Why Everyone Should Play Catch in 2018

In the beginning, God scooped up a massive pile of dirt, carefully fashioned it into a sphere, and, using mountain ranges like a pitcher uses seams, flung a curveball. The game was underway.

I propose that we, the people living on that first flung curveball, should join the game and make catch playing a priority in 2018. Here are just 10 reasons for playing catch:

1. Playing catch sends us outside. (Confession: I’m still learning the rule, “Don’t play ball inside.”)  We need time filling our lungs with fresh oxygen, full of allergies though it may be, and soaking up the sun’s vitamins.
2. Playing catch is a marvelous form of exercise. The CDC has declared obesity an epidemic in the US. Playing catch gets us moving.
3. Playing catch is fun regardless of skill level. It is perfectly fine if some games of catch are better labeled “chase” or “drop” or “ground ball practice.”
4. In a culture where the media constantly emphasizes fear of the unknown, anything that helps turn strangers into friends is a good thing. Playing catch also reminds us being human means sharing life in a community, not an individual endeavor.
5. Playing catch engages the imagination and encourages the chasing of all kinds of dreams.
6. There is a great shortage of knuckleball throwers in this world. Maybe a new knuckleballer or 10 will be created in this process.
7. It seems, with every successive trip around the sun, we grow more somber, more stern, more serious. We need to intentionally play more. Play not connected to score or numbers or winning or losing. Just playing for the sake of smiling and having a good time with others. Playing catch helps us not take everything so seriously.
8. Playing catch is something that can be done by almost any age and across generations. In fact, playing catch across generations often leads to fantastic storytelling opportunities.
9. Playing catch gets us away from our obsessions with screens and helps us make eye contact with another person in real time.
10. Playing catch is not about being “the best” or even being “good.” Period. And it’s okay if others see you with a goofy form, a la Hunter Pence. Invite them to play along!