I've Never Seen A Catcher Make This Play! 🤯

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[@JoeyD_AU98]

Matt “what do you know, this guy plays IF too, he’s a real athlete” Catchers: 😢

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Haha sorry catchers!!! 😂

[@JoeyD_AU98]

@@AntonelliBaseball as a former pitcher I love my catchers, but none of my former catchers could have made that player either. The runner has to do a better job of reading the ball in the dirt and not hesitating/turn his hips and running. The runner is also a catcher 😂

[@MultiEviscerator]

@@JoeyD_AU98 I hate to be critical of a fellow baseball fan, but not only was that ball way into the dirt outside of what a MLB catcher might be expected to field, but if the runner (or his 3rd base coach) didn't try for 3rd in that scenario, I'd be freaking out about how passive this team was offensively.

[@AllAmericanGuyExpert]

This is like a catcher's dream founded on the passed-ball-backstop-catch-throw principle that never works. Re-upload this as a short, re-edit it, and use the "Probability 0.0001% Passed Ball Out by Catcher" title. When you make $10k on it, send me a bone, Matt!

[@JoeyD_AU98]

@@MultiEviscerator in college our coach had an automatic steal on a ball in the dirt so I absolutely think he should have run on that pitch. I’m saying the read was poor and he got a late jump. If he had a better read and turns his hips and runs instead of a side shuffle he makes it easy.

[@walterrutherford8321]

He jump pirouettes in mid air and fires that ball off with a only fraction of a second to locate the third baseman. Very impressive.

[@walterrutherford8321]

@traybern So? The plsyer IS moving in three directions: up/down, horitontally, and rotationally. And unless he has PERFECT spacial body awareness, he still needs to locate the bag to tbrow to it literally on the fly, which means adjusting 3 ways from his normal throw to compensate. I dare you to try that in your house. Turn your back to office size trashcan, take a ball of paper, then simultaneously jump high, spin, no peeking, (you say you don't need to see the bag), and throw the ball right into the can. Even at 8ft, I dont think you'll be able to hit it on the first try, and that's even without also moving away like the catcher was. You may not be impressed, but that throw was spectacular!

[@thebeauchinator]

An EXTREMELY important moment is at 1:20 when you can see that the catcher had the presence of mind to plant his back foot ON THE WALL as he threw, which was how he got so much power on the throw. While the pitcher is blocking the direct view of his foot, if you watch closely you can see that his plant leg doesn't move at all, which it obviously wouldn't do if it was just in the air.

[@TonyCrenshawsLatte]

This channel is pure gold. And that play was pure gold.

[@twhmmh]

Props to the umpire for hustling to position himself for a good view/call.

[@FAB_GNC]

Absolutely 👍🏻

[@darinlegore284]

must be a preseason game, or a Division III game (they were working a 2 man umpire crew?)

[@johnnyjerkfacepresents7036]

@@darinlegore284 It’s a regular season game between St Peters and San Francisco U… two D1 teams

[@1969EType]

That’s what we do. From the C position, when the ball is by F2, we turn the head slightly to the right and look for movement over the shoulder to indicate R2 is going. If R2 is going, U1 needs to be going because as this play illustrates…you just never know. This is amongst the greatest defensive plays I have ever seen in my 40 years around the game and certainly near the top of the best plays in amateur baseball.

[@tidbitsofjesus7712]

Naw, this one is all about the player

[@TimFrakes]

Antonelli Baseball is everything that is good about baseball. Thanks for bringing this great play to light.

[@bucksdiaryfan]

Go back and watch his vidoes that contain explanations into the various aspects of professional baseball and baseball life ("What is it like to be sent to the minors?") You literally cannot find anything like them anywhere else. They carried me through Covid

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks!!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

@@bucksdiaryfan glad you enjoyed them!!

[@Bruss813]

​@bucksdiaryfan Yea his storytelling makes you feel like you're there.

[@randallreed9048]

I agree. This is pure baseball pleasure!

[@deanconner9684]

Unbelievable play all around.

[@donaldhoudek2889]

OUTSTANDING Play!!!

[@paulbrower]

Remember that taking the next base on a passed ball or wild pitch that fully passes the catcher is automatic for any baserunner (unless to home plate). The errant baseball usually veers away from the catcher who must run at least as far a the baserunner and has a long throw to any base except home plate.

[@joemckim1183]

That was a perfect set of circumstances for that play to work. The wall had to be fairly close to home plate and the ricochet off the wall had to be right to the catcher with the catcher being able to barehand the ball so he didn't have to waste time transferring the ball from his glove. You couldn't draw up that play and for it to work out that perfectly.

