The Art of Catching: The Secrets and Techniques of Baseball's Most Demanding Position
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The Art of Catching: The Secrets and Techniques of Baseball's Most Demanding Position
There are libraries of information and expert instruction on virtually every aspect of baseball—except catching. The situation is ironic because the catcher is the crucial defensive player on the field, who handles the ball on nearly every pitch. Catching is also technically very difficult, and it is essential that the techniques be learned properly. Only a handful of people truly know the position and are able to explain it thoroughly; but none of them has had a book or video available to the general public. Now, Brent Mayne’s The Art of Catching: The Secrets and Techniques of Baseball’s Most Demanding Position fills this unaccountable void.
A comprehensive overview of technique, The Art of Catching provides cutting-edge information on every crucial aspect of the position. The information and techniques are applicable to every level of the game from Little League on up to the big leagues, so both novices and pros stand to gain from a careful study of this manual.
Mayne is really an ideal author for this type of book, with unimpeachable credentials. He played sixteen seasons in the big leagues and caught 1,143 games, which ties him for 75th on the all-time list. He distinguished himself and earned respect for mastering such fundamentals as handling pitchers, blocking the plate, and throwing out base runners. In addition, he has the unique distinction of being the only catcher of the twentieth century to win a game as a pitcher. Mayne retired in 2004 and has subsequently devoted himself to philanthropic causes; now, he’s out to share the fundamentals and well-kept secrets of what his subtitle aptly dubs “baseball’s most demanding position.â€
Specific topics covered in The Art of Catching include: stances, glove mechanics, blocking, throwing to bases, back picking, pitchouts, calling games, working with pitchers, handling pop flies, making plays at the plate, drills, and qualities necessary to play in the majors. Mayne notes:
I demystify the catching position and make the point clear that if I could do it, you can too. How am I so sure? I have been to the top of the mountain, playing with or against the best in the world, and I will tell you from experience there is plenty of room up there if you can just play solid defense. The techniques I show you, if practiced until they become second nature, will allow you to get the most out of your God-given talent and maximize your potential.
The book also includes many helpful photos and illustrations, summaries of key points at the end of each chapter, thought-provoking quotations, and a handy index. Undeniably, it will prove to be the reference manual for coaches and aspiring catchers everywhere.