Full Count Baseball

How to Play Catch

One of the most overlooked aspects of practice is playing catch. If during the game your team is struggling with making accurate throws, the time to work on it is during practice catch time. Regardless of what throwing program you use, it is imperative that the kids understand what the proper grip is, that they need to throw to a target and that they need to utilize proper throwing mechanics. If your players cannot hit their partner from seventy feet away in the chest consistently during practice, no way they will be able to make a 100-150’ throw with the game on the line.

Take playing catch very seriously. First, show kids the proper 4-seam grip. You’ll be surprised as to how many do not know. A proper grip will allow the ball to be thrown straighter, harder and farther. Stress that the ball is not to be thrown unless they get the proper grip. Watch them throw all the time and make sure to check their grip frequently. The faster they can get at finding the grip without looking, the better. Seasoned baseball players are able to find this grip in their sleep and are able to spin the ball in their hands as they are throwing to get it. It takes practice.

Second, make sure they are throwing at a target. Start out with the kids trying to hit their partner in the chest, every time. As they progress, have them pick spots: right shoulder, left shoulder, head, etc. The better they can get at hitting spots in practice, the more accurate they will be in the game.

Lastly, make sure they are throwing with the proper form. Hitting your target is all about the release point of the ball. Without proper form, the release point will vary, leading to inconsistent throws. Proper form will also help in utilizing the entire body, put less stress on the arm and will get more on your throw.

Throwing Guidelines

1. A proper throwing program will start with the players on one knee, the same knee they throw with (right knee for right handers, left knee for left handers), body in an upright position, the proper grip, about 10’ apart. They should hold their throwing elbow in their glove with their upper arm parallel to the ground. Flip the ball to your partner utilizing only the elbow and pull down at the wrist. This gets them used to finding the release point.
2. Move the players back about 5’ and have the kids get their arms at the proper position. Both arms will have a ninety-degree bend at the elbow, both upper arms in line with target and parallel to the ground, ball either pointing backward or to the side. Gently rotate the body and throw to your partner pulling the glove hand to the chest and following through with the throwing arm over the lead leg and bending the back.
3. After the players know where their arms needs to get, have them work on taking the ball out of their glove, getting to the proper position and then throwing. Start with ball in glove with the proper grip, chest high. Think down, out and up with the throwing hand. Take ball out of glove down and out with palm down and up to throwing position, then throw. Gradually quicken pace so it is all one motion.
4. Move back another 5’ and have players stand up and face their partner with feet shoulder width apart. Repeat same steps as in step 3. With feet planted and ball in glove chest high, down out and up with the ball, rotate upper body to have both upper arms in line with target and parallel to the ground, ball either pointing backward or to the side. Gently rotate the body and throw to your partner pulling glove hand to chest and following through with the throwing arm over the opposite leg and bending the back, keeping feet planted.
5. Move back another 5’ and have players stand with glove side to target so their feet are in line with partner. Repeat same steps as in step 3. Start with ball in glove with the proper grip, chest high. Take ball out of glove down and out with palm down and up to throwing position, then throw following through with the throwing arm over the opposite leg, bending the back and bringing back leg through to balance.

Once these four steps are mastered, players may back up to further distances and step to throw, using same proper mechanics. Three things to always be reminding the thrower: Get the proper grip, throw to a target (pick a specific spot to throw to) and use good fundamentals.

Tips for the Advanced Player

1. Arm strength works from the ground up. Develop a strong, flexible lower body, hips and core.
2. Incorporate rubber bands in your routine for elbow and shoulder work.
3. Always get a proper warm up before throwing.
4. When throwing longer distances to gain arm strength, throw the ball on a line rather than a high rainbow. When training, to get fast you need to train fast. Throwing the ball on a line will increase arm speed because you have to throw harder to keep the ball on a line.