[@MH-Tesla]

Yes. This doesn't look like a league field. Even high school requires 60 feet from home plate to back stop.

[@paulbrower]

Probably also a very slow baserunner at second or at least someone not on base often (a pitcher who got to second base?) Pitchers are often horrible baserunners and are generally told to do station-to-statio base-running. They are often the runners who go to third from second on a double.

[@SFbayArea94121]

Not much space in SF to build a field of any sort. This place literally down the street from where I used to live.

[@MwD676]

@@MH-Tesla this is Benedetti Field-the official home of San Fran University Dons. It also appears to me that there is much less than 60 ft between plate and backstop. NCAA apparently ‘recommends’ a distance of 60 feet. [edit: appears in 2019 ncaa changed to a 45’ recommendation. Though they still say 60’ from foul line to fence or grandstand.]

[@MwD676]

Found a pic of the field online. The coach’s box is on the warning track-just feet from the dugout. Pretty much confirms our suspicions.

[@gregoryk.tanaka4285]

Agree, this is one of the most amazing defensive plays I have ever seen. It is almost on a par with that famous Ozzie Smith play where he was diving to his left as the shortstop-and the ball took a bad bounce so that Smith had to reach back, while fully prone, and grab the ball with his free right hand…then throw out the runner at first. Almost as good. This was one heck of a throw by the catcher!!!

[@JS-ce1vd]

Looked like a shortstop throwing to first on an infield grounder that is on the edge of his range. It also looks like he used the backstop wall to get leverage into his throw. Top notch 200 IQ.

[@_DB.COOPER]

Did he use his foot to push off the fence? Either way what an athlete. Incredible play.

[@tima.478]

I agree, that dig and tag were legendary too! Great job by both players.

[@blu3collar949]

My catcher made that play numerous times. He had to. I was wild. LOL

[@VTPSTTU]

Thanks for sharing an amazing play.

[@dons337]

Must be doing pretty good in school at physics. Looks like he did a foot plant on the backstop before the throw, not to take anything away from his arm, but that had to have helped.

[@SithScribe21]

What. A. Freakin. Play! That’s a Big League, Yadi->Chipper All-Star type play!! Love this defense and the way they’re pumped up after the play, def gonna save this one ⭐️ ⚾️

[@Unlitedsoul]

LOL. Yadi, nor any other professional catcher, would not have let the ball get by him. Why? He wouldn't be sitting near flat behind inside portion of the plate while leaning on his mitt in the dirt as the pitcher is throwing. Most collegiate catchers (let alone pro catchers) with actual catching mechanics and skill would have easily shuffled to their right and smothered the pitch. This dude got lucky, because he came real close to having to run all the to the dugout to chase the ball he deflected... all because he's a terrible catcher.

[@francoisdubois80]

Asking for a friend ... isn't this terrible base running - or maybe the coach sent him? I was always, always, always taught NEVER put yourself in a position to make the third out trying to get third.

[@seeks384]

About the ONLY thing that could’ve make this play even more spectacular ~ If, while in midair, he would have the presence of mind to use the backstop, (or in this case the brick wall) to push off of, thus enabling him to make even a stronger laser throw to third ~ Oh, wait; I think he did!! If you slow it down and watch closely, it appears (@ least IMO) that he did exactly that!! Take a closer look and lmk what you think 🤔

[@MwD676]

Take nothing away from a very impressive play by the catcher looking like a SS. But that was quite a ricochet off the bricks. C was only 2 steps off the “dirt” circle when he picked up the ball. And, it sure appears that the backstop is quite a bit less than the standard 60 feet from the plate.

[@Seriously_Unserious]

Great play for sure, but I will point out the elephant in the room too, which Antoneiil surprisingly completely missed. The catcher got a lucky bounce. Did anybody else see that ball hit an weird corner and bounce back the way it came, right to the catcher? I guarantee you, had the ball bounced away from the catcher like it normally would, and no doubt the runner on 2nd expected it to, the catcher would have had no play at 3rd. That extra split second of time that friendly bounce saved him made all the difference in the world. Still, incredible play as 99% of catchers or any players will not be able to capitalize on the opportunity that bounce created.

[@WowOafus]

I rarely watch baseball, but your videos are always something I look forward to.

[@randallreed9048]

Wow! Baseball genius! I have to think that, at some point, he ran it in his head, "if there is a passed ball, the guy on second is going for third." As it happened, I think he has a microsecond to decide if he will make the throw or not as he spins around. And then he does! And I think that the mental prep for this play is what makes it work.

[@76bwjordan]

"No catcher in the history of catchers has ever practiced this play before..." LMAO!

