FG on Fox: On the Differences Between Framing and Blocking

by
August 25, 2014

Recently, we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about a catcher’s ability to frame or receive the pitch in order to get more strike calls. However, that isn’t the only job of a backstop — blocking pitches in the dirt is a far more visible skill to most. Does being good at one affect your ability to be good at the other?

Listen to the skills that different catchers have listed as important to framing a pitch so that the umpire might best call it a strike:

“The less movement you have, the more likely he’s going to call it a strike.” — Jonathan Lucroy.
“Get good at sticking it.” — Jonathan Lucroy
“The emphasis is shifting to being as quiet as you can about receiving the ball and giving the umpire the best view of the pitch that you can.” — Jason Castro
“That’s part of what I’ve integrated into my catching this year is thinking about the angles in which I set up.” — Jason Castro
“Give the lowest target possible.” — Hank Conger
“My stance is narrower.” — Hank Conger
“I usually ask the umpire if I should get lower.” — Travis d’Arnaud

Now listen to the skills involved in blocking a pitch:

Read the rest on Just a Bit Outside.

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With a phone full of pictures of pitchers' fingers, strange beers, and his two toddler sons, Eno Sarris can be found at the ballpark or a brewery most days. Read him here, writing about the A's or Giants at The Athletic, or about beer at October. Follow him on Twitter @enosarris if you can handle the sandwiches and inanity.

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fsoyer
11 years ago

The fact that there is a discussion about pitch framing at all is the best reason for automating ball/strike calls. The art of tricking judges into thinking that something is better than it really is, is something that should stay in figure skating or boxing. It’s like playing basketball without a hoop, and having a guy stand there and determine if a shot “went in” or not.

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