Coached many years and I had a couple of catchers that were really good at chatting behind the plate. I remember one batter got so frustrated he looked down at him and just yelled out "Why don't you just shut the hell up" and my catcher's reply was, "I'd really like to but my coach over there told me that the best part of my game is talking so if I shut up he'll bench me."
I’m a catcher and my friends cousin was on the other team and swung at a pitch that I couldn’t catch and I started to laugh at him. So he hit me with a pitch
"This SOB is throwin' a two-hit shutout, and he's shakin' me off. Do you believe that shit? Charlie, here comes the deuce, and when you speak of me, speak well."
I don't know why but that is my favorite line of the whole movie. Along with the cocksucker ejection when the manager turns his hat around and says what the fuck is that?!!!! and runs out the dugout
Back in travel team days. Was kid i was in 5th grade with moved a city over. He was the catcher and always talked during at bats. Most memorable lines that i recalled was. Just as pitcher was in motion hed say ( DONT hit this 1 your moms looking the other way) Or he say shit your girl just fell on the bleachers....we all knew his tactics but used to still mess with us.
I always did, but it depended on the player and *never* when they were in or even approaching the box. Baseball players more than any other sport are head cases and you can tell by their approach to the plate whether they were chatty or were in their personal "game zone". Some guys would automatically think a catcher was trying to F with their heads, so I was very selective with whom I would chat. I was chatty as a hitter as well but not all players are.
I can relate to the not hearing what's going on around you while you're in the zone. I never got to hit much while playing varsity HS ball but I pitched a lot. A few teams in the conference were known to try and get in opposing pitchers' heads but once I put my foot on the rubber and got the sign from the catcher someone could catch fire in the stands and I wouldn't notice.
Matt, this is such a cool channel. I don't know how I only just found it now. Whenever I meet a pro player of any sport, I always like to ask them questions that don't typically get asked, pretty much what your videos are about. Keep it up.
I've been to two games in Syracuse and one thing I noticed was that (at least the first time through the line up) every batter would reach over and touch the arm of the catcher and the umpire. Seemed like a greeting and then it was take a few swings, get into the stance, and get set for the pitch. I thought it was very professional to do it, as it seemed like the batters were genuinely showing respect to both at the plate.
World Series, either ‘57, ‘58. Hank Aaron comes to bat with bat label down. (bat label should be up so you can read, means bat grain in correct position.) Yogi said, “Hank you’re holding the bat wrong, you can’t read the label.” Aaron replied, “Yogi , I’m up here to hit, not read”.
This past spring in my son's local church league there was a catcher that would talk to him at the plate . More nonsense stuff to psych him out I think. Funny thing is, they had a really intense rivalry. The kid got so mad when my son dodged a tag at home plate. It was very friendly and kind of fun. We went over to the field one evening when we were not playing and the coach was short a player. He asked if my son wanted to fill in. He and this other kid ( catcher) had a lot of fun talking to each other.
So there's no smack talk or chirping between catcher and batter? Like in the Sandlot when Ham Porter says "You know, if my dog was as ugly as you. I'd shave his butt and tell him to walk backwards." or "Is that your sister out there in left field, naked? She's naked?"
I always threw pretty hard but had a bit of a wild streak. In my final year in little league I had basically outgrown the tiny field and was throwing very hard. I had a catcher who used to take full advantage of that telling each batter fabricated stories about me causing concussions, broken ankles etc. It was great. Definitely in the top 3 catchers I've thrown to. Kid could rake too. Great memories.
I was batting in high school and I had long hair to my shoulders. We were playing an out of town game. The catchers dad had been riding me the whole game because I was also pitching and they couldn't touch me that day. I came up to bat and this guys dad was saying my hair was cute and was blowing kisses at me from behind the backstop. He then told his son, the catcher to give me a kiss. I then turned to the ump and said loud enough for this guy to hear me..." there sure are a lot of fags in this town, aren't there..." the ump laughed and the guy behind the backstop looked embarrassed and stop messing with me. This was way back in 1972. Good times. The good ole days when you could purposely bean a batter and get away with it. Except you might get the same when you came up to bat.
I was the catcher always talking to the umps. They would always pause for the pitch but pick back up right after calling the pitch. I could tell it annoyed some of the hitters. As a catcher you are used to a lot of crap going on an still find the ball an catch it. I loved it. Still have my glove.
Yogi said in an interview that he talked to everybody even the umps... Ted Williams used to tell him to "shut up". He was even quoted as saying that he used to throw dirt on Mini Minoso's shoes... But he said that he never talked when the ball was on its way.
I don't remember the catcher ,maybe Yogi Berra, I'm not sure but anyhow one of the old time popular catchers would engage in a conversation, just to talk about opposites. All I remember is that he was a star. When I do some research, I will definitely text you. Great work!
I played catcher all my life little league until señor year of high school. I did talk to the ump sometimes.. And this is only sometimes in between at bat's just to see if I could get calls but I didn't talk to batters or to umps during at bat's. As a catcher I was trying to focus too at what pitch to call next and actually catch it.
