Catcher's Setup Target
Also known as: setting a target, giving a target
A catcher's setup target is the glove spot shown before the pitch. It gives the pitcher a clear, steady point to aim at and signals the intended location.
Before every pitch, the catcher holds a steady glove target at the spot where the pitch should go. That spot can be inside, outside, up, or down in the zone. A clear, early, unmoving target gives the pitcher a fixed point to aim at through the whole delivery. A target that shifts late, moves too early, or is unclear forces the pitcher to adjust at the last instant. That late adjustment often costs location precision.
A good target also takes some subtlety when a runner is on second base, because that runner may be reading location signs. To stop a runner from relaying location to the batter, experienced catchers vary when they show the target or use disguised setups. Beyond showing where the ball should go, the setup also includes body position: weight, stance width, and a relaxed but stable base. That base needs to hold through the pitch so the target doesn't drift as the pitcher begins the delivery.
Example
The catcher set up early and held a steady low-and-away target throughout the windup, giving the pitcher a clear, unmoving spot to locate the sinker.
Why it matters
A stable, well-timed target is a simple but high-impact catching fundamental. It directly affects how well the pitcher can hit the location the battery (pitcher and catcher) agreed on.
How it shows up on video
On video, a good setup shows the target established early and held completely still through the pitcher's delivery. A poor setup shows the catcher moving the glove late. This shifts position as the pitcher begins the windup, or presenting a target so far off the intended location that the pitcher has no honest aiming point.
Common mistakes
- Moving the target late or right as the pitcher begins the delivery, giving no honest window to actually aim at the intended spot
- Setting up so far off the true intended location (to disguise pitch calls) that the pitcher no longer has a useful reference point
- Failing to hold a stable base through the pitch, causing the target to drift even without an intentional late move
In SwingVantage Motion Lab
Motion Lab does not see the pitcher or track your glove, so it cannot time when your target is set.
Frequently asked questions
Why do catchers sometimes set up late or disguise their target?
To prevent a baserunner at second base from relaying pitch location to the batter — setting up late or using a decoy position removes that advantage while still giving the pitcher time to see the real target.
Related terms
- Framing a PitchFraming is how a catcher receives a borderline pitch so it looks like a strike. The catcher uses soft hands and sticks the pitch where it arrives.
- Blocking a Pitch (Catching)Blocking is when a catcher smothers a pitch in the dirt with the body and chest protector, not the glove. It keeps the ball in front, preventing a passed ball.
- Pitch SequencingPitch sequencing is the art of ordering pitches to exploit a hitter's tendencies and set up future offerings — making each pitch more effective because of what came before.
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