Catcher

Catcher is a noun that denotes a person, device, or concept that captures, holds, or intercepts something. The term is used across sports, literature, technology, and everyday objects, with meanings shaped by context.

In baseball and softball, the catcher is the defensive player who positions behind home plate to receive pitches, prevent stolen bases, and coordinate the fielding effort. The catcher helps call pitches and signal the pitcher, and must manage a demanding protective equipment set, including a mask, chest protector, leg guards, and a catcher's mitt. The role requires quick hands, strong throwing, game awareness, and physical resilience.

In literature and culture, The Catcher in the Rye—named for the Holden Caulfield fantasy—uses the catcher as a symbol of safeguarding innocence. In computing, catch blocks or exception handlers perform error handling, and the term "catcher" is sometimes used informally to refer to the code that intercepts exceptions. In everyday use, "catcher" can describe any device that receives or holds items, such as a catcher tray or debris catcher, depending on context.