Catchers
What are the team of Catcher and Pitcher called?
The Battery
How can an OUT be achieved?
Batter Strikes out. A hit ball is caught before it touches the ground. A runner is tagged before reaching the base. A runner is called out for leaving base early. A base runner is touched by a ball hit by their teammate. Base runner interference. Base runner passes another runner.
You are up to bat with a base runner on 2B. Where should you try to drive the ball?
The right side of the field to advance the runner.
You are on 2B with teammate on 3B. The other team is having a conference at the Pitching Plate. You decide to walk over to your teammate at 3B to chat about the play. The Umpire calls you out. Why?
A conference at the Pitching Plate is not the same as a time out. The game is still live just like it is at the "end" of a play. You are only allowed to leave your base during a time out.
What is the Catchers role as far as positioning the other fielders during a game?
Catchers are one of, it not the Leader on the field. They should know the batters tendencies and be able to move fielders into probable positions. For example if the catcher knows that the batter tends to pull the ball you should direct your 3rd baseman to closer to the line. Be LOUD!
You have a batter in the box with 0 Balls and 2 Strikes. Should your next call be for a change up?
No. The batter will need to shorten their swing and be ready to hit anything close to the strike zone. You should call any normal speed pitch outside the strike zone. You have a pitch to waste.
You are at bat and have 2 called strikes. On the next pitch you bunt and the ball goes foul. What will the Umpire call?
Strike 3. Any bunt that goes foul with 2 strikes will be called a strike and the batter will be out. This is why you rarely see a batter bunt with 2 strikes.
You are a base runner on 2B. There is also a runner on 3B. Your teammate at the plate hits a ground ball to the pitcher. The pitcher is caught off guard and tosses the ball to the catcher. The runner on 3rd is now in a pickle between Home and 3rd. As the runner on 2B what should you do?
You should immediately get to 3B and stay there. Your teammate made a poor decision to attempt to score on a ball hit in front of the pitcher and is at her own peril. With you moving to 3B it will allow the batter to advance to 2B keeping runners in scoring position.
What is a DP or DH Player?
The Designated Player is similar to a Designated Hitter. A DP is a player in the 9 person lineup who can just play offence (hit) and sit on the bench. In some cases they will play defense and at some point in the game be replaced by a Flex player.
When a batter fouls a ball backward and it hits the Umpire what should you do?
Call time and go visit your pitcher or coach. Give the umpire some time to recover from the hit. They will call you back when they are ready to go again.
There is a ground ball hit into the infield with no runners on. What should you do?
Run down to 1B to back up the throw.
You notice that a teammate has missed a couple of signs during the game. What do you do?
Good teammates help each other out. You should approach the player and offer your assistance in reviewing the signs. Don't do this in a negative way. Just say, "Hey, I noticed that you missed a couple signs this inning. Let's go over those."
Where should you set up to receive a Change-Up?
Change ups should NEVER be thrown down the middle of the plate. They should be thrown low and outside. Line up outside and expect the ball to be low or in the dirt.
What is a FLEX Player?
A FLEX Player will be the 10th batter on a lineup card and will primarily play the field as the other half of the Designated Player on the line up card. Occasionally the FLEX player will hit or run for the DP.
What happens if a catcher reaches too far forward to receive the pitch and the batter hits their glove with their bat?
The Catcher is called for Catchers interference and the batter is awarded 1B. If there are runners on they can advance as well.
There are runners on 1st and 2nd Base. The ball is hit into the dirt right in front of you. What should you do?
Throw to first to get the out.
There is a position on the field that is not allowed to wear jewelry on their wrist or anything that matches the color of the softball. Which position is it?
The Pitcher. They are not allowed to wear any jewelry, arm bands, or distracting items on their throwing arm. They are also not allowed to wear anything distracting to the batter or anything that blends with the color of the softball.
What is obstruction?
Obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner.
A batter hits a pop up between home and 1B. The Catcher, Pitcher and 1B converge on it. Who has priority on the play?
Who ever calls for it first.
Why should a Catcher quickly throw the ball back to the Pitcher after receiving it?
After every pitch throw the ball with some authority back to the pitcher. For one, it looks better. Two, if you lob the ball back it makes you look lazy. Three, a runner who's quick enough and is paying attention will steal while you lob the ball to the pitcher.
There is a runner at 2B and the batter hits a long ball to Right Field. What should you do?
Cover home plate and position yourself to be ready to catch and tag the runner.
You are up to bat with a runner on 1B. You hit a fly ball to Right Field that looks like it is going to be caught. The runner at first is half way between 1B and 2B watching the play and is sure that the ball will be caught. They quickly head back to 1B. At the same time you are approaching 1B and are attempting to round it. During this you pass the other runner. The ball is dropped and you stay at 1B and your teammate advances to 2B. The Umpire calls you out at 1B. Why?
You passed the runner retreating to 1B before they were called out. Runners are not allowed to pass each other on the base path.
Who is the only defensive player to start in foul territory?
The Catcher.
The Catcher has called an infield meeting at the Pitching rubber. As an outfielder what should you be doing?
Meet at Center Field and talk about what is going on. If your not sure yet encourage your fellow outfielders and make sure your looking for the call so you can determine where you should be for the next play.
What is a pitch-out?
A pitch-out is when your coach calls for the pitcher to pitch a ball way outside of the batter so that the catcher can receive the pitch clear of the batter to make a quick throw to 2B for an out.