Posts Tagged ‘catchers supplies’
The 7th Inning Stretch (Part 2)
That was tradition number one. The second tradition that began that day was the first seventh-inning stretch. President Taft, as you may or may not know, was a very large man. At 300 pounds, he was the largest president our country has ever had. That opening day game between the Athletics and the Senators was beginning to drag on.
In the middle of the seventh-inning, President Taft just couldn’t sit still on that hard wooden seat much longer, so he stood up to “stretch his legs” and move around a bit. When he did that, everyone else did the same thing. Who knows, if he was sitting on a catchers mitt, we might not have a seventh-inning stretch today? At any rate, he didn’t-and we do. Now, for some other theories…
My Catchers Career Ended Early
I got to play catcher for two years in Little League and then it was over. There was another kid on our team who wanted to play catcher, but I was better than he was so I got to be the main catcher. Being a kid, I didn’t know much about politics, but I soon learned. This kid’s dad decided to coach a team the next year and picked me to be on his team.
On our first day of practice, our “manager” took all the catchers equipment and gave it to his son and said that he would be the starting catcher. I asked the manager where I was going to play and he said I would be back-up catcher and utility player. Not only did I not get to play catcher that season, but no other position either! The next season, the same guy picked me again, so my dad pulled me out of baseball. Politics…
Cleveland Faces an Uncertain 2010
Just two years ago, The Cleveland Indians lost the ALCS to the Boston Red Sox, and it’s been all downhill since. They finished 2009 tied for last place in the American League Central with a record of 65-97. And as usual, when loses go up-fan attendance goes down. (Except for the Chicago Cubs, of course, who could lose ALL their games and STILL fill Wrigley Field…no one has an explanation for this!)
In mid-2009, the Indians traded away lefty Cliff Lee, the 2008 American League Cy Young award winner, and catcher-first baseman Victor Martinez who is good whether he is wearing his catchers equipment or his first base mitt. They now have a very young ballclub that could go in either direction. Their new manager Manny Acta was hired in October to try to make sure that direction is up…
The Carefree Days of Little League
Even though it was many, many years ago, I can still remember the fun and excitement of playing Little League baseball. It was a much simpler time, well before radar guns and the all-important “pitch count.” Getting a new baseball uniform with stirrups and your own baseball hat made you feel just like a big leaguer. Back in those days, (it was the late 1950’s) the parents weren’t even too bad. I don’t remember anybody cussing out the ump.
I played Little League for about three or four years. The two positions I was best at were second base and catcher. But oh, how I loved to play catcher. I got to wear all that gear; mask, chest protector, and shin guards. I really felt like a baseball player. I even had my own Wilson catchers mitt. I loved to squat down and give the pitcher a good target and feel the ball “pop” into my mitt. It was such fun whether we won or lost, but winning was better. Oh, the carefree days of Little League Baseball…
The Catcher’s Many Roles
Before Minnesota Twins slugger Joe Mauer redefined expectations for the position, catchers were normally touted for their defense – period. But unlike other position players, the catcher is charged with many disparate tasks. First and most obviously, he must make sure that no ball the pitcher throws gets away from him. Beyond that, he is expected to “call a great game” by helping the pitcher decide whether to throw a fastball, slider, curveball, etc. and at what point in the game.
Finally, the catcher occasionally attempts to throw out a base runner before he can steal second base. Oh, and let’s not forget those desperation throws to the plate when the catcher must snag the ball and block the runner at home. In short, Rawlings catchers mitts see plenty of use in a game situation. While outfielders can afford to stretch and preen during their downtime, a catcher is always having his skills tested.