KARNS CITY — Nathan Weckerly is not a typical high school catcher.

He stands only 5-foot-10 and has a thin frame. But he also has speed — and lots of it.

“What he lacks in size,” said Karns City senior pitcher/shortstop Tyler Kepple, “he makes up for in athleticism.”

Weckerly is a three-year starter behind the plate for the Gremlins and batted .500 last season. He has also been handed the keys to the kingdom, calling the game behind the plate.

It’s unusual for a high school catcher to have such freedom.

“He’s basically all on his own right now,” said Karns City coach Randy Collins. “He’s usually on the same page as us. He’s done a great job.”

Weckerly has been able to handle the pitching staff so well because of his intimate knowledge of each of the hurlers on the staff.

Most of them have played baseball together since they were seven or eight.

“I know each pitcher individually, everything they do,” Weckerly said. “We work great together.”

Kepple said he rarely has to shake off pitch calls from Weckerly.

“A lot of times he’ll give me a signal and I’m already gripping the ball that way,” Kepple said. “He knows what we should throw and we know what we should throw in any situation.”

Weckerly also has helped younger pitchers on the staff and he’s helping to groom the young catchers on the roster.

“It makes things really easy. It’s like we are one mind,” said junior pitcher Matt Yough. “He calls a good game, and he helps the younger guys out pretty well. It’s going to be sad losing him, but he’s taking care of the younger guys for next year.”

Weckerly’s focus has been squarely on this year

Karns City went 18-1 on the way to a District 9 Class AA championship last season, but lost in the first round of the PIAA playoffs to Beaver.

Weckerly wasted little time getting back at it after that loss.

“It wasn’t a week before I was back playing again,” he said.

He spent all winter hitting in an indoor batting cage to try to build on his excellent season at the plate as a junior.

Weckerly said his speed allows him to do things other catchers cannot.

“Speed helps with everything,” he said.

For Collins, Weckerly is a not-so-secret weapon for the Gremlins.

“You don’t usually have a catcher lead off, who is as fast or as versatile as he is,” Collins said. “He can bunt, do whatever we need him to do, and he has a great eye at the plate.

“Plus, he puts in a lot of work,” Collins added.

Weckerly hopes it pays off with a state title.

Karns City has seven starters back from last season and also has a slew of young talent.

“We’re real focused,” he said. “All the way, that’s where we want to go. Nothing less. From day one we want a state championship and I think we have the team and a great pitching staff to get there.”