Gerald Wayne Grote was an American professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball from 1963 through 1981 for the Houston Colt .45s, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Kansas City Royals.
Grote with the New York Mets in 1972
Catcher is a position in baseball and softball. When a batter takes their turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the (home) umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. In addition to this primary duty, the catcher is also called upon to master many other skills in order to field the position well. The role of the catcher is similar to that of the wicket-keeper in cricket.
Kansas City Royals catcher and 5× Gold Glove winner Salvador Pérez stands behind home plate during a 2013 game versus the New York Mets.
Uni-President Lions catcher Kao Chih-kang preparing for a game
Ali Sánchez's orange-painted fingernail during a 2022 game for the Toledo Mud Hens
Catcher Matt Wieters blocks runner Derek Jeter from tagging home plate.