by James Douglas Doorsman

Created on: February 23, 2010   Last Updated: March 08, 2010

There are a lot of ways and strategies to approach the catching of a fly ball in baseball.  Young children are taught to use two hands when catching a fly ball but I have seldom seen a major league ball player use both hands when performing this feat.  One of the most remarkable ways I’ve seen a fly ball being caught was by the legendary Willie Mays.  This is no rule or methodology pertaining to the catching of a fly ball but the object is to catch the ball and be in position to make a throw directly afterwards.

 William Howard Mays played for the New York Giants and was most famous for an over-the shoulder catch he made in the 1954 World Series known simply as “The Catch”.  He made a career of spectacular catches and was famous for his patented “basket catch”.  He would get into position to make the catch, wait until the last second and seemingly flick out his glove in front of himself like a basket and the ball would drop into his glove. He would then take a single step and rifle the ball into the infield.  What a treat it was to watch Willie Mays play his position.

Most coaches would frown at a child or even a teen trying to emulate Mr. Mays approach to the game.  It takes a special person to catch a ball in this fashion so the typical manner is to “camp” or get under the ball, raise your gloved hand and squeeze the glove closed once the baseball has entered.  Take a step forward as you remove the ball form your glove, draw your arm back and throw the ball to the respective player. You have made a catch, a throw and have recorded an out.  At this point you should return to your position and wait for the next opportunity should it happen to arise.

 An outfielder needs to “judge” the ball, which means he has to have an idea where the ball is going and get there before it does.  Whack! You hear the crack of the bat hitting the ball and you start to move towards the spot where the ball is traveling. You will not be able to simply “camp” under every fly hit some you will have to catch some while on the run.

 You will need to be ready at all times, so you should stand slightly crouched ready to run with your hands on your thighs with your arms slightly bent,  your elbows turned out and eyes on the batter.  Remember which bases are occupied and be prepared to “double” a runner off the base if he has strayed too far prior to you making the catch.  The runner has to “tag up” in order to advance after a catch is made which means he has to return to the base he formerly occupied and remain there precisely till the catch is made before attempting to advance to the next base. A good outfielder will make a timely throw to the correct base to keep this form happening.

I have given you the basic way to approach the catching of a fly ball which you can use to develop your particular manner of catching and honing of your skills to play the game of baseball to the best of your abilities as everyone has a slightly different way of playing the "American Pastime" ,the key being to enjoy yourself, be safe and Play Ball!

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