Funny to hear you mention Iannetta, I played against him in HS, and he was the same way back then too. Quiet, went about his business behind the dish, let me do my thing in the box.
When I was playing in Little League, I actually had a batter chirp me while I was on the mound. Nothing major, just a "c'mon Jason (me), put it in there..." We went to school together, and he just so happened to be the son of newly enshrined Hall of Famer Jack Morris, which was kinda neat in itself. Come to think about it, I think I struck him out in that AB. But when I moved to behind the plate, I never really said anything to the batters.
Matt...I would like to hear more about three things 1. Catcher and Umpire chatter...what types of things are being said 2. Umpire or catcher mechanics after one of them gets hit with a ball. I notice if the catcher gets hit the umpire sweeps the plate, walks the ball out to the pitcher, etc to let them recover I assume. 3. Umpire and hitter chatter. I have seen many hitters seem to ask the ump a question. I assume typically a questions about pitch location, like "did you have that pitch low" etc. Looking forward to hearing...
I can only imagine... This information is great... cause I have always wondered! I played baseball in high school and watched the Braves win it with my grandfather. You can't replace those moments.
“Can you keep it down back there?” LOL. Good stuff, Matt! Too bad about that one catcher who ignored you. Would have taken him one second to simply reply “hey”. It’s not like you were expecting him to perform a dramatic monologue. Rude, man.
You didn't know it was mostly just a simple greeting? I thought every baseball fan knew the small amount of "chatter" you see between hitter and catcher, and first baseman and runner, were just mostly friendly greetings.
I had a coach in high school who told me to chat 'em up as much as possible to distract the batters, more of a chatter at them than with them. I did that until an umpire stopped me in the first round of a state tournament game my sophomore year. He told me he was not going to tolerate that kind of unsportsmanlike behavior. We lost that game, but I never did it again through high school and American Legion ball.
As a catcher I could argue a ball/strike call or tell ump, "he's hitting his spot, we need that pitch" or "you missed that one" as long as I didn't turn around. I've had countless umps say, "I missed that one" or give me one and say, "we're even." Had a LL umpire in Richmond named, Vanderspeigel. He'd put left hand on my left side, right hand on my right shoulder, and his chin on my left shoulder. Everything's in that box was a strike. Now Richmond in the summer is infernal and having this guy leaning on me and with his hands on my waist and shoulder was not only annoying, but it was hot as hell. So I call time, jog out to the mound and tell pitcher to throw an inside fastball to my glove. So I set up for a high inside fastball and as pitch is on it's way I drop my glove. The pitch hits Vanderspeigel square in the mask. Now the pitcher and I are laughing our asses off. The ump takjes off his mask and tosses both of us. It was 100% worth it.
Hey matt, how does catcher/pitcher signals work with a guy at 2nd base? Is the pitcher waving off pitches? Or is he going with whatever the catcher gives him?
It depends on the pitcher and catcher... and depends on the team. Usually teams change signals if the runner at 2nd is a former teammate. I was a pitcher and we had a system where everything could be ignored until I saw the catcher use his right thumb. Every pitcher/catcher can have their own signal system and that is why some pitchers have their "personal catchers"
The most talking between opposing players is the first baseman and the runner. It's almost always friendly chit chat and it can be quite ongoing if it's a long at bat, or if there is a pitching change.
one question i have had for year: Back in the late 90s when the All Star game was played at Fenway, they brought Ted Williams out in a golf cart to the pitcher's mound. He shook hands with the all stars, then asked Mark McGwire if when he fouled a ball straight back, did he smell the burnt wood. I have on a few occasions seen Bryce Harper, after fouling off a ball, he would bring the bat to his face and looked like he smelled the bat. Is this something that really happens, have you done this, or did i imagine Bryce doing it?
Zack Hartmann for me it’s the coach in the dugout sometimes gives me calls to relay to the pitcher but if he doesn’t I call the pitches. The third base coach gives steal signs and bunting signs for the batter.
My son played in a Dominican league in NYC when he was about 10 years old and the catchers would definitely talk to the batters during the at bats in that league.
That sounds about right for Iannetta. Remember last week he stuck out, casually starts walking back to the dugout. Then all of a sudden snaps the bat right over his knee, lol.
When I played catcher from 7th grade to 10th grade(quit ball and ran track cause baseball team couldn't win a damn game for 2 years) and I didn't talk to the batters. I was mostly focused on keeping my pitcher calm and throwing strikes or close to them.
In 1966 I played against Northridge little league All Stars, they went to Williamsport, the Catcher, Barry L would run smack the entire game, made it really difficult we hated him. When I got to high school he was on our team. He drove the other teams crazy it was great we won the division.
When I was in high school, we had a catcher who liked to distract hitters with talk. One hitter was having a really bad day at the plate and Joe was on him really bad and the hitter finally got to his Popeye point and swung the bat backward and hit joe in the throat. The benches cleared and everybody was fighting -- all except Joe.. He was just trying to breathe. He was fine after a couple of days, but it kinda shut him up..
