Catcher

baseball · defense · strategy · sports

Catches every pitch. The catcher crouches right behind home plate and catches every single pitch the pitcher throws, whether it's thrown to strike out a batter or thrown way off target.

Wears protective gear. Catchers wear special padding, a chest protector, and a metal mask because they get hit by fast pitches, wild throws, and sliding runners constantly.

Calls the game. The catcher uses hand signals to tell the pitcher which type of pitch to throw next, basically running the game's strategy from behind the plate.

Tags runners out. When a runner tries to steal a base or score, the catcher catches the ball and throws it to other players or tags the runner themselves to get them out.

Similar to cricket. The catcher's job is a lot like the wicket-keeper in cricket, who also crouches behind where the ball is pitched and protects a key area.