Editing Catcher (section)

==Catching pitches==
[[File:Kao Chih-kang(3).jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Uni-President Lions]] catcher [[Kao Chih-kang]] preparing for a game]]
The catcher is usually the first to notice the tendencies, quirks, and peculiarities of each home-plate [[Umpire (baseball)|umpire]]. Some umpires favor high [[Strike (baseball)|strikes]], pitched balls that are technically above the [[strike zone]] but appear, to the umpire, to be good. Conversely, some umpires will call low pitches strikes even when they are slightly below the knees. Other umpires have an inside bias or an outside bias; some umpires have more than one bias; some are uniformly lenient; some have very restricted notions of the strike zone, and the pitcher will constantly feel that their pitches are unfairly judged. The catcher can exploit an umpire's tendencies by taking them into account in when receiving the ball.

The catcher can help their [[pitcher]] get more strike calls from the umpire by using a technique called "framing". This practice is a matter of a catcher keeping the mitt inside the strike zone, or making the pitch appear as close to the strike zone, when receiving the pitch, thereby giving the plate umpire the impression that the pitch is in the strike zone, even if it is not. When framing, a catcher will also hold their mitt still for a second or two so that the umpire has an opportunity to thoroughly consider their call (and, hopefully, let their innate biases influence their decision in a direction favorable to the catcher's team).

The catcher, when receiving a borderline pitch, usually has several options in how they make the catch. They can catch the pitch in the webbing of their mitt or in the heel; they can catch the pitch on their [[forehand]] or [[backhand]], as necessary; they can catch a low pitch with the mitt pointed upward or downward. These choices help the catcher to create a favorable presentation (or frame) for the umpire.

A variation on "framing" is called "pulling pitches". The general approach is to catch the half of the ball that is outside the [[strike zone]] and show the umpire only the half of the ball, lodged in the mitt, that is closer to the zone. The illusion is often enhanced with a slight 'tug' of the mitt (of an inch or two) toward the strike zone.

By rule, the catcher must station directly back of the plate (generally in the [[catcher's box]]) the moment a pitch is thrown but may leave at any time to catch a pitch or make a play. The moment an intentional ball leaves a pitcher's hand, the catcher must have both feet in the catcher's box.<ref>{{cite web|title=MLB Rules|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2011/Official_Baseball_Rules.pdf}}(2011 ed.)</ref> The catcher is the only defensive player who is allowed to be in [[foul ball|foul territory]] when a [[Pitch (baseball)|pitch]] is thrown.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/official_info/official_rules/start_end_4.jsp |title=The Official Site of Major League Baseball: Official Rules |work=mlb.com |access-date=13 July 2012 }}</ref>

==="Catcher's Balk"===
A Catcher's Balk occurs when the catcher is not properly set in the designated box. Once the pitcher releases the ball and the Catcher is caught outside of this zone, the play is thrown out. The term "Catcher's Balk" is not an official term, however it is common to hear among Catchers and umpires alike.

===Catcher's Interference===

If a pitch is thrown and the catcher has extended their arm resulting in the catcher's glove being contacted by the batter's swinging bat, a [[Interference (baseball)#Catcher's interference|catcher's interference]] is called, and the batter is awarded first base. This is recorded as an [[Error (baseball)|error]]. If the bases were loaded, it results in a run being scored, but since it is an error it is not awarded to the batter as [[run batted in]]. The catcher's interference call is uncommon. Also, an interference penalty may be declined by the batting team, such as when a better result ensues.