Definition of catcher

The word "catcher" in the context of baseball has its origin in the early days of the game in the mid-19th century. During this time, the position was referred to as the "foul catcher" or "foul fly catcher", as the primary responsibility was to catch foul balls that flew outside the playing field. In the 1860s, the position began to evolve, and the term "catcher" became more widely used. This change in terminology was largely influenced by the popularization of the game in the United States, particularly through the All-American Baseball Team, which was established in 1857. Over time, the role of the catcher expanded to include tasks such as calling pitches, managing the team's defense, and throwing out base runners. Today, the word "catcher" is synonymous with this important position in the game of baseball.