Can you put a player behind the catcher?

I don't know why, but this question made me laugh. I guess because I got a visual.

yea you can. I'm pretty sure you can put a player anywhere in foul territory

it seems ridiculous, but it just came to me when i realized there are basically 4 or so guys doing nothing on the field. besides the pitcher, catcher, a guy holding the runner and someone to cover if he steals, everyone else is dicking off.

another question is do you have to have a catcher when there is no one on base. it does not matter if the ball gets by until there are either two strikes or 3 balls really. i guess you have to play for the bunt, but could you not just let every pitch go to the backstop and have an extra fielder?

Sorry guys, but the rule is you can only have one player (the catcher) start a play in foul territory.

well that answers one of my questions and that makes sense.

any idea about the 2nd question?

i'm guessing you have to have the catcher in foul territory to start the play

I think someone HAS to be behind the plate during the wind-up. This is implied when the catcher stands behind the plate until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand during an intentional walk.

Or else, why doesn't the catch just stand off to the side the entire four pitches?

quote:

---

makes sense, he's got to be in the catchers box, kind of like a batter being in a batters box

---

quote:

---

makes sense, he's got to be in the catchers box

---

Yep, otherwise it's a catcher's balk. Also, during an intentional walk, the catcher can't leave the catcher's box to catch the pitch until the pitcher goes into his delivery...this would result in the aforementioned catcher's balk.

nice find