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I have been reading few baseball related comics and, in all the comics what I have observed is that,the catchers always signal what the pitcher has to throw. It is as if the catchers are the brain behind the variations in the pitches thrown at the batter.
Is it always the case or can a pitcher simply throw without asking for signals from the catcher ?
Most Major League starting pitchers have between three and four different kinds of pitches that they can throw throughout the game. Examples are
The break and speed of these pitches vary quite dramatically so it's important for the catcher to know what's coming.
The reason that a pitcher has so many pitches is so that he can vary the speed, rotation, location and break to the batter. If the batter knows what pitch is coming they can largely negate the advantage that the pitcher creates by being able to mix their pitches.
Generally you want signs to be simple between a pitcher and a catcher. This is due to the fact that miscommunication with signals can lead to passed balls, wild pitches and even injury to the catcher.
This means that most of the time it makes sense for the catcher and pitcher to communicate via a simple system. The catcher shows the sign between his legs and the pitcher either nods to accept the sign or shakes his head to tell the catcher to change pitches. Then the catcher places his glove in the intended location and that becomes the target location for the pitch.
However, this is not the whole story. The catcher is generally not just calling pitches. Generally pitch selection is either the result of prior planning and discussion with the pitcher (they will generally meet before a game to work on how to get specific hitters out). Or the pitches are relayed by the manager or pitching coach from the dugout to the catcher and then to the pitcher.
Some specific situations where this system changes:
This mostly applies to starting pitchers. When a reliever enters the game usually they throw fewer pitches (some great ones only have a single pitch, see Mariano Rivera with the cut fastball), and they will likely not have as well developed of a gameplan with their catcher. This is where having a veteran catcher who knows a pitcher very well is really important. He potentially knows the hitters better than the pitcher does and is the guide for the reliever to get outs.
The pitcher has the final decision, since he is the one throwing the pitch. Before every game, the pitcher, catcher and pitching coach meet to discuss pitching strategies. They already have an approach before the batter steps into the batter's box.
The catcher then signals the pitcher (sometimes, the coach will signal the catcher first). This is primarily done to make sure, on any given pitch, they are in agreement. Trying to catch a 95mph fastball up and in when you are set up for a slider down and away can lead to a lot of wild pitches. The catcher does this because if the pitcher did it, the batter will see the signs.
The pitcher then decides if he is comfortable with the pitch called and either nods or shakes it off. Knowing a strategy before a game starts doesn't take into account a pitchers feel and comfort level with the pitch once he starts pitching in-game. In most cases, the pitchers agree because they have a relationship with the catcher, they both prepare in advance.
Here's 3 quick things to keep in mind
A pitcher just throwing without a sign is a no no and will most definitely bring quite a bit of anger from both the catcher and the pitcher's manager. The only time you'll see a pitcher not get a sign is when multiple pitches have been called, say after a catcher's trip to the mound, often in a close game situation.
The catcher is the one to make the call because the sign can be easily stolen if done by the pitcher directly.
Secondly, the catcher also needs to give the sign to the pitcher to pick off any runners on base if any as the catcher is the only player that can see the entire infield and outfield.
This doesn't necessarily mean the catcher makes all the decision, before the games, they already discussed the pitch patterns and the pitcher can choose to reject the pitch by body signs so the catcher makes another sign.
If the pitcher signaled the pitch then the hitter would see - that is your answer.
Whether the pitcher, catcher, or coach decides ultimately on what gets pitched is really up to the coach. I caught for years and always called my games. When my backup came in the coach called some. Also the coaches will decide if the pitcher can waive them or the catcher out. I have had pitchers waive me off and be taken out the next chance.
Generally until you get into the MLB level you don't want your pitchers putting so much thought on pitches. They should be worrying about throwing the pitches right - whatever is called. The catcher has more insight into the hitter because he is right next to him and can see his reaction to different pitches.
A catcher who knows how to properly call a game is essential to any team who hopes to win. As said above, there is a simple finger system that they use to communicate. But there is so much more that goes into deciding what pitch to throw next.
Every team has a scouting report that lists every hitter's tendencies, strengths and weaknesses. This is compiled by an advance scout who attends the games of the opponent. Before every game the pitcher, catcher and pitching coach go over the report and develop a strategy. A lot of the times that strategy is thrown out the window depending on the situation. A catcher has to know what a hitters tendencies are including what pitch he is most successful against, which pitch he is least successful against, where he likes to hit the ball whether it be to the opposite field, up the middle, or pulling the ball. If there are any runners on base he has to know how good of a baserunner they are and what they are most likely to do.
So many things go into pitch selection it's impossible to list them all. Just know it's a lot more complicated than you think.
