Why is a pitcher expected to defer to a catcher's hand signals?

Two things. The catcher sees a lot more batters than the pitcher does. Catcher plays every day while pitcher plays every fifth day. Also, the catcher obviously must be the one doing the signaling. If the pitcher signaled, the batter would see it.

In addition, the catcher is close to the batter and can read the batter's approach and maybe guess what he's looking for. The catcher sees the entire field, can reposition fielders to match the pitch he's about to call, and can see if any runners might be looking to steal.

Catchers are more (ahem) objective about which pitch is or isn't working that day as well. If you see a pitcher shaking off a catcher, chances are he wants to go to his "best" pitch which may not be working that day.

A catcher like the Cuban might not be allowed to call the game; it might get called from the dugout (like when you see a catcher look into the dugout on every pitch). It's not ideal (although Pudge Rodriguez got by like that for a career), but they may consider it worth it to keep his bat in the lineup.

A big part of a catcher's job is to play protector and psychologist to the pitcher (a notoriously high-strung position). You've seen Mike do that on the show. Catchers like the Cuban aren't going to be able to see beyond their own ego to take care of the pitcher. With his build and attitude, were this the MLB, I could see him and his bat heading for the outfield.

The catcher gives signs to the pitcher more or less as a suggestion and to make sure they're both on the same page. It helps the catcher defensively to know what pitch is coming so they can predict the movement and anticipate whether they might need to block the pitch or not.

Ultimately the pitcher decides whether or not to throw a pitch because if the pitcher isn't 100% committed to throwing it it probably won't be as effective.

Someone pointed out to me that the catcher sees what the batter sees...the position of the fielders, where the gaps are, who is leading off to steal a base, base coaches, etc. If you're a veteran TE in the NFL, and a rookie QB is calling the plays, you best follow your QB if you want to win.

The batter can't see the catcher giving signs for one.


The pitcher has a glove on one hand and the ball in the other.

The pitcher can shake off the catcher's suggestion so it's really a mutual decision

The catcher is the field leader, always. A pitcher may brush him off once in a while but the catcher runs the game. It's funny, the pitcher doesn't bat (American League) and doesn't play every day but he gets the credit for winning the game. The catcher squats through the entire game, is usually a good batter and calls every play but gets no credit. (Yes, my son has been a catcher for many years)

Because THIS can happen if the pitcher doesn't.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBUS3vQtDCA