As a catcher, I would always talk to the batter. I would talk about his shoes, how he was leading with his hips too much etc. During one game, the ump told me to shut up or he would toss me from the game. After the inning, my coach told me I could talk as much as I wanted behind the plate as long as I didn't cuss or say anything personal about the batter. I went out the next inning and started up again and got tossed. The coach came out and got tossed also. After the game I apologized to the coach and he told me I did nothing wrong and the ump didn't know the rule book. Told me to keep doing what I was doing because I was helping the picture with his strike count.
Love the channel. Would like some thoughts on this: "If catchers have so much experience seeing different pitches as catchers, why aren't they some of the best hitters?" Not to say there aren't catchers that can hit, but I'm just surprised they don't have a bigger advantage over non-catchers.
Some of them are… but not because they see more pitches. At that level of play, everyone is watching film and getting a feel of the individual pitchers they will face. Still, they need to have all the tools. The slight advantage you are thinking about might exist if their pitcher was traded and now the catcher has history with recognizing his pitch from the ball being thrown. That said, when catching for the pitcher, he knew the call….as a batter he doesn’t.
Found your observations hilarious when you mentioned trying to hit in front of thousands of people while the umpire is talking high def tv's with catcher and fans are screaming from balconies. Trying to filter out the noise while processing pitch arcs requires another level of awareness. Marvel comics should incorporate this Zen like skill into a new MLB baseball character feature storyline. Thanks for sharing your professional experiences with the younger aspiring players. Home run videos and major league cheers!!!!!
So I was a catcher in high school and I have a bit of an eidetic (photographic) memory. I would memory random bits of things from class TV whatever and just start reciting it at the plate. During a long at bat you could lull a batter with a steady cadence, then simply change the pace and really screw up their timing
Thought I struck out on a foul tip, ended up that the baseball ended up in the catcher's family jewelry. As I stepped back in with a 0-2 count, I asked "ya alright?" He goes, "wasn't expecting a shot to the balls!" I chuckled and said, I'll just let the next one go how about that? He chuckles and the pitcher proceeded to throw another pitch down and in, so I responded by pulling it past the first baseman for a single.
It was my understanding that the late Kirby Puckett of the Twins was notorious for chatting non stop. Catchers, umpires, infielders when he was on base (which was often). RIP Puck. Career and life cut short.
Matt, love the channel. Last week after the NY/Bos series it came out that Severino was tipping his pitches. Can you explain this a bit? Was it something he was doing physically or was it stealing signs, etc. thanks!
Thanks!! My guess is he was doing something that tipped off batters. I have 5-10 videos on tipping pitches if you put it into the search box it should come up. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Antonelli Baseball bums me out the Yanks didn’t realize this and correct Sevy. Anyways these are the little details of the game I love! Game within the game... I’ll look for those vids Matt, thanks!
I was a catcher in slow pitch softball and will confess I tried to mess with the batter's minds a little. One game some showed me they didn't like it so I quit doing it.
I had a catcher keep chatting me talking mad shit and that stopped after a nice back swing to the mask and a STFU icing on top. I hate that shit and did not tolerate it at all. I was a very short fused player which was odd because I am a laid back, relaxed, funny guy off the field but when i am in game mode, just the opposite.
At a travel ball tournament last week the umpire got pissed at me for framing a pitch (ya i moved it about 2 inches it’s a bit far) so my coach had to stick me in right field because of that. At my first AB I got a line drive single up the middle, and my 2nd one the catcher said this guy had a nice hit last time, and the umpire said ya but he frames it too much and then I lined out on a Lebron James jump. The catcher said nice job and handed me my bat, but the ump stared me down. He gave our team a bunch of terrible calls in that game, all because I overframed one pitch...
I knew a catcher in high school that if they were up by more then 5 runsand the count was in there favor he would ask what pitch you wanted an you would get it most the time and his son does it now
I read an article years ago that said many hitters, including barry bonds, really liked Mike liberthal of the Phillies. I guess Mike used to chat it up and joke with all the hitters
While I was catching I remember I figured out a way to Bluetooth my catcher's helmet so I can listen to music and take calls at the same time like for my mom and friends I would play the whole 9 Innings coach never knew it Syke!!!!!
I was a catcher in rec leagues. I would say hi to the hitter, maybe a little more. Once the at bat started, I usually didn't say anything to the hitter. There was one time a hitter crushed one, the farthest I've ever seen at my level, but foul. We both just stood there staring at it. When it finally landed, I said, "Wow, you crushed that $%@#$. Oh well, strike two." I saw his shoulders sag and he ended up striking out. That was the last time I said anything like that. I'm not a smack talker and that is just not part of my game.
So you’re saying that scene in Space Jam where the catcher told Mike what pitches they were gonna throw him cuz MJ signed a basketball for his kid didn’t actually happen?
I gotta believe Angel Hernandez is one of them. I'm starting to think that's why Ian Kinsler was thrown out after a ball was called on him. Remember, he turned back to Angel, appeared to not say anything (but he might have been telling him to shut up) and Angel took off his mask and did the throw out.
