Although it’s not common, you do sometimes see a pitcher snag a comebacker with his bare, pitching hand, and then throw to first for an out. It’s not an advisable play, given the importance of that pitching hand, but sometimes instincts take over, and the turn of the body is such that only the pitching hand is available to make the play.
What you definitely don’t see very often – ever? – is a pitcher catching a line drive with his bare, pitching hand.
But Canal-Winchester (OH) pitcher Austin Trace did just that:
Pitcher Catches Line Drive Bare Handed
High school pitcher catches this line drive up the middle with his bare hand.Austin Trace from Canal Winchester High School (OH) (via @austin__36 on twitter)
Posted by Baseball Fam on Friday, April 8, 2016
Again, I’m not sure how advisable that play is, but dang if it doesn’t look as badass as they come.
Reach, snag, turn. Boss.
You are the man today, Austin Trace. I am going to watch that catch again and again.