FEATURED ON

with FEATURED CATCHER - Gia, 11

Framing the inside pitch was an area of my game I worked hard on to improve recently.  I learned it is important to reach out and away from my body when framing an inside pitch to avoid hurting my thumb or wrist. The safest way to frame an inside pitch is by keeping my glove side elbow outside of my knee.  Keeping my glove side arm outside of my knee frees my wrist and mitt to cradle the ball into the zone safely. 

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I also learned it is important for catchers to have a strong forearm and wrist to control the ball.  Clean framing happens when I control the ball and not allow the ball to control my glove. I need to squeeze the ball in the pocket.  Focus on squeezing my thumb and pointer finger together when catching a pitch.  The catcher becomes the shock absorber for the ball. 

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The catcher wants to reach out and away from their body when cleanly framing the inside pitch to protect their thumb and wrist from getting jammed.  If the ball is going to be a ball let it be a ball.  Avoid pulling or jerking the glove toward the zone.  Sticking or cradling the ball in the zone with my glove will help the umpire see the strike.