Making personal connections, one catch at a time

Author Ethan Bryan’s latest book, A Year of Playing Catch, will be released Sept. 8. In anticipation, each week we are giving fans a sneak peek into a few stories incorporating our own MiLB teams. Want to get in on the fun? Submit your photo or video to the Play Catch Sweepstakes presented by Peerless-AV® for your chance to win a Peerless-AV® Neptune™ UHD Outdoor TV and Outdoor Universal Tilt Wall Mount!

On January 1, 2018, I played catch with my daughters.

It was single-digit-temperatures cold, but the sun was bright, the sky was oh-so-blue, and there was no snow on the ground. We each layered up, my daughters and I, exposing only our throwing hands and faces to the elements. Glasses fogged over and teeth chattered and every throw kinda stung when you caught it because no one in their right mind plays catch when it’s single-digit-temperatures cold.

That night, sitting at the dinner table, my daughters asked, “Dad, what would happen if you played catch every day for a year?”

And that is how Catch 365 was born.

Over the course of 366 days, I played catch with more than 530 people, in 10 different states, driving 12,000 miles in a white minivan that earned the nickname the Bryan Family Millennium Falcon. Catch-partners from Australia, Japan, China and England. From the Springfield Cardinals to the Omaha Storm Chasers to the Daytona Tortugas. From Miracle Leagues to the Major Leagues. From those who played in the Wheel Chair World Series to Bill Virdon, who won the 1960 World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Stories of the lessons I learned and the people I met can be read in my new book, A Year of Playing Catch, lessons of perseverance and community and the pure joy of making a new friend.

I am thrilled to partner with MiLB in the Play Catch Sweepstakes, because I am convinced good things happen when people create the space to play together.

Like when I played catch with Springfield Cardinals GM Dan Reiter, who told me his dream is to use the game so families and friends can create memories that will last a lifetime.

Or when I played catch with Frisco RoughRiders hitting coach Jason Hart, who underwent brain surgery and battled back to play ball.

Or when I played catch with Brett Holmes, Bill Virdon’s grandson, who won the New York-Penn League championship playing for the Williamsport Crosscutters.

On January 1, 2018, I stepped into the backyard with my oldest daughter for a quick game of catch. She is now packing to head out for her sophomore year of college.

Life happens fast.

Keep playing. Keep dreaming.

About the Author:

Ethan D. Bryan is convinced that good stories bring people together. His baseball stories have landed him an invitation to the White House, an invitation to speak at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and brief appearances in two documentaries.

Ethan lives in Springfield, Missouri, with his wife, Jamie, and daughters, Kaylea and Sophie. He still dreams of playing baseball for his beloved Kansas City Royals. His writing can be found at ethanbryan.com or on Twitter @Ethan_Bryan.

A Year of Playing Catch is available Sept. 8. Order from your favorite local bookstore or anywhere books are sold (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop).