Each player on a baseball team has a specific role. Some are recruited as hitters, others as consistent fielders and some to fill a void in the starting pitching rotation.
But a choice few are selected to lead those pitchers, fielders and batter’s box specialists. They spend their time reading opposing offenses, directing traffic and relaying signs from the dugout — all while squatting on their haunches while wedged between a batter, plate and umpire.
Ohio coach Joe Carbone said though a catcher’s skill set is among a team’s most complicated, his role is the most simple. He said that without a top-notch catcher, there’s no real chance that a team will make a championship run.
That notion sits just fine with Ohio’s trio of masked men.
Ohio (16-16, 6-3 Mid-American Conference) sophomore catcher Kyle Dean said that his ability to dictate his team’s play is what has drawn him to the position.
“I like just being able to control what’s going on out there and seeing the field to see what’s happening and developing and just knowing you have the control and tempo of the game,” he said.
Carbone said he depends on his catchers for being more than just a workhorse behind the plate. He doles out a hearty load of responsibility to his armored defenders and expects them to carry that load.
“The toughest skill position on the field is pitcher,” Carbone said. “But the toughest position on the field is catcher. All of our signs and plays go through the catcher from the catching staff. So I’m giving them bunt and double-steal plays. While they’re giving the plays out, they’re looking at the coach, (getting signs) and then they have to catch the ball after all that stuff.”
The most experienced of the group, junior J.R. Reynolds, said that the physical skill set of squatting behind the plate and catching is low on his list of responsibilities, as catchers are constantly monitoring any runners on base and potential game situations.
Reynolds, who Carbone called “the strongest defensively” of the three, has embraced the role of mentoring his younger counterparts.
“I think all three of us get along pretty well,” he said. “I try to give them pointers here and there, helping them on bunt defenses, throwing down to second, first and third plays … just being a leader, going out there every day and giving it all we’ve got.”
Freshman Cody Gaertner has been getting the lion’s share of time behind the plate for the Bobcats this season, but Dean has seen his share of innings as well. Reynolds has made appearances in nine games, though Carbone said he plans on working him into the lineup more often as the season wears on.
For the first time in a month, the Bobcats had consecutive weekday practices this week. Carbone said the extra day of practice gave the team another chance to brush up on its mental focus and to prepare more thoroughly for this weekend’s opponent, Ball State.
Ohio will try to improve upon its five-game MAC winning streak in its three-game series against the Cardinals (7-23, 4-5 MAC).
Cody Gaertner leads Ohio catchers with a .348 batting average and .985 fielding percentage.
Both Dean and Gaertner are slugging better than .400 this season.
Reynolds recorded a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with 64 putouts and no errors last season.
jr992810@ohiou.edu
