Catching, when to block, when to pick

Hi,

Excellent question, Jeff B. I prefer
to teach the block at the early age
(and then adjusting from there.)
Yes, the pick is easier but more prone
to bad habits than good (and of course
less painful).

A better answer depends on how
good the catcher is at moving
his feet, reducing the depth
of bounce of the baseball, blocking the
ball, getting back on his feet, and getting into a balenced throwing position. Done well, I find this is one of the most athletic defensive plays on the diamond (right next to and infielder's/OF running catch with back turned to diamond.)

Yet, it would be a bonus for a catcher to toss out the stealing base runner attempting to advance on the pitch. However, if the pitch is in the dirt, a majority of the time it's a SB. Yes, the catcher improves his abilty to thwart the attempted stolen base when the runner delays his steal, or if the runner has been taught to extend his secondary lead when he observes ball in dirt (and if observes ball is errant). This improvement
comes from the block (rather than the pick) from which is primarily successful if and when the catcher gets to his feet, has a throwing grip on ball, and is balenced when attempting throw.

For example, (and I will assume
90 ft diamonds, however since
your boy is a youngster the distances
may vary), for curve balls in the dirt
(58 ft) and bounce before the plate, I prefer to teach a drop (the knees) and block (with body). For curve balls very away, I teach, drop/slide- pick (with hands).

You may find that catchers depth
(which may vary from hitter to hitter)
will also yield to varying techniques
associated with receiving the ball
with runners on base. I have seen
tremendous improvements at the pre teen
levels in the catching skills, however
one area continued lacking in the confidence the catchers requires to
get up under the hitter to receive
the baseball, thus making the pitcher
look better, the umpire's job easier,
and the strikezone have less varience.

Oh yes, one more thing, be cautious about former amateur pitchers (who never caught - and now coach) who continue to offer their advise on how a catcher should receive the baseball.