To catch a pop-up as a softball catcher, find the ball first, then deal with your mask, turn your back to the infield and catch the ball above your head with two hands. Foul pop-ups hit behind or beside the plate usually carry spin that makes them drift back toward the field, so facing away from the infield lets the ball come to you instead of away from you. If you wear a traditional mask, hold it until you know where the ball is going, then toss it well away from your path. If you wear a hockey-style helmet, many coaches suggest keeping it on. Pop-ups look easy, but spin, wind, sun, the backstop and fielders converging on the ball make them one of the trickiest plays a catcher handles. This guide covers each step, communication with infielders, drills and common mistakes.
Health note: This article is general information, not medical advice. Pop-ups near the backstop, dugouts and fences can lead to collisions, and catchers can be hit by the ball if they lose it in the sun. Practice in safe areas, communicate clearly and seek medical attention after any collision or blow to the head.
Pop-up essentials
| Step | Key point |
|---|---|
| Find the ball | Look up in the direction of the swing and follow the ball’s flight |
| Handle the mask | With a traditional mask, hold it, then throw it away from where you will move; many keep a hockey-style helmet on |
| Turn your back to the infield | Spin usually carries the ball back toward the field |
| Call it | Call loudly and early, such as ball, ball, ball |
| Catch it high | Two hands, glove above the face, fingers up |
| Secure and look | Squeeze the ball, then check runners |
Why pop-ups drift
When a batter hits under the ball, it gains strong backspin. For foul pop-ups behind or beside home plate, this spin tends to make the ball curve back toward the infield as it comes down. If the catcher faces the infield while tracking the ball, it drifts away from them, forcing a lunging catch. Turning your back to the infield means the ball drifts toward you, making the catch easier. Wind can also push the ball, so check the wind direction before each inning.
Step-by-step: catching a pop-up
- React to the contact. As soon as you see the ball go up, rise out of your stance.
- Locate the ball by looking in the direction of the swing, usually up and back.
- Remove your mask if you wear one, holding it in your throwing hand until you know the ball’s direction.
- Throw the mask away from your path, so you do not trip on it.
- Turn your back to the infield and move to get under the ball.
- Call for the ball loudly and early.
- Get under the ball with your feet set and balanced.
- Catch with two hands above your face, glove fingers up, and squeeze it.
- Check for runners who may try to advance on a caught foul ball.
Reading the swing
Good catchers anticipate pop-ups before the ball is even in the air. The batter’s swing and the pitch location give clues. A late swing on an inside pitch by a right-handed batter often sends pop-ups toward the first-base side, while a late swing on an outside pitch may send them toward the third-base side, and the reverse is often true for left-handed batters. Pitches up in the zone that are hit underneath tend to go straight up or back toward the backstop. Paying attention to these patterns helps you react faster and start moving in the right direction as soon as the ball is hit. Over a season, you will also learn the tendencies of specific hitters, which helps you position yourself and prepare your infielders.
Mask or helmet?
Catchers wear either a traditional two-piece mask with a separate helmet or a one-piece hockey-style helmet. Many coaches teach catchers with traditional masks to remove the mask so they can see the ball clearly, then toss it away from the play. With a hockey-style helmet, removing it takes more time and can obstruct vision if done badly, so many catchers keep it on for pop-ups. Practice with the equipment you use in games to find what works best.
Communication with infielders
Pop-ups near home plate often bring the catcher, pitcher, first baseman and third baseman toward the ball. Clear communication prevents collisions and dropped balls. Teams set priority rules, and a common system gives infielders priority over the catcher on pop-ups they can reach, since they are moving forward and facing the ball more naturally. The catcher typically handles balls behind and very near the plate. Whoever calls first and loudest usually takes the ball, and others peel off. The catcher can also help by calling out the name of the player who should catch it.
Near the backstop and dugout
Pop-ups near the backstop, fences and dugouts are dangerous. Before the game, check how much room there is between home plate and the backstop, where the dugouts are and whether there are any obstacles. When chasing a pop-up near a barrier, teammates should call out room or fence to help. Reach out with your free hand to feel for the fence if needed. Rules on catches in or near the dugout vary, so confirm them with the umpires before the game.
Sun and wind
Sun and wind make pop-ups harder. Before the game, note where the sun sits relative to home plate and whether the wind is blowing in, out or across. If the sun is a problem, use your glove to shield your eyes while tracking the ball, and consider sunglasses where allowed. Wind can push pop-ups a long way, so keep moving your feet until the ball comes down.
Drills
- Racket pop-ups: A coach uses a tennis racket to hit high pop-ups with backspin.
- Machine pop-ups: A pitching machine aimed upward can create consistent pop-ups.
- Mask toss drill: Practice removing and tossing the mask while finding the ball.
- Priority drill: Catchers and infielders practice calls and peel-offs on pop-ups around home plate.
- Fence awareness drill: Practice pop-ups near the backstop with a teammate calling distance.
- Sun and wind practice: Take pop-ups in different conditions so they feel familiar.
After the catch
On a caught foul pop-up, runners can tag up and advance, so check the bases immediately. Be ready to throw if a runner tries to advance. With runners on, the pitcher and infielders should communicate where the throw should go.
Common mistakes
- Facing the infield, so the ball drifts away.
- Throwing the mask too early, sometimes into your own path.
- Not calling for the ball, leading to collisions.
- Drifting under the ball instead of getting set.
- Catching with one hand or with the glove below the face.
- Ignoring the backstop and dugouts.
- Forgetting runners after the catch.
Frequently asked questions
Why should catchers turn their back to the infield on pop-ups?
Because spin usually makes foul pop-ups drift back toward the field, so turning away lets the ball come to you.
Should a catcher take off their helmet on a pop-up?
With a traditional mask, many catchers remove it and toss it away. With a hockey-style helmet, many keep it on. Practice with the equipment you use.
Who has priority on a pop-up near home plate?
It depends on the team’s system, but often infielders have priority over the catcher on balls they can reach.
