From calling pitches and defenses to working with pitchers and umpires, catchers have a wide range of responsibilities that require intelligence, tact, baseball sense, and above all, leadership. One of the most important qualities for a catcher to posses is the ability to lead.
Confidence
Take charge of the situation. Be vocal. Make decisions with confidence. Confidence comes from the knowledge that the decisions you make are correct. Learn the game and the reasons your coaches make certain decisions. If you are calling pitches, be confident. Everyone makes mistakes. Face up to those mistakes and learn from them.
Command Respect
Leaders command the respect of their peers. Respect is earned. As a catcher you must earn the respect of your battery mates. What do the pitchers want from you? The pitchers have to respect your work ethic and your intelligence, your ability to call a game, and your ability to help them be a better pitcher. They have to feel you’re helping them to be the very best pitcher they can be. The pitcher must feel as confident and comfortable with you as possible. Get to know the pitcher. The only way a catcher can know her pitching staff is to catch them. Be able to relate to different types of personalities.
Respect the Umpire
Another notable aspect of the catcher’s leadership role is interacting with umpires. Be a diplomat and a politician. On a game-by-game basis, interact with the umpire. Develop a professional relationship. Never show up the umpire and always do your best to protect the umpire from balls in the dirt. As a catcher you are the field general. Set an example for your teammates to follow. Know your responsibilities and execute with confidence. Leadership from the catcher can be the difference between a 5-10 team and a 10-5 team.