How did that scene in space jam go? "Low and outside don't swing." Also isn't there a lot more chatter between the first baseman and the runner on first?
As a high school umpire I expect a catcher to talk to me. Most of it is over before the pitcher starts his next delivery. On the occasion that I've had a catcher that wouldn't talk it leads to a long, uneven game.
Yeah, like the opposing catcher wouldn't do it to your team once word got out. Duh. Except for certain incidents, mostly what I observe watching MLB games is mutual sportsmanship and respect. Beyond that, why be a jerk when it's so easy for that to be turned around - see my first point.
Exactly as others have said. It's way too easy for retaliation. Also, these guys have a working relationship with one another. As he said in the video, they're facing each other a dozen times or more a year. Also, most of these guys have been in pro ball for decade, sometimes more, by the time they're in the MLB. They've been teamates with their opponents at some levels. Or were teamates.in the past in the same MLB team. They develop friendly relationships with each other. So they want to be respectful. They're also adults, not immature little kids. You don't hear business partners cracking "your mom" jokes. Why would professional athletes do that? It's funny and charming when a kids acts like that. Not so much whenever a 30 year old man acts like that.
Couldn't disagree more. I wanted to distract the batter and work on his concentration. The umpire was needed as a friend so would talk all the time. The game is fun just like in BULL DURHAM.
Hopefully Chris Iannetta has loosened up a bit now that he's an old man. I really liked it when I got moved from 5 to 2 in Little League because now I had lots more people to talk to. I never played any other position after that, all the way through high school. Sometimes an ump would tell me to shut up, but usually not. Catching is loads of fun -- I can't imagine playing an outfield position, standing out there alone on a hot day trying to stay alert.
I had a little league Kevin Hart. Dude was always trying to make the batters laugh while the pitcher was going through his windup. I wanted to give him some sweet chin music.
I was play in a softball game when I was in the army and I was the catcher and my teammates would get mad at me because I was not talking shit to all of the batters.
Coached many years and I had a couple of catchers that were really good at chatting behind the plate. I remember one batter got so frustrated he looked down at him and just yelled out "Why don't you just shut the hell up" and my catcher's reply was, "I'd really like to but my coach over there told me that the best part of my game is talking so if I shut up he'll bench me."
Epic fucking user name bro
I’m a catcher and my friends cousin was on the other team and swung at a pitch that I couldn’t catch and I started to laugh at him. So he hit me with a pitch
I used to talk, for myself to stay loose. Sometimes, hitters didn't like that too much. Then it was up to the umpire
😭🤣
"This SOB is throwin' a two-hit shutout, and he's shakin' me off. Do you believe that shit? Charlie, here comes the deuce, and when you speak of me, speak well."
I don't know why but that is my favorite line of the whole movie. Along with the cocksucker ejection when the manager turns his hat around and says what the fuck is that?!!!! and runs out the dugout
Back in travel team days. Was kid i was in 5th grade with moved a city over. He was the catcher and always talked during at bats. Most memorable lines that i recalled was. Just as pitcher was in motion hed say ( DONT hit this 1 your moms looking the other way) Or he say shit your girl just fell on the bleachers....we all knew his tactics but used to still mess with us.
I remember once when I was in little league, the catcher and the umpire were talking about nestquick chocolate powder during my at-bat. 😂
Is that your sister out in left?- Hamilton Porter
Alex Martin I was going to write this until I saw it... But you forgot the punch line!!! He says, “Is that your sister out in left field.... NAKED?”
She’s naked
Evan Acey SHUT UP PORTER!
Is that your sister out in left field naked? SHUT UP PORTER!!!! Think she’ll go out with me????
I always did, but it depended on the player and *never* when they were in or even approaching the box. Baseball players more than any other sport are head cases and you can tell by their approach to the plate whether they were chatty or were in their personal "game zone". Some guys would automatically think a catcher was trying to F with their heads, so I was very selective with whom I would chat. I was chatty as a hitter as well but not all players are.
Tennis players are probably the biggest head cases.
I can relate to the not hearing what's going on around you while you're in the zone. I never got to hit much while playing varsity HS ball but I pitched a lot. A few teams in the conference were known to try and get in opposing pitchers' heads but once I put my foot on the rubber and got the sign from the catcher someone could catch fire in the stands and I wouldn't notice.
“Was that 2 bangs, or 1? Man, with this crowd it’s hard to make out. Maybe they’ll do it again.”
Matt, this is such a cool channel. I don't know how I only just found it now. Whenever I meet a pro player of any sport, I always like to ask them questions that don't typically get asked, pretty much what your videos are about. Keep it up.
I've been to two games in Syracuse and one thing I noticed was that (at least the first time through the line up) every batter would reach over and touch the arm of the catcher and the umpire. Seemed like a greeting and then it was take a few swings, get into the stance, and get set for the pitch. I thought it was very professional to do it, as it seemed like the batters were genuinely showing respect to both at the plate.
