Getting into the Stance Game
So, catcher stance. Yeah, that. Been needing to get back to basics because, let’s be honest, things have felt a bit off. You know how it is, you think you’re doing it right, but then you realize you’ve gotten sloppy. Decided today was the day to really break it down and build it back up.
Starting with Signals
I kicked things off with the signal stance. Just trying to get comfortable, find that balance. Feet spread, not too wide, not too narrow. The big focus here was keeping my back from turning into a question mark. Easier said than done when you’re trying to get low. My thighs started talking to me pretty quick. Just holding that position, giving imaginary signs to an imaginary pitcher. It’s funny how tiring the simple stuff can be when you really focus on doing it properly. I must’ve looked pretty serious, just squatting there in my yard.
The Shift to Receiving
Next up, transitioning to the receiving stance. This is where I always feel a bit like a new-born foal. That little hop, or shift, from signals to ready-for-the-pitch. I really concentrated on:
- Getting my butt down. Seriously, if your rear end is sky-high, you’re just a target for wild pitches, and not in a good way.
- My glove hand coming up into position, creating a nice, inviting pocket. Not too tense, but ready.
- Weight distribution. I kept catching myself leaning too far forward, or too far back. It’s a constant adjustment.
I probably did this transition a hundred times. Okay, maybe more like fifty, but it felt like a thousand. Signal, shift, set. Signal, shift, set. My legs were definitely feeling the burn. It’s a lot more explosive than it looks from the stands, that little movement.
Holding the Fort: The Receiving Stance Itself
Then, just holding that primary receiving stance. This is where mental toughness kicks in, or at least, that’s what I tell myself when my quads are screaming. Trying to keep that throwing hand protected, usually tucked behind my ankle or leg. Eyes up, focused on where that ball would be coming from. I tried to stay low, really low. Felt my core engaging, trying to keep stable. It’s amazing how many little muscles you use that you don’t even think about until they start aching. I definitely found myself making small adjustments, shifting my weight, trying to find that perfect point of balance and readiness.
What I Walked Away With (Besides Sore Legs)
Man, it’s a grind. But a good grind. I realized how much I’d let some of the finer points slip. It’s easy to get lazy with fundamentals when no one’s calling you out on it. Today was about calling myself out. I felt a bit more connected to the ground by the end of it, a bit more stable. It’s not like I’m ready for the Show tomorrow, but it’s progress. It’s about building that muscle memory back, inch by inch. Tomorrow, I’ll do it all again, maybe focus a bit more on framing an imaginary pitch. One day at a time, right? That’s how you get better at this stuff.
