They are the most vocal and, usually, the toughest players on a softball field. They are dirty, scarred and bruised from the physical demands of playing behind the plate. Softball catchers are a rare breed, cut from a different mold and trained to be the warriors of the diamond. And this area has some of South Jersey's best catchers in Millville's Lindsay Reed, Buena's MaryAnn Busan, Vineland's Jessy Lopez and Sacred Heart's Christin Carpani. You always have to be thinking of where the ball needs to be going.
Some catchers are lazy.
I'm out there to win. I'm always looking for the next out, and wanting to be involved in the next play. Catching duties are endless. It all starts with reading hitters, calling the pitch sequence and knocking down balls in the dirt to prevent runners from advancing. Most catchers also take responsibility for positioning the defense, directing cutoff throws from the outfield and blocking the plate to prevent the winning run.