Be A Better Catcher: Improving Pop Time
The Pitch Clock’s Influence on the Run Game
The implementation of the pitch clock in college and professional baseball has had a major impact on the run game, resulting in a significant increase in stolen base attempts. This shift has heightened the importance of catcher pop times, providing more opportunities to get outs on the basepaths and manage the running game effectively.
Stolen Bases Across Levels: Different Challenges, Same Pressure
At the lower levels, stolen base attempts are more common due to less skilled catchers and slower pitcher deliveries. At the upper levels, runners are faster and the rules actively encourage stolen base attempts. With the increased emphasis on stopping base stealers, one key metric has become even more critical: pop time.
What Is Pop Time?
Pop time is the time it takes for a catcher to throw the ball from home plate to second base during a stolen base attempt. The clock starts as soon as the pitch hits the catcher’s mitt and stops when the second baseman or shortstop catches it at the base. While the concept is straightforward, measuring pop time with precision can be challenging.
The Problem with Traditional Timing Methods
Although pop time has been a widely used metric for years, it suffers from one major flaw: human error. When a coach or scout uses a handheld or phone-operated stopwatch, there is often a slight delay in starting and stopping the timer. This lag creates a measurable difference between the actual and recorded pop time.
Pison’s Technological Solution
Pison’s BASEBALL Pro device addresses the problem with impressive precision. Worn on the non-throwing wrist of both the catcher and the infielder, the device uses sensors that detect neural firing at specific impact points. During a pop time drill, it senses exactly when the ball hits the catcher’s mitt and when it reaches the infielder at second base.
Eliminating Human Error for Reliable Metrics
By eliminating human timing error, Pison has redefined the accuracy and reliability of the pop time metric—making it more valuable than ever to coaches and scouts.
Going Beyond Hardware: The BASEBALL Pro App
But the hardware is only half the story. With the BASEBALL Pro app, players can track their performance across pop time and other drills. Those with a Pison device and a BASEBALL Pro subscription can view their progress over time, compare scores with teammates, and see benchmarks for players at higher levels. This adds both context and motivation for improvement.
Verified Training and Performance Tracking
Beyond performance tracking, the app also provides built-in training and verification tools. Players can initiate training sessions and automatically upload their results to a personal database. This allows for a comprehensive view of performance trends and growth. To discourage tampering, teams and organizations can assign a “trusted” user to verify and upload results.
Instant Feedback for Real-Time Development
Users start a rep, complete it, and log the result with just a few taps. Feedback is immediate, and the process can be repeated as often as necessary. This ensures consistent, high-quality reps and real-time data for both players and coaches.
Raising the Standard for Catcher Evaluation
Pop time is a key metric for evaluating a catcher’s ability and their effect on the running game. With the introduction of BASEBALL Pro, Pison has transformed how this drill is recorded and understood. By combining precise wearable technology with a powerful app experience, Pison has ushered in a new standard for catcher evaluation and development.
