Well, if catcher were so damn important and difficult to play, why does it seem that in little leage (I only go back to this because once you reach a higher level, people become "specialized" in one position and know the in's and out's pretty well) the catcher is the kid who fills his glove with ants by the third inning. Short-stop is hard to play, in high-school at good programs, the scouts all look at the SS because that's where the best athlete always plays (look up stories on Scott Rolen playing third in highschool despite pleas from his coach to switch to short).

 

Catcher's the most important position on the team because of the game calling and defensive aspect of it, but Short-Stop is without a doubt harder to play, and if it's not, why do people like Rey Ordonez, Mike Bordick etc. get to the major league level if they can't hit worth a damn...because it's that hard to find people who can play shortstop so well, and it's such a critical position.

 

What does a catcher do in Little League? The coach is calling the game, he's not going to throw anyone out because almost everyone is fast at that age, and he's not really setting up the defense or managing his pitchers. In essence, the catcher at the the little league level is the player who has the highest tolerance for pain at times and really isn't needed for anything unless there is a relay home, which there almost never is. No one is going to barrel into you at catcher in little league, catcher's earn their secondary name in Little League - backstop - because they just block the pitches for the most part.

 

I don't see the comparison though because Little League is a completely different game from real baseball. Little League is basically you put the ball in the OF and it's a homer because no one is going to get the ball or run a relay properly. Pitchers throw fastballs and change ups, and they can't even spot location so what's the catcher really supposed to do? One really can't see the importance and grueling nature of the catcher position until pitchers start developing curveballs, because this is when the game changes from being Little League 12-11 games to being real baseball, where the catcher is the general, throwing out runners is necessary, defense behind the plate is crucial, and you will get hurt every game because everything is now legal. Plus, now that pads fit so you can move around, Little Leaguer gear is so big they can get run over by a tank and they won't feel it.

I think in the long run, a pitcher has to endure more injuries and more after effects of pitching... almost every commentator used to be a big league pitcher and they will always reiterate their playing days before their surgery. I think catcher would be the hardest to play since he has to call out to the other guys and make the pitch calls etc.... but pitchers suffer the most.

I always played CF and 1B in pee-wee through HS but I would have to say 3B is the toughest.

 

Yes catcher would the most physically difficult but once you get in a good repoire with your pitcher, and know their limitations, calling a game wouldn't be so difficult.

 

I think that 3rd base would take the most skill. You have to have a very quick first step, great reaction time because the ball will be coming at you a lot faster than any other position plus you have to make the longest throw to 1B.

 

just my opinion... can't go wrong with catcher though.

I always played CF and 1B in pee-wee through HS but I would have to say 3B is the toughest.

 

Yes catcher would the most physically difficult but once you get in a good repoire with your pitcher, and know their limitations, calling a game wouldn't be so difficult.

 

I think that 3rd base would take the most skill. You have to have a very quick first step, great reaction time because the ball will be coming at you a lot faster than any other position plus you have to make the longest throw to 1B.

 

just my opinion... can't go wrong with catcher though.

747866[/snapback]

The longest throw from the INF. is made from SS

SS plays deep while 3rd is played more in

next time your on a baseball field try it out

good point jrHEMI, my bad

you try to do all that squatting

good point jrHEMI, my bad

747943[/snapback]

No am Mauri

I killed JRHEMI33 for not being honest on MB.Com

He was ashamed of telling people that he played at a little divII school instead of UF,and that he was never drafted by the rockies but does scout for them.