[@frankpesco7723]

Third baseman bailed him out with a sweet pick and tag. Stupid throw, should have went into left feild and gave them a run.

[@conniejackson7929]

The wall helped with his footing as well. Great job to the catcher

[@beckrw]

Zack Ramppen's dad is Frank Ramppen, one of Bobby Valentine's former assistant coaches in Japan. He also co-founded and helps run Valentine's facility in Stamford, CT. They have done a phenomenal job for many years!

[@stevenkramer3431]

Pretty cool. There's another player on their roster, David Bedrosian...I wonder if he's related to Steve and Cam Bedrosian?

[@furyofbongos]

The accuracy!!!!!

[@eugenedillenburg3329]

One thing you didn't mention is that the catcher actually scales the wall slightly. He places is right foot on the wall at the base of the glass, which I think steadies him a bit and allows him to get a little more on his throw.

[@cosmostrek2001]

there was a short on mlb youtube channel. it said if derek jeter was a catcher.

[@nacoran]

Kind of reminds me of the famous Jeter throw. It figures it would come from the college level. Catcher's knees don't work like that very long into their careers.

[@tommyfu9271]

this is so much better than that. The Jeter jump throw was literally never a good play. It was him getting to the ball later than any other ss in baseball. An outfielder taking a bad route to a ball and having to slide to catch a ball other fielders catch with ease isn't a great play. The jeter play in the hole is no different. this is a really incredible play by this catcher.Bare handing a ball bouncing off the wall and in one motion throwing it like that from an angle he's probably never made in his life before is amazing.

[@andhisband]

The ball took a miraculous carom off the backstop.

[@MiC-T]

My 5 year old daughter said the catcher should have blocked it.

[@jefffinlayson3002]

Wow, his throw is so good that the 3rd baseman has to wait on the runner to tag!

[@bobwhit1544]

Perfect positioning by the ump in a three person crew. Did not lose a step even in a very unusual situation.

[@DC-dc7ty]

Great video Matt - love this find!! Keep’em coming. And thanks for the breakdown. Love to see you do breakdowns in defensive okays where that extra step or two are saved, like the way this guy completely nailed.

[@delmerdutka8281]

In Phoenix watching spring ball / Cactus League (‘24) . Saw an identical play today (KC vs San Fran) Surprise Stadium. The ball went by the catcher, hit the padding behind the catcher and as he turned it bounced back to him, he one-handed it & threw to third. The runner this situation was safe, but it was bang-bang. A lot of athleticism all-round, catcher, base runner , 3rd baseman & umpire at third to stay attentive to the developing play. 🤟

[@genesispuredeaf2390]

Great play….excellent celebration too. Most of all in how he points to his catcher giving him his due! Thx for making that comment

[@babababad]

Flipping the ball up like a cricket celebration!

[@mikefargo4339]

My son had a deliberate play somewhat like that in HS & college. With a right handed batter (the batter blocks the runners view), he'd call for a pitch low in the dirt thrown on the 1B side... he'd slide over to receive it, while tossing his mask and looking confused like he lost site of the ball. Then turn and get the base runner out at 3B coming home. They called it the toilet play... it worked everytime on a team that didn't know about it.

[@AlexB-xq6zj]

Thank God this wasn’t in a 2024 mlb spring training game! MLB umps probably call this safe and award runner to score, since 3rd baseman had his knee in front of base slightly before he had the ball.🙄

[@meade6291]

I played for a while behind the dish and I never made a play that beautiful

[@davemmar]

The ball was way ahead of the runner. Quick reflexes and an accurate throw make this one of the best defensive plays ever.

[@cliffordbaxter1992]

That was FUCKING Awesome,......That is Truly an Athlete ✝️🇺🇸😀😀😀😀😀

[@cdrum5994]

Incredible play. Wow! And you know the game well. Infielding move for sure.

[@armadilllo]

lucky bounce

[@EnyeWillingham]

Gimme 1 MLB catcher...former or present, that could make that play. I'll go first...Benito Santiago.

[@joedawson5353]

Awesome post and take Matt!

[@kencross25]

Wow!

[@markmcelheney7513]

If He Don't Get Drafted Quick, Somebody Is Screwing Up Big Time

[@lawrencevandenberg7725]

Oscar. And Golden Globe. And Emmy. & a big chocolate milk shake!

[@wolfen8622]

Good awareness, quick thinking and a 180noscope+? Nice.

[@ItchyKneeSon]

Dem's middle-infielder moves. And catchers and middle infielders not-so-rarely swap positions.

