New ball in play...give it to the catcher or not?

[briancurtin]

I'll toss it if it's a foul ball straight back and the catcher is gathering his helmet and mask, but that's about it. I still have a fairly good arm, but I go with a safe and easy toss in those few cases.

An old partner years ago could, and would fire one back to the pitcher just as hard as the catcher was throwing. Always hit the pitcher right in the chest, too. It was accurate and fast to the point that it became kind of weird.