What do baseball catching lessons cover?
Catcher is the most involved position on the field. The catcher handles the ball on almost every pitch, directs the defense and has to stay calm while the whole game happens in front of them. Our baseball catching lessons break the job into four skills that build on each other.
- Stance: a relaxed signal stance, a stronger stance with runners on, and balance that lets the catcher move in any direction.
- Receiving: a quiet glove, soft hands and catching the ball in a way that helps the pitcher. Our guide on how to frame pitches as a catcher goes deeper.
- Blocking: getting the body in front of balls in the dirt, keeping them close and recovering fast. Try our catcher blocking drills for a safe progression.
- Throwing: a quick, clean transfer, efficient footwork and an accurate throw to the bases.
Coach Cinz teaches all of it with the same approach he uses for every skill: movements, mechanics and, most importantly, timing. A catcher with good footwork but a slow transfer still loses the race to second base. Timing is what ties the pieces together.
He also develops the mental game. Catchers take foul tips, make mistakes in front of everyone and still have to lead the pitcher into the next pitch. Confidence, mindset and consistency matter as much behind the plate as anywhere on the field.
How do catcher lessons work with Coach Cinz?
Baseball catching lessons are part of our one-on-one Private Lessons. There is no separate catching clinic, so every rep in the session belongs to your catcher. Training follows three simple steps.
- Free Benchmark. The athlete answers a short set of goal questions online at Benchmark Step 1. Then current metrics are measured together with the coach.
- A plan. Coach Cinz builds a plan around the athlete's goals, whether that is earning the starting catcher spot, cutting down on passed balls or getting throws to second on target.
- Lessons. A Private Lesson is 30 minutes for $65. Catchers can book multiple 30-minute blocks for a longer session with time to warm up, work drills and finish with live receiving.
Families who want a deeper starting point can book a Personal Assessment ($195), a one-on-one session to know where the athlete stands and get a personal opinion. A Membership saves $20 per lesson, with no limit, which adds up for catchers who train every week.
Every athlete who books training also gets a Play 2 Earn Sports player profile to track stats, goals and progress.
Can a youth catcher really improve with private lessons?
Yes, and private work is often where catchers improve fastest. In team practice, catchers spend much of their time warming up pitchers and very little on their own skills. In a Private Lesson, the focus stays on the catcher from the first rep to the last.
Coach Cinz explains the "why" behind each adjustment, so young players understand why the glove starts low or why the knees drop a certain way when blocking. Parents in our reviews say he is patient with kids who learn differently and that their children come away with better mechanics and more confidence. One parent shared that their son improved in both his hitting and his catching.
Because catching and hitting both reward good timing, catchers can split lesson time between the two. For a step-by-step look at the skills involved, read how to become a better youth catcher.
Safety comes first. Catchers should wear properly fitted gear whenever they catch live pitching. If a catcher's arm, knees or hands are sore, rest them, and see a doctor or athletic trainer for any pain or injury.
Where can I find catching lessons near me in Naperville?
Lessons are held at The Play & Thrive Club Naperville, 808 Illinois Rte 59 #120, Naperville, IL 60564, in the off-season and on rainy days. An indoor space means catchers can keep training through the Chicago winter.
Private Lessons can also happen at a location of your choice within the Chicagoland area, such as your team's home field. We serve most areas from Chicago to Aurora, including Naperville, Aurora, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Lisle, Wheaton, Warrenville, Oswego, Downers Grove and the western Chicago suburbs.
Outside the area, or want feedback between sessions? A Zoom Lesson ($65, 30 minutes, with a consultation first) works well for reviewing stance and receiving at home. A Video Analysis ($35) lets you send a clip of your catcher and get drills back.
Is catcher the right position for my child?
Catcher suits kids who like being involved in every play, don't mind getting dirty and enjoy leading teammates. It is also a position every team needs. It is demanding, though, on the legs, the hands and the attention span.
If you are weighing it up, read our honest guide, is catcher a good position for my child, which covers what a catcher needs. Coach Cinz can also give you his opinion after watching your athlete in a lesson or assessment.
Coach Cinz has over 25 years in baseball as a player or coach, including the five years before the pandemic as a hitting, fielding and pitching instructor with the Chicago White Sox organization, working mainly with pre-draft players. Coach Cinz Baseball is a Baseball and Softball company, established in 2019, that puts the athlete's goals first. Parents rate us 4.9 stars across 66 Google reviews.
Ready to start baseball catching lessons? Begin with the free Benchmark Process, or contact us by text at 312-493-3067 or email at [email protected].