[@kevinmonroy4610]

Every good catcher just plain sticks it - 😂 only infielders know this

[@jeffmerklin2022]

Dude's having a good year at plate so far too. 16-53, 4 walks, 7 hbp, 5 doubles and 13 ribbies. From Connecticut...odd.

[@johnking6252]

My immediate thoughts.....shortstop! Great play!

[@nukeboy4939]

Everything was literally perfect when it bounced off the wall.

[@harrowryan7944]

Did that base runner have a piano on his back ?? Holy slowpoke ………..😅

[@MrSetinel]

Don Kessinger made throws like that bavk in the 1960's.

[@xaclockard9472]

I saw the catcher jump onto the brick wall with one leg and push off toward 3rd base. still awesome...

[@mr.mcpurrz3143]

I don't watch or care about sports. No clue why this was recommended. However, that play was incredible!

[@bostonterrierplanet-bn1ge]

I recall seeing Johnny Bench do something similar with the Reds, but that should not be a surprise.

[@NYJJ99]

Great play , but besides the bad jump off second he is slow ( a bit heavy) regardless though, great instinct and reflexes by the catcher! 👍👏

[@jefftracy4379]

I only rarely comment, but this play was ridiculous!

[@tpresto9862]

Situational awareness. He might not have KNOWN that the runner would breaking for third, but he knew in that situation that it was likely. (although I bet his teammates were yelling "THIRD, THIRD, THIRD!")

[@0101-s7v]

He doesn't just jump. Watch his right foot. He jumps up onto the backstop, turns and then launches the ball.

[@lgwapo6793]

I don’t know how you jump and throw with huevos that big. Great effort.

[@rodneydavenport4646]

You’re right,Tony. I was a catcher in my athletic days and I’ve never seen a great throw like this from a catcher.😮🎉 oh yeah, I’m 71 now.

[@tmakinthehouse]

Short wall. I've seen that in travel softball when my daughter was 16. Key is the wall.

[@EclecticHillbilly]

Heads up play but my guess is teammates were yelling that the runner was going. More than one player was paying attention, evidently.

[@RobKandell]

Great play, but enjoy it well you’re young. Catching is harder on the knees than goalkeeping in hockey.

[@mikeholt1248]

As a baseball purist having played & watched baseball since age 6 (69 yrs & counting), I have never seen a play like this. To say it’s a great play doesn’t even BEGIN to describe it!!

[@captainsworld1986]

Wait, WUH??!!

[@jamesdelap4085]

Run scores if catcher throws the ball away too . .Unlike acrobatic throws to first.

[@arightscepter]

I wonder if a beefy build make you slightly stronger not losing power from twisting with no base. Either way - that's grown man, as they/we would say. Great Catcher plays are fun to see. Used to watch such a things on TV with Johnny Bench.

[@DavidEJacob]

Pure muscle memory…if you were to ask him how he did that he’d probably say he doesn’t know, he just did it!

[@denveyebanks4787]

Wow! A "Derek Jeter" type throw? So nobody ever threw a ball like that until Jeter? Are you serious?

[@davidwolfe7145]

It's really basic strategy. Offense: Do whatever it takes to get an extra base ("free 90" as Matt calls it). Defense: Do whatever it takes do to get the runner out. The runner attempts to steal on a wild pitch. The catcher makes an acrobatic throw to get the runner out. Both play heads up ball, but the runner wasn't fast enough to beat the throw. I'm impressed with the catcher making the acrobatic throw with all the gear on. The runner could have started sooner, the instant the ball bounced off the catcher's mitt. Both 1B and 3B coaches should be watching and tell him to go. A fraction of a second sooner and he would have beat the throw. 3B had sole responsibility for the catch and tag. LF and SS will not get there in time. While it's not likely they practiced that acrobatic throw, everyone practices "around the horn." where the catcher makes the first throw to third. Even though he's not behind the plate like in the drill, he will know where he needs to throw the ball for 3B to make the tag.

[@darinlegore284]

In an NCAA game I was working bases, I had a catcher receive a pitched ball, then put out a runner (pick off) too far lead at second base!

[@ronshaw9795]

Unbelievable play, great athletic performance

[@txhessvids3353]

Great play all around... catcher hustle and awareness, third baseman backhand and tag and umpire hustle to be in position to make the call.

[@SirLionofBiff]

As a de facto Blue Jays fan, I am stuck watching Alejandro Kirk, who is woefully out of shape and would sprain his lard if he tried this.

[@GynJitsuRonin]

Catcher here. I practiced those type plays. Because I admidered opportunities infielders & outfielders created. Lead to me contributing to timely plays/outs.

[@athleticgeek1]

Before Matt even said it I knew this guy could play IF, especially shortstop. I was moved from SS in HS to 3B/IB in D1 and the minors as I couldn't make a play like that in the hole at 6'3", even with a good arm. If he can hit he'll get drafted.

