How to Receive Throws from a Catcher at Second Base

We got a question from Coach Hughes. Cameron Hughes says, "What is your opinion on where you should receive the baseball for tags? And what to teach at what age, do you suggest to teach it different at different bases, or to always straddle the bag?" I think coach Cameron, that that is a great question, right because you have rookie ball kids that you're trying to teach to straddle the baseball bag so they know where to go, but then in the MLB go in front of the bag. Coach Steve is gonna explain that they're all right, it depends on the age and what you're trying to teach right? So ...

Yeah definitely. I think using the base is good because it gives your player almost a spot where he knows he has to get to. We see it all the time, he catches or throw the ball down, the short stop will come across and catch the ball here, and then have to go back four or five feet to try to make that tag. Or the guy's getting to the back too late and he's catching the ball back behind the base. So this is just a good visual and a good spot where they have to get to the base, get here early and lock in right over the bag. Again, the ball's gonna travel faster than their [inaudible 00:01:04]. As they get older they get more athletic, then they can come out here. They might be a little bit more athletic, they don't have something between their feet, they don't feel like they're stuck. Right, but if they catch a ball way out here, that guy's gonna be safe.

So at a young age we always teach straddle base, get down low. I can still be athletic, I can still make adjustments. I can make backhand pitch, I can reach this way, but the ball travels faster, so now I'm catching the ball directly over the base. I'm going straight down and up and I'm selling it to the umpire. Instead of catching the ball way out here, reaching and trying to find that run.

Coach Steve can you give us an example of if it's thrown from the left fielder and you're gonna put the tag on, can you show that as well?

Yeah definitely. So I'm a second basemen now, I'll say that throwing the ball from left field and I'm gonna get to the base here. Again, straddle on the bag. I'm in an athletic position, I'm here, I'm waiting for the throw so I'm in a position where I can just turn, and I know exactly where my feet are. Right, I don't wanna get out here, yell two, two, two, and then get stuck trying to reach or trying to find 'em. I know I'm over the base, right, so he's gonna throw that ball, I'm straddling, I'm open, I can see the royal when I turn. Straight down and up and I'm selling. Hopefully these answers help, keep the questions rolling in. That's a great question and there is no right or wrong way to teach it, but we prefer teaching straddling the base at a young age.

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[gfcpastor]

Many 11 & 12 year old kids struggle catch the ball and apply the tag while straddling the bag because they’re thinking of the runner beating down on them. If the throw is off toward the first base side, they’re stepping right into the sliding runner. That’s why I prefer to position the fielder in front of the bag. Offline throws are more easily caught. And you can always tag the runner high if need be.

[svmathtutor]

If the catcher's throw looks like it's going to short hop you, should you take a step toward the catcher to catch his throw before it short hops and then sweep tag? Or should you allow the ball to short hop and trust that you get a good hop that is easy to handle?