why arn't catchers the best hitters? They see the ball from that point of view more than all the other players

Question

Plus they know how to call a game so shouldn't they have better anticipation skills?

Answer 1

The 'hand/eye' coordination is different when you are just letting the ball come to you - vs - you are swinging a bat to hit the ball while still in the air. So catchers are not automatically the best hitters, but there are some catcher who are considered very reliable - on the Chicago Cubs, Michael Barrett - is an exceptional hitter.

Answer 2

While seeing the pitches does help them in hitting, the job that they have to do takes away that advantage. The catcher is involved in more plays than any other player on the field. It is also the hardest position to play on the body. Yes, they may be good at anticipating what the next pitch might be, but that does not mean they will be able to hit it.

After spending an hour or so getting up and down from a squating position, wearing lots of protective gear in 90 degree heat, do you think that you would be in top condition to try and hit a 92 MPH fastball?

The first 2 things to go an a catcher is the back and the knees. You need a good back to get around on the ball, and a good set of knees to run the bases and beat out those ground balls. While it might only cost the catcher a hit or two, that extra hit a week can make the difference between hitting 250 and hitting 300. That is why it is so rare to see a batting champion catcher.

Answer 3

Some good answers already, but add "foul balls" - the catcher takes a beating, a foul ball off your shoulder, man that's a killer. Foul tips off the hands, you ever shake hands with an old catcher(LOL) - Hitting is tough enough, trying to do it all beat up doesn't make it any easier.

Answer 4

It's because catching is the hardest/most specialized position to play in the field besides pitching. The more important your position in the field is, the harder it is to find somebody who can play it well AND hit well. That's why everybody sticks their best hitters out in left and right field...pretty much anybody could play those positions with at least some competence (ok maybe not manny or burrell, but you get the point).

Answer 5

because catching takes a huge toll on the player physically. fatigue takes away from a catchers offense.

"Rightward shifts along the defensive spectrum almost never work."- Bill James

[ - - 1B - LF - RF - 3B - CF - 2B - SS - C - - ]
with the basic premise being that positions at the right end of
the spectrum are more difficult than the positions at the left
end of the spectrum. Players can generally move from right
to left along the specturm successfully during their careers.

Answer 6

have you ever been a catcher? you get worked out there! catchers are usually the ones with the most injuries and are always having to play with little ones, like my hands are always all busted up and stuff, plus you get tired cuz you're working your *** off the whole game.

Answer 7

Practice. You can look at the ball all you want, but the Catchers are practicing with the pitchers not with the hitters. Pitchers would be the best hitters too if they just practiced.

Answer 8

But they also have the most wear and tear on their bodies, and that doesn't help.

Catchers also don't play often enough to be able to qualify for most stats categories.

It's about much more than just knowing how to call a game.

Answer 9

Try catching 100 pluss games and then hitting

Answer 10

no they see the ball squating down when they know exactly what is coming. hitting is completley diffrent from catching they are not even closley related