Green’s Dictionary of Slang

one who plays the passive role during sexual intercourse; this can relate to homosexual, sado-masochistic or ‘straight’ heterosexual intercourse.

1930		N. Kimball Amer. Madam (281) 237: Several of the town’s biggest business men, lawyers, doctors, one minister for sure, and a writer were inverts; pitchers with some catchers.
1967		M. Braly On the Yard (2002) 150: I’ve been known to pitch, but I’m no catcher.
1971–2		C. Shafer ‘Catheads [...] and Cho-Cho Sticks’ in Abernethy Bounty of Texas (1990) 200: catcher, n. – one of the two males involved in a homosexual act; the female role in the relationship.
1977		R. Brooks Looking for Mr Goodbar [film script] ‘You’re the nellie!’ ‘Not me. I’m a pitcher, not a catcher’ [Simes:DLSS].
1988		H. Max Gay (S)language.
1992		Bentley & Corbett Prison Sl. 58: Catcher The passive partner in a bisexual or homosexual relationship.
1998		A. Hollinghurst Spell 76: ‘My impression is he’s always been a pitcher not a catcher.’ Alex wasn’t sure if they both saw the double meaning [Simes:DLSS].
1999		J. Stahl Perv (2001) 305: Hey, Varnish, I’m a pitcher not a catcher.
2001		D. Looser Boobslang [U. Canterbury D.Phil. thesis] 38/2: catcher n. a (passive) homosexual.
2003		Mad mag. Mar. 47: Even though I’m straight and he’s an all-star catcher.