Catching Instruction Built on Responsibility and Results
At Pease Baseball Professionals, we treat catching as one of the most demanding and influential positions on the field. Our instruction is built through years of hands-on development with catchers who have learned to control the game, lead pitching staffs, and handle the physical and mental demands of the position.
We focus on the details that matter at game speed. Everything we teach is intentional, repeatable, and designed to translate directly to competition.
Receiving, Blocking, and Throwing With Purpose
Our catching instruction emphasizes clean, efficient receiving that allows catchers to present pitches properly and steal strikes without excess movement. Blocking is trained through controlled, progressive drills that build confidence handling pitches in the dirt while maintaining athletic posture and recovery.
Throwing mechanics are developed to improve footwork, transfer efficiency, accuracy, and pop times. We prioritize clean movement patterns that allow catchers to throw with intent while protecting their bodies over the long term.
Game Management and Pitcher Control
Great catchers do more than catch baseballs. They manage pitchers, control tempo, and bring calm to chaotic moments. We train catchers to understand pitch calling, situational awareness, and how to lead a staff with confidence. Communication, presence, and decision-making are treated as skills that can and should be developed.
Technology That Supports Development
The technology and tools we use exist to enhance instruction, not replace it. When implemented, they provide clear feedback and measurable progress while reinforcing the fundamentals taught on the floor. Data is used to sharpen understanding and accelerate growth, never to overwhelm the athlete.
Coaching, Connection, and Accountability
Our coaches build strong relationships with catchers because trust is essential at this position. We hold our athletes to high standards while mentoring them through the challenges that come with the role. Leadership is modeled daily, not demanded.
Beyond the Gear
Catching develops qualities that extend far beyond baseball. Accountability, toughness, communication, and resilience are part of every session. Our commitment is to develop catchers who lead with confidence, compete with purpose, and carry those traits into every area of their lives.
“We develop catchers who control the game, not just the position.”
Dustin Pease – Founder – Pease Baseball Professionals
Catching Instructors
Biography
James Gruenfelder brings collegiate performance, leadership experience, and an analytical understanding of the game to his role as a catching instructor at Pease Baseball. Originally from Port Jefferson, New York, James’ athletic journey began in a competitive Northeast baseball environment where he developed the fundamentals, toughness, and communication skills that define his coaching approach today.
Personal & High School Background
James graduated in 2021 from Earl L. Vandermulen High School in Port Jefferson, where he was a multi-sport competitor and a captain of the varsity football team. His leadership in high school reflected early signs of his high character and ability to lead under pressure—traits that have carried into his baseball career and now into coaching.
Collegiate Career & Performance
James continued his baseball career at Hood College Blazers baseball, competing in NCAA Division III’s Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC Commonwealth)—a league known for high-competition regional baseball.
During his time with the Blazers:
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As a senior catcher, he stood 6′3″ and 230 lbs, contributing both offensively and defensively at the plate and behind it.
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In the 2024 season, James hit .389 with a 1.274 OPS, produced clutch hits, and consistently created offensive value for his team.
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In 2025 non-conference competition against Stevenson, he demonstrated power and situational hitting with an extra-base double and a three-run home run in the same game.
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Across collegiate seasons, James finished with a .962 fielding percentage, anchoring the defense with reliable catching fundamentals and responsible defensive play.
James also balanced athletics with academics, earning a degree in Communication Arts and serving as vice president of Blazer Radio, where he engaged in sports media and broadcasting—strengthening his communication skills and ability to articulate complex baseball concepts.
Coaching & Player Development
Following his collegiate playing career at Hood College, James transitioned into coaching and player development. He is listed as an assistant coach at Hood College’s baseball program in NCAA Division III, working within the same environment that shaped his own development as a catcher and communicator.
James’ real-game experience, coupled with his background in communication and leadership, informs his teaching style. He prioritizes fundamentals, situational awareness, and approach over raw talent alone—creating a foundation where players can improve consistently and measurably.
Why James Matters at Pease Baseball
James’ journey—from high school captain to collegiate performer and NCAA Division III coach—gives him a unique perspective as an instructor. He has lived the process of refinement, learning how to apply feedback, adjust mechanics, and communicate with teammates and staff. For athletes working with James at Pease Baseball, that means instruction rooted in real performance, proven coachability, and effective teaching dynamics.