Don't pressure your kid to be a catcher. If you are a coach or a manager, don't assign anyone to be a catcher. Catchers should be selected from volunteers only. At first, it is easy to get volunteers. All you have to do is ask "Who wants to play catcher?" and practically everyone will say "me!" Kids like to put on the gear and try something new. The newness wears off very quickly, though. The catcher has a hot, sweaty, job that comes with a lot of bumps and bruises. Catchers wear a lot of protective gear because they get hit by wild pitches or by flung bats (illegally) and run down by runners trying to score.

On the other hand, a good catcher can always find a spot on a baseball team. Good catchers are hard to find. Managers appreciate them. Catchers don't get much glory, but they have the most important job on the baseball team.

Besides catching all the "heat" that the pitcher is able to throw at him, the catcher must keep the pitcher calmed down, know the opposing batters and their weaknesses, keep runners from scoring, catch pop-ups, keep wild pitches from getting past him, keep base runners from stealing, and be ready at any time to make the long throw to second base, all starting from a crouching position. There is always something happening. A catcher never gets bored.

The catcher is the field captain of the baseball team. This is because the catcher is the only player that faces all the other players, and the only one that the only player that has a commanding view of the whole baseball field. The catcher can see what is going on in the field better than the fans, better than the managers, and better than anyone except possibly the home plate umpire.

In baseball, catchers have more complicated and important jobs than do the goalies in soccer and hockey. Pick robust, rugged, intelligent and reliable kids who really want this difficult but important job.

Make sure that the catcher's equipment fits properly. Many kids are so anxious to try on all this new gear, that they will put it on any old way and run out on the field. It is the manager's job to protect the players, and part of that is making sure that the catcher's gear fits. This takes time. Most managers assign this job to a knowledgeable coach.

Most leagues have a rule that every catcher, girls included, must wear an athletic supporter and a protective cup. Most parents will buy these for their own kids. If there are not enough to go around, some teams have the players wear them on the outside, over the uniform's pants. It looks a little strange, but it works. It also makes it easy for the catcher to remove the stuff when it's his or her turn to bat. The cup interferes with base running.

Catchers have a lot of things to remember. They can be overwhelming, even for the smartest kid. The best way to train a catcher is to to start with the stance. Repeat it until it becomes automatic. Add one thing. Repeat it until it becomes automatic too. Then go onto the next thing. Training catchers takes individual attention. It is best to hold special practice sessions, just for catchers. This eats up time, but it's worth it. Good catchers are worth their weight in gold.

Here are the basics:
a) Stand flat-footed.
b) keep your elbows outside of your knees.
c) Keep your arms slightly extended.
d) Don't stick your hand all the way into your mitt. Keep it loose.
e) Keep your head well above your mitt, so you can see everything.
f) Make a loose fist with your bare hand, tuck your thumb in.
g) When you have to throw, come out low and aim for the waist instead of the chest.

h) How to stop a steal: (for right handers:)
come out a little higher;
take a short step with your right foot;
take a longer step toward the base with your left foot;
jab the ball instead of winding up and throwing it, it's faster.

i) "Dirt" balls: When a pitcher throws the ball short (in the dirt):
Keep your head down, protecting your throat;
drop to your knees;
block the ball first, then worry about catching it;
reach for the ball.

j) Wild pitches: Most wild pitches will go to your right.
Your mitt will be on your left hand (for righties.)
You will want to reach across and backhand the ball, don't do that.
Instead:
Step to the right with your right foot;
glide your left foot after it;
block the ball with your knees.
Do the mirror image on wild throws to your left.

k) Pop-ups: As the catcher, you don't have to call "I've got it!" like the fielders do. There are no fielders around to bump into you. Catch the ball above your head.

Field bunts that go up the third base line with your back towards first base;
field bunts that go up the first base line with your back towards third base;
sweep the ball up, using your mitt like a dustpan;
step, and throw to the first baseman.

l) Throws to home: Do not block the runner's path to home plate until you have the ball in your hand. Besides being illegal, it is dangerous because the runner might crash into you while you are still looking the other way for the ball.