why does the catcher always throw the ball towards third base after every strikeout?

Question

if the strikeout is the third out the catcher will just toss the ball toward the pitcher? is that ball used again?

Answer 1

vyper0987 is right. there is no real meaning to it, it's like an exclamation mark for the strikeout! (plus it gives the pitcher time to regroup to face the next batter.)

Answer 2

it's like a high five, but mainly it's a tradition & can be to third or to first. It's only done on the first and second out of the inning and only when there are no runners on base.

At lower levels of play (Little League, Babe Ruth, High School) the order is Third (5) to Second (4) to Shortstop (6) to First (3) or the reverse.

Many times in the pros its 5 to 6 to 4 to 3 or the reverse.

Answer 3

the runner could be allowed to attain on the undesirable throw considering you could no longer assume of ball 4 so the runner has the suggestions-blowing to thieve third and the catcher to make a play on the runner if he makes an errors the ball continues to be a stay ball .

Answer 4

Actually the logic to it is to keep everybody's arms loose. Gives everyone a throw. At some high schools in colleges, they throw to first and get the first baseman in on the action, because they are left out when it goes to 3rd(unless you wanna talk softball).

If you've ever noticed, the first baseman does the same thing after an out at first with no one on base. He throws it to the SS or 2nd baseman and it goes around from there. Some cross throws(1st to SS to 2nd to 3rd), some don't (1st to 2nd to SS to 3rd).

And yes the ball is thrown out on the mound at the end of innings and is used again.

Answer 5

to "throw it around the horn". he only does this when there is nobody on base though. it's kind of like a pat on the back


and for that ball...they use it again...but it's a good drinking game to play with friends at the end of the inning...will the ball land on the grass or dirt..

Answer 6

It's kind of just showboating put i like to think of it as a way to legally keep the infielders arms loose.

Answer 7

to take out the guy who's going to be running home and scoring.

Answer 8

who knows??????????????