NATIONAL DAYSPORTS

National Wanna Have a Catch Day

National Wanna Have a Catch Day is a small but real reason to pause, notice, and celebrate — together if we can.

MAY9

Saturday, May 9Second Saturday in May

Roots: Established in 2025 by the Living Liver Foundation and Transplant Life Foundation
Vibe: Nostalgic, fun, and community-oriented
Also on May 9: Birth Mother’s Day · Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day · World Fair Trade Day
Hashtag: #NationalWannaHaveACatchDay

Add to my calendar Send a card Email a friend

Apple or Outlook calendar

Ways to celebrate

Small, doable ways to celebrate National Wanna Have a Catch Day.

Do one small thing that makes the day feel marked.
Tell someone what you're celebrating and why.
Share a post, a photo, or a memory connected to it.
Make a tiny tradition — something you could do again next year.
Let it be simple. Not every celebration has to be a production.

Make it your kind of celebration

Family
Do one small thing together that everyone will remember.
Kids
Turn it into a craft, a story, or a snack — meet them where they are.
Couples
Use the day as an excuse for a little intentional time together.
Office
Acknowledge the day in the team chat or at a stand-up. Small, sincere, fast.
School
Anchor a short lesson or activity around the day.
Community
Share, volunteer, or donate to make the day mean something locally.
Just me
Celebrate quietly and completely. One person can still mark a day.

Plan ahead

National Wanna Have a Catch Day is observed on the second Saturday in May. Here is where it lands for the next ten years, handy for planners, marketers and party people.

2026Sat, May 9this year

2027Sat, May 8

2028Sat, May 13

2029Sat, May 12

2030Sat, May 11

2031Sat, May 10

2032Sat, May 8

2033Sat, May 14

2034Sat, May 13

2035Sat, May 12

2036Sat, May 10

Add to my calendar (repeats yearly)

Fast facts

Most Americans have played catch at least once

Millions of people play baseball each year

The story

National Wanna Have a Catch Day is celebrated annually on the second Saturday in May. Inspired by the closing scene of the 1989 film Field of Dreams, when Ray Kinsella asks his father, ‘Hey, Dad, you wanna have a catch?’, the day celebrates connection through baseball and raises awareness about living organ donation. The National Day Calendar approved the day in 2025 on behalf of the Living Liver Foundation and Transplant Life Foundation, bringing the transplant waiting list closer to zero through the shared love of baseball.

Read the full story

Playing catch is not just a pastime; for living organ donors and recipients, it is a powerful metaphor, the donor throwing the ball to the recipient shows that both return to active lives. Each day, more than 100,000 people in the U.S. await a life-saving organ transplant, and 17 people die every day waiting. Having a catch with a loved one becomes an act of remembrance, gratitude, and hope.

In recent years, National Wanna Have a Catch Day has gained traction across social media platforms, where individuals share photos and videos of their catch experiences. Communities are encouraged to come together, whether in backyards or local parks, to celebrate this enriching activity. Schools and organizations often take the opportunity to host events that promote sportsmanship and cooperation among participants.

As we observe National Wanna Have a Catch Day, let’s take a moment to appreciate the simple joys in life. Grab a ball, gather your loved ones, and step outside to enjoy the fresh air while engaging in this classic American tradition. Remember, it’s not about the skill level but rather the shared experience that makes this day special.