1. Watch the Ball Go Into the Glove
One of the most common mistakes when catching a baseball is either closing your eyes due to fear or being overconfident and not watching the baseball all the way into the glove. Either will result in an error and scorn from the baseball coach. So no matter how easy or scary the catch is, always look at the baseball in the glove to make sure you have possession before removing the glove and retrieving the ball for a throw.
2. Look Before You Leap
Too many times players falsely believe that they have to dive for a catch on most sharply hit baseballs. This is a mistake on two fronts. First, if you are in the outfield and you dive there is no one behind you to catch the baseball. A missed diving catch will most every time result in a triple if not an inside the park homerun for the other team. Second, you can generally make the same catch if you just keep running in the direction of the ball. When a player dives, he loses momentum and speed in an effort to catch the ball.
3. Locate the Baseball
Before you make the catch, first figure out where the baseball is going. Since the baseball is traveling at a great rate of speed, this takes time to master. After you spot the baseball, then figure out which direction it's going and how fast you need to run in order to catch it. Most people teach that if the baseball is hit hard and deep, the player should sprint to a spot deep in the outfield and then locate the baseball again. Because it is almost impossible to run full speed and keep your eye on the baseball, some players can tell how far a baseball is going to travel just by the sound made by the contact of the bat.
4. Go Get That Baseball
Don't just stand there and wait for the baseball to come down to earth. You need to grab the baseball as you are moving forward. They call this rounding the baseball. Not only are you taking the baseball before it takes you, but you are moving forward in the direction you need to throw the ball after the catch. Reaching from a stationary position for the baseball usually results in a missed catch or injury.
5. Beware of Falling Objects
When you are just starting to learn to catch the baseball, replace the baseball with softer and less harmful tennis balls or "softee balls" that exist specifically for this purpose. In addition to using softer practice balls you should not start out trying to catch regularly hit balls. Try to have someone softly lob the balls to you and then work your way up to a full-fledged fly ball. Not only will this avoid injury but it helps build the young player's confidence.
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