by Peter Geppert<\/p>\n
The catcher position is often compared to other iconic positions in sports, combining the leadership of the quarterback position in football with the direction and pacing that point guards in basketball bring to the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cCatchers are the managers of the game on the field, they are by far the most important position on a baseball team,\u201d Mallards pitching coach Keith Ritsche said. \u201cIf you aren\u2019t solid behind the plate then it will be a long night for the rest of the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Because of the preparation that catchers go through on a daily basis during the season to get ready for opponents, it\u2019s no wonder that many go on to have coaching careers. Of the 30 active managers in the major leagues, nine were former catchers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not really surprising to me to see that many catchers go on to be coaches at some level,\u201d Mallards hitting coach and former catcher Jordan Comadena said. \u201cCatchers are constantly working with coaches and engaged in dialogue with pitchers.\u201d<\/p>\n
What makes a good catcher can sometimes be unclear. There is no objective statistic that shows how skilled a catcher really is at managing a game from behind the plate. So how do you quantify the unquantifiable?<\/p>\n
\u201cOften times you\u2019ll hear scouts say, \u2018he has good actions\u2019, which is another way of saying he has good intangibles,\u201d Comadena added. \u201cWith bad catchers you\u2019ll see pitchers shake off their signs a lot and you\u2019ll also see more mound visits.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mallards utility man Mike Reuvekamp (California) has impressed Mallards coaches by showing some of those \u201cactions\u201d already this season. In the 10 games that Reuvekamp has caught this year the Mallards are 7-3 and Mallards pitchers are carrying a 3.90 ERA, 0.28 points lower then the overall 4.18 pitching staff ERA.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really fun to watch Reuvekamp work from behind the plate,\u201d Comadena added. \u201cThe way that he communicates, always knows the situation, and instills confidence in our pitchers shows that he knows how to play the position the right way.\u201d<\/p>\n
So the next time Mallards fans see a well executed defensive play or another stellar performance from the pitching staff, just remember that it all starts from behind the plate.<\/p>\n
The 2012 season is upon us! Single-game tickets are on-sale for all Mallards home games!<\/p>\n
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The Madison Mallards are part of the 16-team Northwoods League. \u00a0The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate League in North America.<\/p>\n
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