Does anyboby know why the catcher tells the pitcher what to throw in baseball?

Answer 1

The catcher makes the signal so he knows what is coming. Quite often on a passed ball or when the catch has to move suddenly its because they got the signals crossed. To catch the ball he needs to know where it is going an if it is going to curve etc.

In some cases the catcher is making the actual call in others its the manager and if the pitcher does not like it he will shake him off till he gets the one he wants to throw.

Answer 2

The catcher studies each hitter just as much as the pitcher does. The catcher is the first person to tell what pitches are working for the pitcher and what pitches are struggling. Knowing this, he can tell when someone who may be a good fastball hitter is up and the pitcher's fastball isnt good on that day to try and use his other pitches.

Also, since the catcher is the one catching the ball, he should know what pitch is coming. By him calling the pitch, the pitcher can always shake it off and want another pitch. This way, both the catcher and pitcher are on the same page and know what is coming.

In college baseball, a lot of the times the coaches are the ones calling the pitches. So it is easier for the catcher to look into the dugout and get the call from the coaches. Then he can give the sign to the pitcher and everything works from there.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

The pitcher often signals that he wants a different pitch, so the pitcher has some control. Also, the infielders and catcher have to know what's coming. If the catcher expects a low curveball, how can he catch a high fastball? Also, the infielders, with a runner on first, need to know who will cover the throw on a steal. Based on the pitch coming, they can guess which side the ball is most likely to be hit to, allowing them to decide who can move to take the throw . Also, the coach sometimes gives signals and the catcher has a better view of the dugout. Another reason is that if the pitcher were to give signals, the batter could see.

Another reason is the rulebook. Here's the begining of MLB rule 8.01:
8.01
Legal pitching delivery. There are two legal pitching positions, the Windup Position and the Set Position, and either position may be used at any time.
Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while standing on the rubber.
Rule 8.01 Comment: Pitchers may disengage the rubber after taking their signs but may not step quickly onto the rubber and pitch. This may be judged a quick pitch by the umpire. When the pitcher disengages the rubber, he must drop his hands to his sides.
Pitchers will not be allowed to disengage the rubber after taking each sign.

As you can see, the pitcher has no choice.

Answer 4

i could argue that the catcher benefits some credit, and receives it sometimes. Varitek is wisely respected as an outstanding pitch caller. yet only because a catcher calls the pitches, would not end all of it, the pitcher nonetheless has to throw it in there. Plus the pitcher can refuse the decision and go for yet another pitch, so even despite the indisputable fact that the catcher makes the calls, it really is continuously inline with what the pitcher needs to do besides. IMO.

Answer 5

The catcher is the brains of the pitching operation, so the pitcher can focus on throwing strikes. The catcher also needs to know what's coming, so he can stop the ball without it going by him as a wild pitch. Plus, he must recognize what pitch and where the batter is weak against it, so he can target the ball for the pitcher in the spot where the hitter is weak so that the only thing the pitcher has to do is hit the spot the catcher is targeting for him.

Answer 6

Well for one, its so the catcher knows what to expect from the pitcher...so they know where the ball should be coming, and how to frame up and everything. It also takes pressure off of the pitcher. They're too busy worring about making every pitch perfect, they don't have time to be worrying about what to throw when against which batter

Answer 7

the catcher needs to know what his pitcher is throwing if the pitcher doesn't like thepitch the catcher wants him to throw the pitcher will shake his head and the catcher will pick a different kind of pitch

Answer 8

it's so the catcher and pitcher are on the same page. So they both know where the pitch is comming and can more acurately frame picthes (framing a pitch is making a ball look like a strike). Also, it just helps to know that they're both look in the same place.

Answer 9

he's the brains of the battery, he supposed to know how to call a game. the pitcher needs to concentrate on throwing strikes and hitting the location the catcher calls for.

Answer 10

So the catcher will know what to expect