Been wondering since Sunday, finally getting around to ask: why didn't Harrison take his mask off to take the throw at the plate? Seems like that contributed to him mishandling the great relay from Kent.

Granted I stopped catching in hs, but I was always taught to pull the mask and toss it as soon as there's a chance of a play at the plate. Is keeping it on a new way of teaching the position, or was that just a mental lapse?

You see catchers keep the hockey style mask on more often these days for plays at home (I'm pretty sure it is taught that way now). I don't think it contributed to the mishandling of the throw.

Thanks. What's the rationale on teaching it that way these days? Hockey style vision has improved in past 20 years? Protection if they accidentally have a collision? Protecting the radio? I still see them take it off for fly balls and some don't keep on for throws. Catcher preference maybe?

matt.maggio3 said:

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Thanks. What's the rationale on teaching it that way these days? Hockey style vision has improved in past 20 years? Protection if they accidentally have a collision? Protecting the radio? I still see them take it off for fly balls and some don't keep on for throws. Catcher preference maybe?

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Improved vision and fit for the hockey mask, increased protection for accidental collision, and not having a mask on the ground to trip on or get in the way of a throw.

I think Earley's explanation was likely the issue the more I've seen replays. Yes you should always expect the ball to stay down and play from the ground up but that ball definitely took a ground hugging lower skid that it looks like it should have. Unfortunate. But always good to learn those lessons to look back on when you still pull out the win.

When you start to raise your eyes because of a baserunner thundering down on you it starts to go bad. I was always taught to remember you are the one wearing the protective gear.

That runner was 15 feet away when the ball arrived on the mark.

Agreed, but in the moment it doesn't feel that way.

cheeky said:

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That runner was 15 feet away when the ball arrived on the mark.

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15 feet is conservative. Runner wasn't even in the picture on tv.

yeah, Bear has to make that play.
whatever it takes for him to make it.
bet next time he does too.

TMartin said:

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When you start to raise your eyes because of a baserunner thundering down on you it starts to go bad. I was always taught to remember you are the one wearing the protective gear.

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With the new anti collision/obstruction rules, it is even less of an issue these days. You almost never see major contact at the plate these days. Pete Rose would be ejected these days.

16 years as a catcher if theres a play at the plate i'm keeping my mask on. Only time i took it off was when i was calling shifts or pop flys. Half the time i forgot it was on. Also didnt wear the hockey bs.

Grounders in a mit suck, as the throw had pretty much died. People dont realize how hard it is to get rollers. Majority of people criticizing Bear never played the position.

IslanderAg04 said:

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Majority of people criticizing Bear never played the position.

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The story of TexAgs forums.

My kid got absolutely bulldozed at the plate the other night (held on to the ball, made the tag, inning over) in a similar situation. Short hop from short, collision was basically as soon he secured it. I'm 100% sure he had no idea how close the runner was because he didn't flinch or brace while trying to pick the ball. I'm very glad he left his gear on

I have always thought it was interesting that people believe the catcher needs to pull his mask to take a throw when he catches every pitch with it on. I get the throws are different, but the mask simply becomes an extension of the catcher. They are extremely used to it and it does not create an issue.

What do you think? Is this ejection worthy? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/9l1R8cuEr0

— Baseball Lifestyle™ (@BsbLifestyle__) May 7, 2025

Just saw this clip and reminded me of this thread....any why catchers might be leaving the mast on more often now. A hocket mask remaining on here would have atleast padded this kids head smashing into the ground.

IslanderAg04 said:

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16 years as a catcher if theres a play at the plate i'm keeping my mask on. Only time i took it off was when i was calling shifts or pop flys. Half the time i forgot it was on. Also didnt wear the hockey bs.

Grounders in a mit suck, as the throw had pretty much died. People dont realize how hard it is to get rollers. Majority of people criticizing Bear never played the position.

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I played catcher as well and it was a tough play, but I think Bear would be the first to say he should have made it.

You can see him on the tv feed mouthing "MY BAD" to the entire infield and then banging his fist in frustration knowing he should have made that play.

I always pulled mine off since that's how I was taught...may be one of the many reasons why I wasn't recruited as a catcher. I definitely had a limited field of vision even once I switched to the hockey style mask. You're used to receiving pitches, but those are straight on and you're not trying to look out your peripheries to keep an eye on where a runner is and taking a throw from an angle with a bounce. Receiving a throw from the outfield or a cut off man is very different than receiving a pitch.

I think Bear has pretty solid defensive skills so was shocked when he couldn't handle the throw. My original comment/question was not to bash Bear, it was out of curiosity on how its being coached these days and if it played into the result. I coach my son's youth team, so I want to make sure I'm up to speed with the best practices these days and not just coach from what I knew "back in my day".

matt.maggio3 said:

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I always pulled mine off since that's how I was taught...may be one of the many reasons why I wasn't recruited as a catcher. I definitely had a limited field of vision even once I switched to the hockey style mask. You're used to receiving pitches, but those are straight on and you're not trying to look out your peripheries to keep an eye on where a runner is and taking a throw from an angle with a bounce. Receiving a throw from the outfield or a cut off man is very different than receiving a pitch.

I think Bear has pretty solid defensive skills so was shocked when he couldn't handle the throw. My original comment/question was not to bash Bear, it was out of curiosity on how its being coached these days and if it played into the result. I coach my son's youth team, so I want to make sure I'm up to speed with the best practices these days and not just coach from what I knew "back in my day".

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I don't think anyone took it as bashing, he's been so solid defensively I think that's why everyone was surprised. As that throw was approaching I think every fan watching already was recording an out in our scorebook lol.

We've seen some pretty bad catching this year from some of our opponents in some games which has made me even more happy to have Bear.

Other than framing pitches and holding runners he's an average catcher. I'd grade him below average in each of those categories. Needs to show up with his bat to keep his spot. But there isn't much behind him either. We really need to upgrade the catcher position for next season.

Edited to add by SEC standards.

You were right, he made the play the next time