As a catcher, I always chat up the blue. I get more calls for pitch that way!
yogi Berra was notorious for annoying batters
Ha do you have any examples?
Nope!
World Series, either ‘57, ‘58. Hank Aaron comes to bat with bat label down. (bat label should be up so you can read, means bat grain in correct position.) Yogi said, “Hank you’re holding the bat wrong, you can’t read the label.” Aaron replied, “Yogi , I’m up here to hit, not read”.
This past spring in my son's local church league there was a catcher that would talk to him at the plate . More nonsense stuff to psych him out I think. Funny thing is, they had a really intense rivalry. The kid got so mad when my son dodged a tag at home plate. It was very friendly and kind of fun. We went over to the field one evening when we were not playing and the coach was short a player. He asked if my son wanted to fill in. He and this other kid ( catcher) had a lot of fun talking to each other.
So there's no smack talk or chirping between catcher and batter? Like in the Sandlot when Ham Porter says "You know, if my dog was as ugly as you. I'd shave his butt and tell him to walk backwards." or "Is that your sister out there in left field, naked? She's naked?"
Hahahaha no, professional baseball is not The Sandlot. They're....well...PROFESSIONALS. Not hilariously immature little smartass kids.
emphasis on the "hilarious"
I always threw pretty hard but had a bit of a wild streak. In my final year in little league I had basically outgrown the tiny field and was throwing very hard. I had a catcher who used to take full advantage of that telling each batter fabricated stories about me causing concussions, broken ankles etc. It was great. Definitely in the top 3 catchers I've thrown to. Kid could rake too. Great memories.
In high school, our catcher used to jabber at hitters in German.
The German word for catcher is Fänger
Speaking of German I was a catcher in little league and there was this one kid, Heinzie Meisel, that got furious when I talked to him.
I was batting in high school and I had long hair to my shoulders. We were playing an out of town game. The catchers dad had been riding me the whole game because I was also pitching and they couldn't touch me that day. I came up to bat and this guys dad was saying my hair was cute and was blowing kisses at me from behind the backstop. He then told his son, the catcher to give me a kiss. I then turned to the ump and said loud enough for this guy to hear me..." there sure are a lot of fags in this town, aren't there..." the ump laughed and the guy behind the backstop looked embarrassed and stop messing with me. This was way back in 1972. Good times. The good ole days when you could purposely bean a batter and get away with it. Except you might get the same when you came up to bat.
Thanks for sharing!!! Thanks for watching and commenting!
LOL
@@tapewormbreath8878 Found the obligatory PC "shame on you" comment
I Didnt Steal No Pie have fun at your next circle jerk dumb shit.
@@tapewormbreath8878 No one asked for your opinion. Stop being butt hurt
I was the catcher always talking to the umps. They would always pause for the pitch but pick back up right after calling the pitch. I could tell it annoyed some of the hitters. As a catcher you are used to a lot of crap going on an still find the ball an catch it. I loved it. Still have my glove.
Yogi said in an interview that he talked to everybody even the umps... Ted Williams used to tell him to "shut up". He was even quoted as saying that he used to throw dirt on Mini Minoso's shoes... But he said that he never talked when the ball was on its way.
With this video i remember that movie called " The Sandlot" when Hamilton "Ham" Porter tries to distract the other team
Hi Matt
I have been enjoying your videos. Can you do a video on the politics of baseball and how it influences who goes up to the big club!
Brian Sheble he already made one
@@mikecarranza3327 which video
I don't remember the catcher ,maybe Yogi Berra, I'm not sure but anyhow one of the old time popular catchers would engage in a conversation, just to talk about opposites. All I remember is that he was a star. When I do some research, I will definitely text you. Great work!
I have wondered about this, Thanks Matt!
I played catcher all my life little league until señor year of high school. I did talk to the ump sometimes.. And this is only sometimes in between at bat's just to see if I could get calls but I didn't talk to batters or to umps during at bat's. As a catcher I was trying to focus too at what pitch to call next and actually catch it.
Can't get enough of your insight. You do such a great job explaing everything BB. Thnx as always...
Big Mike Engelberg was the best distraction catcher in the game!
Lol, how do you deal with hecklers? Did you ever get into it?
Funny to hear you mention Iannetta, I played against him in HS, and he was the same way back then too. Quiet, went about his business behind the dish, let me do my thing in the box.
When I was playing in Little League, I actually had a batter chirp me while I was on the mound. Nothing major, just a "c'mon Jason (me), put it in there..." We went to school together, and he just so happened to be the son of newly enshrined Hall of Famer Jack Morris, which was kinda neat in itself.
Come to think about it, I think I struck him out in that AB. But when I moved to behind the plate, I never really said anything to the batters.
Matt...I would like to hear more about three things
1. Catcher and Umpire chatter...what types of things are being said
2. Umpire or catcher mechanics after one of them gets hit with a ball. I notice if the catcher gets hit the umpire sweeps the plate, walks the ball out to the pitcher, etc to let them recover I assume.
