Coat2.jpg

Ya very unusual.

[Richvee]

I made the catcher of a 14u team cry last week after 2 consecutive pitches went through his legs and both hit me on the right ankle.

I told him "YOU HAVE TO STOP THOSE". He started crying.

Gee Jax making a kid cry.

http://www.rivercity.../Pics/Coat2.jpg

Ya very unusual.

That's a clown post, bro :nod:

[Dannytheman]

I love a good F2. I have had my share of bad ones, and when a coach decides to do this, I get into helper mode. I coach the F2, or make subtle recommendations.

"You know you can stop those if you.........."

"If you line up tighter, you might see that better,"

"If you move up/back you can catch those."

"You do know it's your job to protect me,right?"

"Open the glove and place it front of the ball, please."

"Where are you in the lineup son?"

[johnnyg08]

When a coach puts an inexperienced F2 in front of me, it's likely to be a long day for that team. I need to have confidence in who is working in front of me.

With nobody on and he takes one off of the forearm for me, I know it is going to be a good day.

[carolinablue]

I made the catcher of a 14u team cry last week after 2 consecutive pitches went through his legs and both hit me on the right ankle.

I told him "YOU HAVE TO STOP THOSE". He started crying.

You big bully.

I made a horse laugh once, then I made him cry.

[grayhawk]

I was doing a Bronco game on Sunday and a new F2 comes in for the 4th inning. On the throw down, he beans his F1 right in the back. The funny thing is, F1 was crouching down when this happened - the throw was just that bad. I'm thinking it's going to be a long inning and sure enough, I take one in the forearm.

The day before, I did a JV game and had almost forgotton how great it was to be behind a good F2.

[KLAH316]

I made the catcher of a 14u team cry last week after 2 consecutive pitches went through his legs and both hit me on the right ankle.

I told him "YOU HAVE TO STOP THOSE". He started crying.

I have told my share of catchers similar things.... "Seriously" and "You have to at least TRY to catch that" are two of my regular lines!

[James Walker]

My favorite is the 10u F2. Sets up in the back of the cut out and wonders why I keep trying to push him closer. I tell them to help their pitcher out and move closer. Good for about three pitches then back to square one.

[grayhawk]

My favorite is the 10u F2. Sets up in the back of the cut out and wonders why I keep trying to push him closer. I tell them to help their pitcher out and move closer. Good for about three pitches then back to square one.

It's tempting to say something, but I can just hear it now, "Coach, he TOLD me to move up" after a CI. Crap, meet fan.

At that level, I have mentioned something to the coach (not during tournament play) about where his F2 is setting up, but I prefer not to tell the player directly.

[krwill96]

If he is setting up waaaay to far back just set up earlier and force him to be closer to the plate. They're creatures of habit. He will eventually set up in the right spot.

[Ring 'em Up]

If he is setting up waaaay to far back just set up earlier and force him to be closer to the plate. They're creatures of habit. He will eventually set up in the right spot.

 

it's what i've started doing.. it works well.

ron-

[Mike Prince]

When I have a bad F2 I try to work with him as much as I can without stepping over the coaching line.  But instead of telling him he needs to catch the ball I will give him a bit of a comment like "thanks catch, now I have a bruise on my left leg to match the one on my right leg I got when we were out here last inning".  That usually puts the idea in his head that he at least needs to take the hit instead of me even if he's not going to use his glove.  Works for at least a few pitches in most cases

[grayhawk]

Had a 13U F2 last weekend come out in the first inning and introduce himself:

 

"Hi, my name's Andy and I'll be taking care of you today."

 

Smart kid, well coached, or both!

[JaxRolo]

Had a 13U F2 last weekend come out in the first inning and introduce himself:

"Hi, my name's Andy and I'll be taking care of you today."

Smart kid, well coached, or both!

I have also heard that. Pretty cool.

[Ring 'em Up]

Had a 13U F2 last weekend come out in the first inning and introduce himself:

 

"Hi, my name's Andy and I'll be taking care of you today."

 

Smart kid, well coached, or both!

 

BOTH..!

 

ron-

[James Walker]

I had a kid come out last year. Game was way out of reach so the small talk started.

Me: so catch how long you been catching?

C: oh, its my first time

M: you're doing a great job

This kid was awesome. If a pitch missed he asked where and relayed it to the pitcher. Blocked just about everything. I think the only time I got tagged was a tip that went from his helmet and deflected to me. It was awesome. I've had two of his games and its simply amazing to call behind him.

[Typhoon]

Back about 15 years ago I had a 14U game. I was watching the pitcher warming up and he was really throwing some heat. I'd say 80 -85 mph, but when the ball left his hand he had no idea where it was going. Along with this, F2 was only catching about 65 mph. I thought this is gonna be a long game. Well along about the 4th inning after taking a few shots to areas that were reasonably well protected I took a foul off the right shoulder that put me down. It seems that the CP shoulder cap became detached and I took it with no protection at all. The BU got dressed and took the plate and I tried the bases but trying to run was agony. Luckily another ump from our association was in the stands and he took over, and I went to the hospital for x-rays. Nothing broken just a severe bone bruise. That is the only time that I can remember not finishing a game due to an injury.

Tony

[JaxRolo]

Back about 15 years ago I had a 14U game. I was watching the pitcher warming up and he was really throwing some heat. I'd say 80 -85 mph, but when the ball left his hand he had no idea where it was going. Along with this, F2 was only catching about 65 mph. I thought this is gonna be a long game. Well along about the 4th inning after taking a few shots to areas that were reasonably well protected I took a foul off the right shoulder that put me down. It seems that the CP shoulder cap became detached and I took it with no protection at all. The BU got dressed and took the plate and I tried the bases but trying to run was agony. Luckily another ump from our association was in the stands and he took over, and I went to the hospital for x-rays. Nothing broken just a severe bone bruise. That is the only time that I can remember not finishing a game due to an injury.

Tony

 

WIMP!!!!  

[CentralOhioUmp30]

Bad F2s is one of the reasons I won't be working any 12U or younger games this year. I have a couple premier 13U games, but everything else is 14U and above.

Looking forward to my first tournament of the year (14U) starting in two weeks. They'll have some good catchers!

[StrikeToWin]

Last night working 9U solo (first ever solo game) and on teams F2 is setting up and seeing a lot of balls in the dirt.  F1 was bouncing every 3rd pitch in front of the plate.  F2 started standing up and throwing his legs together to take them off the shin guards.  Did reasonably well keeping it in front of him.  I laughed every time he did it but only took one shot off my own shin guards.  Coach finally replaced that F1.