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What responsibilities does a catcher have besides catching pitches?
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Baseball
Freddie Freeman, shown here in a 2023 game, was named World Series MVP in 2024 after hitting four home runs and driving in 12 runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Beyond catching pitches, the catcher serves several critical roles in baseball:
- Strategic Communication: Traditionally using finger signals or modern systems like PitchCom, the catcher directs the pitcher on which pitches to throw and where to locate them.1
- Field Leadership: As the only defensive player with the entire field in front of them at all times, the catcher acts as a counselor to the pitcher and a director for the rest of the team.12
- Defensive Agility: The catcher must be agile enough to block off-target pitches, chase down foul balls, and field bunts.2
- Base Runner Control: Along with the pitcher and infielders, the catcher works to prevent base runners from taking large leads or stealing bases. A strong, accurate throwing arm is a hallmark of elite catchers, as it discourages runners from attempting to advance.12