3. Umpire and hitter chatter. I have seen many hitters seem to ask the ump a question. I assume typically a questions about pitch location, like "did you have that pitch low" etc.
Looking forward to hearing...
I can only imagine... This information is great... cause I have always wondered! I played baseball in high school and watched the Braves win it with my grandfather. You can't replace those moments.
Hey love the channel keep the great advice for the greatest sport on earth coming
“Can you keep it down back there?” LOL. Good stuff, Matt!
Too bad about that one catcher who ignored you. Would have taken him one second to simply reply “hey”. It’s not like you were expecting him to perform a dramatic monologue. Rude, man.
Matt I love this video topic. I see it so often happen when I watch on TV. Always wondering what is going through their heads as they mumble on screen
You didn't know it was mostly just a simple greeting? I thought every baseball fan knew the small amount of "chatter" you see between hitter and catcher, and first baseman and runner, were just mostly friendly greetings.
I had a coach in high school who told me to chat 'em up as much as possible to distract the batters, more of a chatter at them than with them. I did that until an umpire stopped me in the first round of a state tournament game my sophomore year. He told me he was not going to tolerate that kind of unsportsmanlike behavior. We lost that game, but I never did it again through high school and American Legion ball.
Matt, you complete me.
That sounds suspect as hell
As a catcher I could argue a ball/strike call or tell ump, "he's hitting his spot, we need that pitch" or "you missed that one" as long as I didn't turn around. I've had countless umps say, "I missed that one" or give me one and say, "we're even."
Had a LL umpire in Richmond named, Vanderspeigel. He'd put left hand on my left side, right hand on my right shoulder, and his chin on my left shoulder. Everything's in that box was a strike. Now Richmond in the summer is infernal and having this guy leaning on me and with his hands on my waist and shoulder was not only annoying, but it was hot as hell. So I call time, jog out to the mound and tell pitcher to throw an inside fastball to my glove. So I set up for a high inside fastball and as pitch is on it's way I drop my glove. The pitch hits Vanderspeigel square in the mask. Now the pitcher and I are laughing our asses off. The ump takjes off his mask and tosses both of us. It was 100% worth it.
Hey matt, how does catcher/pitcher signals work with a guy at 2nd base? Is the pitcher waving off pitches? Or is he going with whatever the catcher gives him?
It depends on the pitcher and catcher... and depends on the team. Usually teams change signals if the runner at 2nd is a former teammate. I was a pitcher and we had a system where everything could be ignored until I saw the catcher use his right thumb. Every pitcher/catcher can have their own signal system and that is why some pitchers have their "personal catchers"
Very interesting. Thanks for this little insight!
What are the meetings in baseball like?
I played against a guy in high school that would constantly quote lines from the movie "Baseketball". It was hilarious yet miserable lol
lol
Love this video
The most talking between opposing players is the first baseman and the runner. It's almost always friendly chit chat and it can be quite ongoing if it's a long at bat, or if there is a pitching change.
Did you ever see any Bull Durham-esque moment, where the catcher tells the batter what pitch is coming next?
Haha I didn’t. Thanks so much for commenting and watching our videos!
Great videos! Very interesting stories! Did you enjoy playing against the cardinals in St. Louis? Great baseball town.
A few decades back in Little League I remember a catcher who would sing Tiny Tim’s Tip Toe Thru the Tulips.
one question i have had for year:
Back in the late 90s when the All Star game was played at Fenway, they brought Ted Williams out in a golf cart to the pitcher's mound. He shook hands with the all stars, then asked Mark McGwire if when he fouled a ball straight back, did he smell the burnt wood. I have on a few occasions seen Bryce Harper, after fouling off a ball, he would bring the bat to his face and looked like he smelled the bat. Is this something that really happens, have you done this, or did i imagine Bryce doing it?
Yes you can smell it for sure! Thanks for watching our videos and commenting!
can you talk about who's giving signs ?? like catcher/pitcher, hitter/3b coach, etc. also stealing signs, if that's somebody's "job"
Zack Hartmann for me it’s the coach in the dugout sometimes gives me calls to relay to the pitcher but if he doesn’t I call the pitches. The third base coach gives steal signs and bunting signs for the batter.
My son played in a Dominican league in NYC when he was about 10 years old and the catchers would definitely talk to the batters during the at bats in that league.
That sounds about right for Iannetta. Remember last week he stuck out, casually starts walking back to the dugout. Then all of a sudden snaps the bat right over his knee, lol.
When I played catcher from 7th grade to 10th grade(quit ball and ran track cause baseball team couldn't win a damn game for 2 years) and I didn't talk to the batters. I was mostly focused on keeping my pitcher calm and throwing strikes or close to them.
What is generally said during arguments with umpires/other players?
Great video ☝️
In 1966 I played against Northridge little league All Stars, they went to Williamsport, the Catcher, Barry L would run smack the entire game, made it really difficult we hated him. When I got to high school he was on our team. He drove the other teams crazy it was great we won the division.
ahhh the guy up in the balcony. he always seems to pop up at the worst time. haha.
