Rakuten’s American Wind Marr’s framing for catchers – Professional Baseball Reporter Column – Baseball Column: Daily Sports

The “4 balls” are filled with the essence of the first level. On the 7th, pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (32) threw the first bullpen after joining 1st Army camp in Kin, Okinawa. Wearing the old nest uniform for the first time in 8 years, 40 balls for Ota, regular catcher candidate who sat down. He monopolized the bullpen and tested all types of ball in a tense environment, like in a real battle. The adaptation to the Japanese specifications is going well and we have taken steps to return to the field this month.

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Masahiro Tanaka accelerates the “American way”. The first bullpen after returning. A captivating sound that sounds like “Bachin!” Echoes. After the launch, Ota, who acted as receiver, apologized, “I’m sorry I didn’t make too much noise,” but replied, “You don’t have to worry about the sound.” “Naturally, it gives me strength. On the contrary, it makes me feel good. After going there, I didn’t care about the sound,” he said.

Mitsuyama Battery and Defensive Strategy Coach, who has been in charge of catcher training since 2019, promotes “framing” for hitting and hitting the fragile ball with a glove. In Japan, the movement to stop the glove is basic, but in the United States it is mainstream. Even in camp catcher practice now, you can see some ideas like catching a ball heavier than the game ball with your bare hands and catching the ball while pulling it with a tube.

After pitching the bullpen, Masahiro Tanaka asked, “I hope you catch the fragile spot so you can strike.” Ota said, “We were thinking and Mr. Tanaka told me, so I’ll keep practicing. I want to do it,” deepened her confidence. The American wind is already blowing in the team.[Mikihisa Kuwahara]