It’s as much of a feel as it is a technique. What’s best is that you’re comfortable and relaxed, but you also want to make sure you’re ready to go. Once he starts his motion, you need to get that tunnel vision. As soon as his lead leg stalls, you need to get your hands loaded and ready. Once he hits his release point, your front food needs to be down and you need to create that hinge in your back hip.

It’s best to expect cheddar and then adjust. Once you get to higher and higher levels, it’s going to get on you quicker and you’re going to have to respect his primaries. For some pitchers, offspeeds will jump out of the hand and they’ll be somewhat easy to pick up. But if he can tunnel and sequence his stuff well, you just have to respect it. There’s a reason the best only succeed 30% of the time. If you recognize one well, use the hinge in your back hip to create the force and trust your hands to follow through. When it all works out and you catch a barrel, it’s just one of the most satisfying things in the sport.