Twice as nice: Bixby (Oklahoma) has unique luxury of having two senior catchers on squad

By Mike Moguin 

Photo of Bixby's Nathan Murphy, left, and Cooper Moore

BIXBY - The catcher is always in control of the game in baseball, and Bixby has two high-caliber players at that position.

The guys behind home plate are seniors Cooper Moore and Nathan Murphy, who have been alternating the role throughout the year.

“In catching, you have to be locked in on every single pitch of the game,” Moore said. “That’s why I really like it, because you’re in on the action on the field at all times.”

When not playing catcher, either one can be seen playing shortstop, third base or pitching on the rubber.

Moore and Murphy have been friends for a long time. Chance brought these guys together.

As a first-grader, Moore moved to Bixby with his family from Miami, Okla.

“The best decision my parents ever made,” Moore said.

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Murphy has always been in the Bixby school system. He was originally going to start school at Leonard, where he lives, but that system shut down due to low enrollment.

When their high school season on the diamond ends, both men will go their separate ways, with each having signed to play college baseball.

Moore is headed for the University of Kansas while Murphy is bound for Northeastern A&M in - ironically enough, Moore's former hometown in Miami - going the JUCO route with hopes to transfer to a DI program after two years.

But in the meantime, they are looking to help the Spartans come out on top in this week's regional tournament at Broken Arrow for a right to play in next week’s Class 6A state tournament in the Oklahoma City area.

The pair began playing baseball together when they were in the second grade.

“We’ve known each other for a really long time. We played when we were younger and then (Murphy) went to a different team and I stayed on the same team (in middle school),” Moore said. “But in high school, we teamed back up. It’s nice having two really good catchers playing two or more positions.”

Moore began playing catcher in little league after he was put in that role by his father, who was the coach of the team. He was moved to shortstop and third base in middle school, but returned to catching his sophomore campaign.

“One of the coaches had known that I had caught before and that I was pretty good," Moore said. "That year, we didn’t have a good catcher besides Murphy. We needed another guy to step up and that’s when I transitioned back to catcher.”

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Murphy began playing third base before taking up catching duties at the age of nine.

“I just thought of doing it one time and ever since then, I was good at it, so I just stuck with it. I’ve always loved catching. I love commanding the field and I love throwing guys out as well,” he said.

As long-time friends, these guys get quality time learning from each other.

“One hundred percent,” Moore said. “In the offseason, we do the catching drills together. (Bixby) coach (Justin) Delay used to catch, so he works with us some.

“But just having each other around, we both have confidence. We both learn to be better than each other. So, having two really good catchers that both want to outwork each other, keeps us honest with each other and keeps us both grinding."

“We’ve been friends for a long time,” Murphy said. “We’ve always known we’re two really good catchers. We go to the same school, so for us, that means we always have a good catcher behind the dish.

“We always keep each other solid, and let each other know when we’re doing things wrong, how to fix them, how to get better. We’ve picked up on each other (and their strengths). Cooper can throw the ball really hard down to second base; I’ve always tried to get a little better at that. I love the competition; we always keep each other in check.”

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Ultimately, a thrilling moment for a catcher is making the tag out that denies an opposing runner from scoring at home plate, forcing an out, especially when it's out number three.

“There is nothing better, especially seeing my outfielder make a perfect throw and me just being the one on the good side to make the catch and just tag out the runner,” Moore said. “There is no better way to end the inning than a throwout at home.”

“Those are the moments when you really can’t feel anything and the adrenaline is pumping a lot,” Murphy said. “You make sure you get to catch that ball, and when you do and you execute it, it’s one of the best moments in baseball when a fielder makes a really good throw to home plate, and you get down and secure the tag on them and get the out.”

Ultimately, Moore and Murphy hope for some spectacular moments that would earn the Spartans a gold ball in Class 6A state championship baseball next week in Oklahoma City, should Bixby make it through this week's regionals.