Catcher
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- Catcher is also a general term for a fielder who catches the ball in cricket
Catcher is a position played in baseball. The catcher crouches behind home plate and receives the ball from the pitcher. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the catcher is assigned the number 2.
Catching is arguably the most difficult and important task in baseball. Positioned behind home plate, the catcher can see the whole field, and therefore is in the best position to direct and lead the other players in a play. The catcher typically calls the pitches by means of hand signals, and therefore requires awareness of both the pitcher's mechanics and strengths and the batter's weaknesses. In addition, because the catcher's job is to catch pitches which often come in at speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour, the catcher wears protective equipment including a mask, chest protector, knee pads, and extra-thick glove (see photo).
Injury
Despite being heavily padded, catchers routinely suffer the worst physical abuse in baseball. The catcher has the physically risky job of blocking the plate from runners. Catchers are also constantly getting bruised and battered by pitches, and have a long history of knee ailments stemming from the awkward crouched stance they assume. Because of this, catchers have a reputation as being slow baserunners; even if they have speed at the beginning of their careers, the eventual toll taken on their knees by catching slows them down.
Famous catchers
Some famous catchers include:
- Johnny Bench
- Yogi Berra
- Bob Boone
- Roy Campanella
- Gary Carter
- Mickey Cochrane
- Bill Dickey
- Carlton Fisk
- Josh Gibson
- Gabby Hartnett
- Elston Howard
- Javy López
- Thurman Munson
- Mike Piazza
- Ivan Rodriguez
- Ray Schalk
- Ted Simmons
- Joe Torre
- Jason Varitek
External link
- Stats, awards, photos and trivia related to catchers (http://www.baseballcatchers.com/)
- Website on the history and evolution of catchers' equipment (http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/equip.htm)