An Ode To Backstops

Baseball is a beautiful game — filled with strategy and action and excitement and heartbreak. It takes tremendous talent and strength to succeed in baseball and each position on the diamond requires a different set of skills. However, one class of players possesses entirely unique strength and smarts — the catchers.

Catchers are where the game starts. Before the ball flies into the stands or mitt of a waiting fielder, before the pitcher winds up and fires, the catcher calls the pitch.

Catchers need to know which pitches their teammate on the mound prefers to throw in every situation. Catchers need to know which pitches their opponent in the batter’s box would rather not face. Catchers also need to be hitters themselves and know what to expect from the opposing pitcher. The ballplayer behind the plate has a depth of knowledge almost impossible to fathom.

And they control all this while squatting before each pitch and being ready to throw out runners on the bases after each pitch. They defend the plate to prevent runs from scoring and back up bases to stop baserunners from advancing.

There are countless other ways catchers contribute to baseball games — from relaying dugout signals to spotting when anything is amiss with a pitcher. Yet, catchers so rarely get the recognition they deserve for all they bring to the plate. This site is meant to give the ballplayers behind the plate their moment in the sun and shine a spotlight on all the ways they help their team and teammates. Catchers are more than just backstops.