Framing Pitches

[Umpire in Chief]

A few of the posts in the "Catcher you showing you up" thread talked about framing pitches and got me thinking.

When most people talk about framing pitches they actually mean "jerking pitches" - Pulling a ball from outside the strike zone into the zone. I hate this. It doesn't fool anybody other than those who want to be fooled -- The coaches and parents.

Making things even worse some kids try and "frame" good pitches. I've told catchers, "That was a good pitch and I was going to get it, but when you pulled it in, you're essentially telling everybody the pitch was outside. Stick that pitch and I'll have a chance of getting it."

Sticking pitches. When I say sticking pitches I mean the catcher holding the pitch where he caught it. This can be a good thing or a bad thing. Most of the time I like it, but only if the catcher sticks it for no longer than 1 second. Sticking it longer starts to run the risk of looking like he's showing you up.

One of the better HS catchers I've been behind virtually calls the game for you. When it is a definite ball or strike he's already returned the ball to the pitcher before I've made my call but on close ones he sticks. I asked him once not to do it that way and to either quick return all the pitches or stick them all because I said it looks like when he does it on those pitches he's asking for a strike and makes my call look less authoritative. He continued. During a stoppage in play he told me, "I know what you're going to call when I send it back like that. I hold it when it's close."

I told him that's exactly the problem. So for the last inning or two the stuck the strikes and quick returned the balls. He was really accurate and honest about the location. He made the game easy to call. He'd make a good umpire one day.

Then there is the really good framing. This may be hard to write effectively, but this is where the top tier talented catchers on close pitches don't catch the ball square in the mitt. where the ball entered a pure 90 degrees from the palm. These catchers catch the ball in the hinge almost parallel to their palm. Almost like their holding out their gloved hand out to shake your hand. This gives the appearance that a ball is actually 4" or so more inside than it really is and it looks great. I've had only one catcher who can do this well and boy was it a treat for me. It took me an inning or two to figure out how he was catching it and when I had that eureka moment I actually smiled and thought damn that's good. I tell you what he was getting some pitches that way too and nobody said a word. Believe me the times I missed one they let me know. Once I realized what was happening I realized how good a catcher he was and how hard he was working to work with me. He wasn't fooling or trying to fool me, he just had a beautiful way of catching those just a bit off pitches.

I know others have varying thoughts on framing/sticking pitches...

[Penguin]

I've only had one catcher try to frame anything this year. He was great. Held obvious strikes and those he thought were strikes for a 1 count and then threw back to pitcher. He was very honest about it. If he held for a 1 count and I called ball - coach might ask where it was and he would let coach know it was close but low or in or something like that.

The rest of the catchers I had this season - well let's just say I did a lot of praying that they would catch the ball, or at least deflect it away from me. :D

[Astrosdawg07]

Then there is the really good framing. This may be hard to write effectively, but this is where the top tier talented catchers on close pitches don't catch the ball square in the mitt. where the ball entered a pure 90 degrees from the palm. These catchers catch the ball in the hinge almost parallel to their palm. Almost like their holding out their gloved hand out to shake your hand. This gives the appearance that a ball is actually 4" or so more inside than it really is and it looks great. I've had only one catcher who can do this well and boy was it a treat for me. It took me an inning or two to figure out how he was catching it and when I had that eureka moment I actually smiled and thought damn that's good. I tell you what he was getting some pitches that way too and nobody said a word. Believe me the times I missed one they let me know. Once I realized what was happening I realized how good a catcher he was and how hard he was working to work with me. He wasn't fooling or trying to fool me, he just had a beautiful way of catching those just a bit off pitches.

I know others have varying thoughts on framing/sticking pitches...

This is what I call a 4 frame catcher, these are the ones that are fun to work with. Its almost like he is another umpire on the field as well as your friend. This type catcher takes great pride in his job, but also has a lot of respect for his umpire.

[blue32]

A lot of the good ones you know are good and "get it" because they usually introduce themselves to me before the game, and when i give them my name, they ask if it's ok to address me by name. I love those types of kids, they are good at what they do, very respectful, and never show you up. I'll admit, when I get a good catcher that takes care of me and backs my calls and keeps me out of harm's way, he gets the benefit of the doubt on borderline pitches. He takes care of me, I'll take care of him.

[crazyaboutcoues]

I enjoy talking and joking with the catchers... when I miss a strike on the corner I usually tell the catcher that I blew that pitch and they say "it's cool blue; just don't miss it again" ha ha. As far as framing, I love watching a good catcher work. Like said before they make it easy to call that strike that is kissing the corners. When they try to bring in a ball that is obviously outside the corners, I jokingly tell them " now your reaching son" they usually get a kick out of it.