Pop-ups & Priority

Pop-up Straight Back at the Plate

Catcher's ball — mask off, find it, squeeze

A pop-up straight up over home plate. It's the catcher's ball — toss the mask the opposite way, find it over the shoulder, and make a soft catch.

Speed

0 / 2

Press Watch the Play to run the sequence, or tap any player to study their job.

All 9 jobs

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Help locate it and call directions, but let the catcher make the play.
C

Catcher Ball

Rip the mask off and throw it clear, find the ball, turn your back to the infield, and squeeze it.
1B

First Base Bag

Drift toward the plate as insurance but yield to the catcher, then cover first.
2B

Second Base Bag

Cover first base behind the play.
3B

Third Base Bag

Drift toward the plate as insurance but yield, then cover third.
SS

Shortstop Bag

Cover second base.
LF

Left Field Backup

Drift in to back up.
CF

Center Field Backup

Drift in to back up.
RF

Right Field Backup

Drift in to back up.

Key point

On a pop straight back, the catcher throws the mask AWAY from where the ball will land, finds it over his shoulder, and catches it soft.

Drill

Catcher pop-up reps: mask toss, locate, and catch with the back to the infield — the spin makes these drift toward the backstop.

Watch for

Catching it stiff-handed or tripping over the tossed mask — clear the mask early and give with the hands.