Softball Catcher Drills – Framing Pitches

Purpose: To teach softball catchers how to make more pitches look like strikes. Framing pitches does not mean pulling or yanking pitches back toward the plate; it is simply an attempt to widen the plate to increase the chance of getting the corners called as strikes.

Procedure: The catcher can work with another catcher or a coach. One catcher sets up in the ready position, approximately 5-6 feet from her partner. If you're using two catchers, one player at a time throws the ball to the other. Start with only one pitch location at a time, for example, high and inside. It's better to start with inside pitches because they are the easiest to frame. The idea is to catch the side of the ball for inside and outside pitches and the top hald of the ball for high and low pitches. On all pitches catchers should not allow the hand to move away from the plate after the ball hits the glove. Throw 10 balls to each spot: high and inside, low and inside, high and outside, low and outside. Work repetitions with one pitch location at a time until mastered.