Receiving is incredibly important because you do it almost every pitch and because it can have a big impact on the game by swinging counts in your team's favor.  If a catcher catches a strike on the edge of the zone poorly, it may look like a ball to the umpire. On the flip side, if he catches a ball just off the plate, but receives it well and smoothly brings it back over the plate, there is a good chance the umpire will call it a strike.

Receiving Technique

• In your catching stance, start with your glove elbow up, a flat glove, and a comfortable bend in your arm.

• Drop your glove to the ground with the glove turned square to the pitcher when the pitcher separates his hands. This will put you in a great position to get below the low pitch and even block balls thrown in the dirt.

• When the ball is on its way, move your glove to a position where you can guide the ball back to the middle of the strike zone as you catch it.

• Beat the ball to the spot so you have enough time to catch it smoothly. You do not want to stab at it.

• On high pitches, get your glove above the ball so you can work it down. Catch it with a bent arm and bring it down as your arm extends forward. 

• When receiving balls just off the edges of the play, get outside the ball so that you can pull it back in.

• On low pitches, get below the ball with your glove and keep your elbow up so can work the ball back up to zone.

• Push through the ball enough with your glove to stick the catch.