And he's at every single game, too! All 162 games played by each ball club, as well as every single minor league game at all levels!
Great topic! Thanks Matt 🐊
When I was in high school, we had a catcher who liked to distract hitters with talk. One hitter was having a really bad day at the plate and Joe was on him really bad and the hitter finally got to his Popeye point and swung the bat backward and hit joe in the throat. The benches cleared and everybody was fighting -- all except Joe.. He was just trying to breathe. He was fine after a couple of days, but it kinda shut him up..
As a catcher, I would always talk to the batter. I would talk about his shoes, how he was leading with his hips too much etc. During one game, the ump told me to shut up or he would toss me from the game. After the inning, my coach told me I could talk as much as I wanted behind the plate as long as I didn't cuss or say anything personal about the batter. I went out the next inning and started up again and got tossed. The coach came out and got tossed also. After the game I apologized to the coach and he told me I did nothing wrong and the ump didn't know the rule book. Told me to keep doing what I was doing because I was helping the picture with his strike count.
Haha that is crazy!! Thanks for watching our videos and commenting!
Yeah as a hitter I preferred it, it kept me loose and kept me out of my head with my mechanics it enabled me to see ball hit ball
Love the channel. Would like some thoughts on this: "If catchers have so much experience seeing different pitches as catchers, why aren't they some of the best hitters?" Not to say there aren't catchers that can hit, but I'm just surprised they don't have a bigger advantage over non-catchers.
Seeing a lot of pitches doesn't always give you the physical ability and timing to be able to hit them. Same thing with steroids.
RJ Lane you are really dumb, it’s their own pitchers pitches they see that they have to catch.
Some of them are… but not because they see more pitches. At that level of play, everyone is watching film and getting a feel of the individual pitchers they will face. Still, they need to have all the tools.
The slight advantage you are thinking about might exist if their pitcher was traded and now the catcher has history with recognizing his pitch from the ball being thrown. That said, when catching for the pitcher, he knew the call….as a batter he doesn’t.
They see the ball from a different angle. Also, far less moving parts required to catch a baseball than to hit it.
Brewsters Millions comes to mind!
Would be funny if the umpire and catcher start betting each other whether you will strike out or get a hit.
TraumaER that would likely signal the end of his umpiring career.
Found your observations hilarious when you mentioned trying to hit in front of thousands of people while the umpire is talking high def tv's with catcher and fans are screaming from balconies. Trying to filter out the noise while processing pitch arcs requires another level of awareness. Marvel comics should incorporate this Zen like skill into a new MLB baseball character feature storyline. Thanks for sharing your professional experiences with the younger aspiring players. Home run videos and major league cheers!!!!!
Haha thanks!!!! Thanks for watching our stuff and commenting!
So I was a catcher in high school and I have a bit of an eidetic (photographic) memory. I would memory random bits of things from class TV whatever and just start reciting it at the plate. During a long at bat you could lull a batter with a steady cadence, then simply change the pace and really screw up their timing
That's fun to know.
Thought I struck out on a foul tip, ended up that the baseball ended up in the catcher's family jewelry. As I stepped back in with a 0-2 count, I asked "ya alright?" He goes, "wasn't expecting a shot to the balls!" I chuckled and said, I'll just let the next one go how about that? He chuckles and the pitcher proceeded to throw another pitch down and in, so I responded by pulling it past the first baseman for a single.
Haha thanks for sharing! Thanks for watching our videos and for commenting!!!
It was my understanding that the late Kirby Puckett of the Twins was notorious for chatting non stop. Catchers, umpires, infielders when he was on base (which was often). RIP Puck. Career and life cut short.
Matt, love the channel. Last week after the NY/Bos series it came out that Severino was tipping his pitches. Can you explain this a bit?
Was it something he was doing physically or was it stealing signs, etc.
thanks!
Thanks!! My guess is he was doing something that tipped off batters. I have 5-10 videos on tipping pitches if you put it into the search box it should come up. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Antonelli Baseball bums me out the Yanks didn’t realize this and correct Sevy. Anyways these are the little details of the game I love! Game within the game... I’ll look for those vids Matt, thanks!
Dennis Rivenburg apologies for these awful Boston fans Matt. They’re just not good people.
@@mattleone5831 Yankees choke !!!!
I was a catcher in slow pitch softball and will confess I
tried to mess with the batter's minds a little. One game some showed me they didn't like it so I quit doing it.
I had a catcher keep chatting me talking mad shit and that stopped after a nice back swing to the mask and a STFU icing on top. I hate that shit and did not tolerate it at all. I was a very short fused player which was odd because I am a laid back, relaxed, funny guy off the field but when i am in game mode, just the opposite.
At a travel ball tournament last week the umpire got pissed at me for framing a pitch (ya i moved it about 2 inches it’s a bit far) so my coach had to stick me in right field because of that. At my first AB I got a line drive single up the middle, and my 2nd one the catcher said this guy had a nice hit last time, and the umpire said ya but he frames it too much and then I lined out on a Lebron James jump. The catcher said nice job and handed me my bat, but the ump stared me down. He gave our team a bunch of terrible calls in that game, all because I overframed one pitch...
great
Would like to hear about what your favourite baseball movies are, and why!
