One of the critical elements of catching is the ability to frame a pitch, giving it more potential to be called a strike by the umpire. Being good at that skill involves training your eyes and having reflexes in your arms and hands that can not only catch a pitch that may be traveling 90+ mph, but in a split second making that pitch look like it qualified to be called a strike.
In this article, I’m going to share with you some tips and information to help you become better at framing a baseball.
But first, let’s take a look at the terminology that’s used to describe making a ball that’s on the border of the line between a ball and a strike look more like a strike.
In addition to his many other roles behind the plate, making a pitch look good to the umpire is what a catcher does. There are several different terms used for doing this job, including:
Here’s a quick explanation of why those terms are used to refer to the practice of helping the umpire see that the ball came across the plate in the strike zone.
Framing: This is the overarching term for the skill of subtly moving your glove to make borderline pitches look like strikes. The idea is to “frame” the pitch within the strike zone, giving the umpire the best possible view to call it a strike.
Receiving: This term emphasizes the act of catching the ball in a controlled manner. When a catcher “receives” a pitch well, they make it look effortless, as if the ball naturally found its way into the strike zone. Good receiving is the foundation of effective framing.
Presenting: Here, the focus is on how the catcher “presents” the pitch to the umpire. After receiving the ball, the catcher keeps the glove steady and in the strike zone for a moment, making it clear where the pitch was caught. It’s all about making that strike look convincing.
Stealing Strikes: This term has a bit of flair! When a catcher skillfully frames a borderline pitch and the umpire calls it a strike, it’s like they’ve “stolen” a strike for their pitcher. It’s not about deception; it’s about using refined technique to maximize the chances of getting favorable calls.
Framing, receiving, presenting, and even “stealing strikes” are critical skills that can make you a standout catcher. These drills will help you get there, and they all involve using weighted balls to build up your arm strength and get you used to the motion of receiving the ball right into the strike zone.
Before we dive into the drills, let’s talk about why framing is so important. As a catcher, your job is not just to catch the ball—it’s to make borderline pitches look like strikes. This art of “stealing strikes” can make a huge difference in a game, turning a 3-1 count into a 2-2 count, or even getting that third strike called. It’s about subtly moving your glove to receive the pitch in the best possible spot and presenting it in a way that convinces the umpire it’s a strike.
Using weighted balls in catcher training can significantly enhance a catcher’s ability to naturally frame pitches by building strength, improving muscle memory, and refining hand-eye coordination. Here’s how:
Weighted balls are heavier than regular baseballs, so when a catcher practices with them, they’re working against more resistance. This added weight helps build the muscles in the catcher’s arm and shoulder, which are crucial for controlling the glove. As these muscles become stronger, the catcher can more easily and smoothly move their glove into position to frame a pitch, even after a long game or multiple innings.
Repetitive drills with weighted balls help engrain the movements needed to frame pitches into the catcher’s muscle memory. When practicing framing drills—like side-to-side, up-and-down, or figure 8 patterns—with a weighted ball, the catcher learns to make precise, controlled movements. Over time, this practice trains their body to instinctively move the glove into the strike zone with minimal effort when using a regular ball during a game.
Catching a weighted ball requires more focus and precision due to its weight and momentum. As catchers practice receiving and framing weighted balls, their hand-eye coordination improves. They become more adept at tracking pitches and guiding the ball into the strike zone with small, subtle movements—key to effective framing.
The added weight forces the catcher to stabilize their glove and hand more effectively. This stability is crucial when presenting the pitch to the umpire, as a shaky or jerky glove movement can give away the fact that the pitch is outside the strike zone. By training with weighted balls, catchers develop the ability to hold their glove steady and present pitches more convincingly as strikes.
Incorporating weighted balls into training drills helps catchers develop the physical strength and technical skill to frame pitches naturally and effectively, giving them an edge in getting those borderline strikes called in their favor.
Grab a weighted ball in your glove hand and get ready for some serious arm work. This drill has you moving your glove back and forth across the strike zone. The goal here is to strengthen your arm while getting used to the motion of receiving pitches on the edges of the zone. Start slowly, focusing on smooth, controlled movements. As you get more comfortable, speed it up—but keep that motion clean!
Next up, we’ve got the Weighted Up and Down drill. This one is similar to the side-to-side drill, but now you’re working vertically. Holding that weighted ball, move your glove hand up and down through the strike zone. This helps you get comfortable framing pitches that are high or low. Remember, you’re not just catching the ball—you’re presenting it to the umpire as a strike, no matter where it’s coming from.
Now let’s get a little fancy with the Weighted Figure 8 Pattern. Holding the weighted ball in your glove hand, move your hand in a figure 8 pattern through the strike zone. This drill is great for building both strength and flexibility, helping you to smoothly receive pitches from any angle. It also simulates the unpredictable nature of real game situations, where you might have to adjust quickly to frame a pitch.
Finally, we’ve got the Weighted Ball Scoops. For this drill, you’ll need a partner to roll the weighted ball to you on the ground. Your job is to scoop it up and bring it right into the strike zone. This drill is all about transitioning from blocking a ball in the dirt to framing it as a strike. It’s a real game-changer, especially when those low pitches come your way.
These drills are designed to make you a stronger, more confident catcher. By using weighted balls, you’re not only building arm strength but also training your body to naturally receive and present pitches in the strike zone. Remember, the key to framing is subtlety—small movements that make a big difference.
Looking for more to do to help your receiving skills as a catcher?
This video from Coach Bougie from Catching Made Simple shares his top 5 receiving drills. These drills are great supplements to the weighted ball drills we’ve demonstrated for you here.
Framing may seem like a dirty part of playing baseball, maybe a little dishonest. But have you ever wondered why it works?
The video below walks through a strike call for a ball that crosses a few inches off the plate. When a pitch is moving as fast as it does in high school, college, and professional baseball, judging whether that pitch crossed the official strike can be tricky.
Catchers are on the hook for ensuring that their pitchers get every call they can get, including close ones that are hard for anyone watching to call, including the catcher, the pitcher, or even the umpire.
Framing is one more way that catchers and baseball instructors have learned to be more competitive considering the lack of perfection that exists with the human eye and its ability to see things as they really are.
