What Is Framing
Framing is a catching technique where the catcher manipulates the mitt to make balls appear as strikes. Since umpire calls depend on human eyesight, it has long been empirically known that mitt position and movement at the moment of catching influence calls. However, quantitative evaluation of this skill only began in the 2010s. In MLB, the introduction of PITCHf/x and Statcast enabled comparison of actual pitch trajectories with umpire calls, clearly revealing differences in framing ability among catchers. Elite framing catchers can 'earn' 15-20 extra strikes per year, equivalent in value to approximately two home runs. In NPB, TrackMan installation has progressed, and serious quantification of framing began in the 2020s.
Find books about catching techniques on Amazon
Current State of Framing Evaluation in NPB
Since around 2019, TrackMan has been installed in all NPB stadiums, enabling accumulation of pitch data. This allows compilation of umpire call rates on borderline pitches by catcher. Progressive teams have begun incorporating this data into catcher evaluations. SoftBank's Takuya Kai is known as one of the catchers with high framing ability. His catching is praised for 'minimal mitt movement,' with high strike call rates on borderline pitches. However, NPB framing evaluation still faces challenges. Large individual differences in umpire strike zones and environmental variations between stadiums make analysis less precise than in MLB. Additionally, overemphasis on framing risks alienating umpires if catchers obviously pull the mitt after catching.
Framing's Impact on Game Outcomes
Understanding framing's value requires considering how a single strike-or-ball call affects a game. There is a significant difference in batting average between 1-1 and 1-2 counts, and whether a borderline pitch is called a strike or ball can dramatically change the at-bat outcome. Statistically, one strike is worth approximately 0.13 runs. A catcher who earns 100 extra strikes through framing over a season contributes approximately 13 runs. Over NPB's 143-game season, 13 runs equates to roughly 1.3 wins. This is not a trivial number and can be decisive in late-season pennant races decided by a single game. Framing has been undervalued precisely because it is an 'invisible skill,' but data visualization is bringing recognition of its true worth.
Books on baseball data analysis are also helpful
Framing in the Robot Umpire Era
The Automated Ball-Strike system (ABS) has the potential to fundamentally eliminate framing's value. MLB expanded ABS testing in minor leagues from 2024, with future major league implementation in sight. If ABS is adopted, subjective umpire calls disappear, reducing framing's value to zero. ABS introduction is also discussed in NPB, but the traditional view that 'umpire calls are part of baseball' remains strong, making the timeline uncertain. If ABS were implemented, the skill set required of catchers would change dramatically. Effort previously devoted to framing would shift to blocking, throwing, and pitch-calling precision. Framing is a technique that retains value as long as human umpires exist, but whose lifespan is determined by technological advancement - a rare characteristic in baseball history.