Calling a Game...

I think teaching catchers the pitch/catch game is VERY important and I can tell you that we focus considerable time in developing catchers to call games.  
 
So I'll talk first about how we manage pitch calls in game then how we develop pitchers/catchers to the pitch call techniques and skills and finally some misc notes on the this topic.  
 
In Game Pitch Calling
 
The only variable here is a scouting report.  If we have a scouting report, the game will be called out of the dugout.   If we have data which allows us to have an advantage, we need to use it and since we play weekend tournaments with no time for catchers to memorize the scouting report, we'll simply call the game out of the dugout and rely on the pitcher/catcher to tell us "in game variables" to make decisions.  
 
Examples of "In game variables" are the performance of a specific pitch, the umpires strikezone or preferences, defensive alignments, wind, or just "how Paula Pitcher" is feeling that day.  
 
That said, the "we" we use to call the game consists of the catcher/coach who compiled the scouting report, the backup catcher and the pitching coach.  There are many times where I will have one catcher making decisions and signaling pitches into the other catcher while I sit nearby and observe, interject or override.  
 
We are clear however that one person is designated to "call the game" and are held accountable for the final decision.  
 
If we DO NOT have a scouting report this is not as easy decision.  In general the rule of thumb is that the person who gives us the best chance to win the game, will call the game.  At times that may be the catcher, at times it may be a coach or catcher on the bench.  And at times it may change back and forth as the game goes on.  
 
Developing the Pitch/Catch Skills
 
We develop our catchers to be able to call a game starting after their first year in our program.  In the first year, the focus for our catchers is to develop the understanding of our team defensive strategy, our pitching/catch general strategy and to learn how we communicate as a team.  
 
Also in the first year, we ask all players to do scouting of future opponents and we ask catchers to focus on creating the scouting reports for the other teams hitters.  Generally the younger or more inexperienced the catcher, the more likely a coach will work with them.  
 
I start by doing my normal scouting report only having the catcher sit and listen to my thoughts.  Then we move to a point where she tells me what she sees and I document it in our format.  Then she documents what I see, finally she documents what she sees with me listening/questioning.  Once a catcher has proven to me that they understand how to create an accurate scouting report -- we give them autonomy to create them without me being with them.  
 
I laugh when coaches and catchers tell me they can "call a game" when they have NEVER learned to scout a game.  That is crazy to me, why not learn on games you are NOT involved in, when getting it right doesn't matter as much.  
 
So the first thing that you really are doing when you are training a catcher to call a game is training there eyes to break down stance, swing and hitting mechanics.  Once they are able to do that, they need to have an understanding of basic pitching and the general theories of how specific pitches work and move.  
 
Once they understand the generics; we then add in the variables of specific pitchers tendencies along with specific hitters through scouting.  
 
Once the catcher is calling the game, we do ask them to discuss specific decisions to us but only on rare exception and when set up in advance (This game we are gonna discuss pitch calls to develop your pitch call skills).  
 
The time to debate a strategy is only until the decision is made, once the decision is made; we live with the results.  
 
General Notes
 
Unless hitters have "standard" mechanics, calling pitches based on hitters ability is not effective.  The average 12U kid has a unique swing every time, sometimes it is a up swing, sometimes down swing, sometimes they are open at contact, sometimes closed, sometimes they step in the bucket, sometimes they don't.  If you are calling pitches based on the last swing, it means nothing to the next swing -- so don't worry about calling pitches based on the hitter's mechanics.  Let the catcher focus on locations and speed changes and focus on that for 10U, 12U and mid to low level 14U ball.  
 
With my younger (16U) catchers, there are times that I will signal pitches from the dugout even if the catcher is making the decisions on what is to be thrown.  This takes the "accountability" and puts it on the coach since to everyone else it looks as though it is my decisions, allowing the catcher to decide without the fear of "looking bad".  
 
With the Danes, our pitchers are allowed to shake off pitches but generally they don't since the scouting and decision making process allows them to focus on their mechanics and staying in a "groove".  
 
I would never let a Pitcher's Dad call a game.  No matter how good the Dad or the pitcher, neither sees the pitch or hitter in the "real" light.  There are times where I get "too confident" in my pitcher that I will ask someone else to call the game who will see the realities.  
 
Once a pitch is called, unless the perfect pitch is hit out -- the pitcher is responsible for the results of the pitch.  If she throws the pitch requested and it is hit hard -- it was either a bad decisions OR a good job by the hitter; which we move forward from quickly.   That said, the burden of a pitcher is she will still be responsible for the runner at that point.  
 
We communicate with our catchers and pitchers between each inning in the dugout to check on in game variables.  It is part of our 'process'.  I use both hand signals and verbal clues/conversation to discuss decisions and issues with my catcher while in the game.  Common questions are "where was that?", "what do you see" or "which pitch would you throw here?"  
 
This is my favorite part of the game.  I love doing it and developing it.  I feel I have done a good job in developing these skills in my catchers and many college coaches have seen success from pitch calling and scouting skills of my catchers over the years.   

Do you have questions?  Reach to me at danesfastpitch@hotmail.com.

 
TJH