Playing catch is one of the oldest American baseball traditions. Many children play their first game of catch with their father; it is the way they are introduced to baseball. Children learn the proper way to catch and throw a baseball and it is their introduction to the game. As youngsters get older, they often start every practice and game by playing catch. Pitchers begin every practice session by playing catch with a catcher and it helps them prepare their arm for game competition.
Step 1
Stand about 30 feet from your partner when you are playing catch with a youngster who is first learning to play the game. Teach the youngster to hold his glove with his finger pointing up on any ball that comes in above waist level. If the ball comes in at waist level or below, tell him to turn his fingers down the ground.
Step 2
Bring the ball up to your ear when you prepare to throw. Step with your left foot if you are a right-handed thrower and your right foot if you are a left-handed thrower. Snap your wrist when you release the ball in order to throw it to your partner.
Step 3
Move back another 30 feet to loosen your arm if you are going to begin a demanding practice or a game. Warm up your arm and shoulder prior to any competition. You don't have to throw as hard as you can, but make sure you bring your arm to head height in order to get your strength behind your throw. Step forward, snap your wrist and follow through fully in order to take pressure off your shoulder and elbow and allow your body to take to absorb some of the stress.
Step 4
Play long toss with a teammate if you are preparing to pitch a game. When you play long toss, you are trying build up the muscles strength you will need when you are throwing 80 or more pitches at speeds up to 95 mph. Stand in the outfield about 90 to 100 feet from your partner. You are not pitching to him but you want to get your shoulder, elbow and arm used to throwing a long distance in order to do it in a game.
Step 5
Throw high fly balls to your partner to prepare to catch fly balls in game situations. Fly balls that come off the bat have a different perspective than fly balls thrown by a teammate, but seeing the ball come out of the sun or the clouds can be very helpful when getting ready to catch fly balls in the outfield during the game.
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