Squatting Consequences

Consequences of Catching

Most athletes that were catchers will tell you that they would never trade their experiences catching, however, the excessive squatting required in the position often leaves long-term injuries on their knees. Many parents encourage their children to try other positions because of the risks of catching later in life. The catcher is an essential part of baseball and softball, so, without them the game would change completely. The need for the athlete outweighs the risks of the job.

Even though the squatting position seems comfortable and natural, it can have long lasting effects on the knees of the athlete. The sharp movements catchers use cause the cartilage in the knee to degrade over time. The tight angle that the body forces the knee into is what causes the friction in the knee. It is believed that the excessive

Injuries are also likely when catchers are going through growth spurts at any age. The pain is caused by from the movement of the kneecap, caused from the weakness in the hip or quadriceps. There are many ways to try and help strengthen these areas such as squats and leg focused stretching. The leg-press is a safe way to strengthen the knees while still being able to control weight they are exposed to. While laying on your back and pushing the weight upward, the leg muscles are forced to contract and work properly.

There are also alternative ways to wear the equipment. Knee savers are little blocks made out of foam that can be placed behind the knee. They are supposed to help the catch sit in a more natural upright position and reduce the pressure put on their knees. The bad part about the blocks is that it makes it harder to drop for low or wild pitches. They also slow down the reaction time when trying to make fast throws to bases. Most higher level athletes opt out of using knee savers because