[@jackc70]

I think you looked him up before you thought he was an in-fielder.

[@roxyviews7644]

The throw known as "the Jeter". Beautiful. But, if you throw it into the bull pin and that runner trots home....oof, hell to pay.

[@davidziff2591]

I grew up in the late '40s and the '50s on Yankee baseball and loved the game. But, I never played with 9 guys on a side, never had a real base (we'd take off our jackets and put them on the ground), we had no catching gear (the team at bat provided the catcher), and we certainly had no coach. I loved the game but didn't know much beyond what you could see at the ballpark or on TV. I find Antonelli's videos and commentary so enriching. It's like meeting the girl you've always loved but never really got a chance to know.

[@tomw485]

Absolutely amazing play by the catcher but I have to give a lot of credit to the 3rd baseman on the backhanded pick and quick tag. That is NOT easy and is a guaranteed run if he misses it.

[@elementau1210]

Question. Is a WP or a PB scored in the books? It's erased because steal was negated, right?

[@stevebabiak6997]

That throw whizzing past the heads of the HP umpire and the batter …

[@timdonovan4554]

Think he might have planted his right on the lower pad on the wall...very athletic

[@daviddecelles8714]

Definitely, a spectacular and rare defensive play; but the base runner inexcusably got such a late start even with the umpire apparently partially blocking his view.

[@Brian-nx3yp]

Yeah, I think Ant was trying to be nice.

[@shinnstoneer7]

I'm going to be 'that guy'. The one who says, I have a story just like this... So, it's not JUST like this. The runner was on third and the ball was high and went straight to the backstop. It was 13-15 year old league. Catchers name is Russ Moore, this was in the early to mid 90's. The backstop was deeper than this one appears but not a lot. The ball gets over his glove...oh, he was an athlete who played middle infield some as well, but not much...too good behind the plate. I was a coach on his team. So, he runs towards the backstop and got a decent bounce back but on the ground. He slid feet first, grabbed the ball on his downward slide and threw a strike to the pitcher who miraculously covered (13-15 remember) and got the runner. I'm not certain which pitcher but I think it was a kid first name Paul. Anyway, this reminded me of that play. No idea where Russ is today. I thought he was going to be a decent college prospect but I don't know whether he ever pursued that.

[@gmac9231]

@Antonelli Baseball you should care more about the catcher’s jump and compare him less to Derek Jitter. The catcher appears to have executed an MMA style move If you look more closely at the catcher’s leg while he is mid air he pushes off the wall with his right foot likely increasing the strength in his throwing arm to complete the play at 3rd base.

[@sandragoodman2059]

What a great play! Yes, it's true that the guy on second base didn't run right away, but just look at how much the catcher's throw beats him! Bravo!

[@gordoh7634]

Wow! If that ball goes into left field, the guy trots home. Great pick by 3rd. Another reason you don't see it often with 2 outs. Often they just don't throw at all. Did you notice the pitcher's fall off towards first base? (hence the wild pitch) that needs to be corrected. I like to see a drive to home with as little fall to the right or left, depending if you're a righty or a lefty.

[@rogueldr642smiythe9]

Antonelli typically this is practice. My days with our pitcher this is how we did cardio! 😂

[@MultiEviscerator]

As a former pitcher and dad of a high level pitcher is concerned (we both played the field also, but knew our bread & butter was developing our pitching skills) catchers are certainly underrated defensively. That is so much an underrated statement as far as the catcher position is concerned (just like the channels narrator said), he has never seen such an effort by a catcher to make such a play. Frankly, it must be a combination of skill and foresight to even attempt such a play, as it is not practiced on any level (including Pee-Wee) in baseball. Sure top level coaches sometimes get you ready for the once in a lifetime scenario, but unless this kid or coaches last name is Berra, Fisk, or Bench Jr., WTH are we discussing? I'd be willing to buy free rounds for not only the player, but his coaches and/or dad for the rest of the night!

[@damoon2631]

They don't call them the pros for nothing!!!

[@tomdavis6371]

I thought the kid behind the plate might have played some 3rd base.

[@digitalmdrealmd9124]

Hey antonelli, what the F!, as a former AAA catcher I take offense at your insinuation that catchers aren't athletes and that guy had to be an infielder playing out of position in order to make that play. Just because we tend to look and run like clydesdales doesnt mean we're not athletic. I have made plays like that so many times I could do them in my sleep. Wait, i was asleep, does dreaming count? I think if I actually tried that when i was playing I would have ended up in traction for a week. Amazing play by that young man.