I knew a catcher in high school that if they were up by more then 5 runsand the count was in there favor he would ask what pitch you wanted an you would get it most the time and his son does it now
what is the convo like with molina?
I read an article years ago that said many hitters, including barry bonds, really liked Mike liberthal of the Phillies. I guess Mike used to chat it up and joke with all the hitters
Interesting! Thanks for watching our vids and commenting!
While I was catching I remember I figured out a way to Bluetooth my catcher's helmet so I can listen to music and take calls at the same time like for my mom and friends I would play the whole 9 Innings coach never knew it
Syke!!!!!
Haha sounds like a good idea! Thanks for watching our videos and commenting!
I was a catcher in rec leagues. I would say hi to the hitter, maybe a little more. Once the at bat started, I usually didn't say anything to the hitter. There was one time a hitter crushed one, the farthest I've ever seen at my level, but foul. We both just stood there staring at it. When it finally landed, I said, "Wow, you crushed that $%@#$. Oh well, strike two." I saw his shoulders sag and he ended up striking out. That was the last time I said anything like that. I'm not a smack talker and that is just not part of my game.
So you’re saying that scene in Space Jam where the catcher told Mike what pitches they were gonna throw him cuz MJ signed a basketball for his kid didn’t actually happen?
I gotta believe Angel Hernandez is one of them. I'm starting to think that's why Ian Kinsler was thrown out after a ball was called on him. Remember, he turned back to Angel, appeared to not say anything (but he might have been telling him to shut up) and Angel took off his mask and did the throw out.
limitless video ideas, always interesting, also . did ya see machado smash that bomb?
Charlie? Here comes the deuce. And when you speak of me, speak well.
What about when a player is on base? Do they talk to the baseman?
How did that scene in space jam go?
"Low and outside don't swing."
Also isn't there a lot more chatter between the first baseman and the runner on first?
Ha
'Ham' from the Sandlot effectively talked to the batters to distract them
Haha great movie!! Thanks for watching and commenting!!
One time in tryouts this one ump wouldn’t stop talking and it threw me off so much
As a high school umpire I expect a catcher to talk to me. Most of it is over before the pitcher starts his next delivery. On the occasion that I've had a catcher that wouldn't talk it leads to a long, uneven game.
I used to get up and say something like, "its going in the gap, right/center." And, then ...strike out!!!
What about Bob Uecker and Yogi Beara?
I don't understand why the catcher doesn't talk smack and get in the hitters head.
Because it's not the NFL
Prob respect, and they don’t want to get beamed next ab
Like in Brewster's Millions: th-cam.com/video/JZbJcEKVBqk/w-d-xo.html
Yeah, like the opposing catcher wouldn't do it to your team once word got out. Duh. Except for certain incidents, mostly what I observe watching MLB games is mutual sportsmanship and respect. Beyond that, why be a jerk when it's so easy for that to be turned around - see my first point.
Exactly as others have said. It's way too easy for retaliation.
Also, these guys have a working relationship with one another. As he said in the video, they're facing each other a dozen times or more a year. Also, most of these guys have been in pro ball for decade, sometimes more, by the time they're in the MLB. They've been teamates with their opponents at some levels. Or were teamates.in the past in the same MLB team. They develop friendly relationships with each other. So they want to be respectful. They're also adults, not immature little kids. You don't hear business partners cracking "your mom" jokes. Why would professional athletes do that? It's funny and charming when a kids acts like that. Not so much whenever a 30 year old man acts like that.
I was thinking about ham from the sandlot this whole video
I was thinking space jam.
“Who was the hardest pitcher you have ever faced
The best one was just a friend and a funny guy. He knew what would make you laugh You’d have to step out. think back of him often.
So when a batter gets to 1st base, I see them chatting with with the 1st baseman occasionally. What kind of stuff are they saying to each other?
"Hey Dixson, I saw your wife on television too." John Candy in Brewster's Millions.
Couldn't disagree more. I wanted to distract the batter and work on his concentration. The umpire was needed as a friend so would talk all the time. The game is fun just like in BULL DURHAM.
Hopefully Chris Iannetta has loosened up a bit now that he's an old man. I really liked it when I got moved from 5 to 2 in Little League because now I had lots more people to talk to. I never played any other position after that, all the way through high school. Sometimes an ump would tell me to shut up, but usually not. Catching is loads of fun -- I can't imagine playing an outfield position, standing out there alone on a hot day trying to stay alert.
Interesting! Thanks for watching and commenting!
In late little league I used to chat with this one nice ump
Same here! Thanks for watching and commenting!
I had a little league Kevin Hart. Dude was always trying to make the batters laugh while the pitcher was going through his windup. I wanted to give him some sweet chin music.
I was play in a softball game when I was in the army and I was the catcher and my teammates would get mad at me because I was not talking shit to all of the batters.