[officialtony]

I don't know if there is a " preferred " on this. I usually give the new ball to the catcher. I have found that I don't throw the ball well with my chest protector on and I don't need to give anyone a chance to laugh at me or criticize me ( I know they already have plenty of opportunities. I'll save you the trouble of posting it ). If the catcher is up the 1st or 3rd base line chasing the one that he might have caught that ended up out of play and the pitcher is standing close looking at me for the ball, I will toss it to him. Just depends on my mood.