diff --git a/src/ball.lua b/src/ball.lua
index 3077fef..392b5b1 100644
--- a/src/ball.lua
+++ b/src/ball.lua
@@ -4,12 +4,12 @@
 ---@field z number
 ---@field size number
 ---@field heldBy Fielder | nil
+---@field catchable boolean
 ---@field xAnimator SimpleAnimator
 ---@field yAnimator SimpleAnimator
 ---@field sizeAnimator SimpleAnimator
 ---@field floatAnimator SimpleAnimator
 ---@field private animatorLib pd_animator_lib
----@field private flyTimeMs number
 Ball = {}
 
 ---@param animatorLib pd_animator_lib
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ function Ball.new(animatorLib)
         x = C.Center.x --[[@as number]],
         y = C.Center.y --[[@as number]],
         z = 0,
+        catchable = true,
         size = C.SmallestBallRadius,
         heldBy = nil --[[@type Runner | nil]],
 
@@ -49,6 +50,13 @@ function Ball:updatePosition()
     end
 end
 
+function Ball:markUncatchable()
+    self.catchable = false
+    playdate.timer.new(200, function()
+        self.catchable = true
+    end)
+end
+
 --- Launches the ball from its current position to the given destination.
 ---@param destX number
 ---@param destY number
@@ -60,12 +68,13 @@ function Ball:launch(destX, destY, easingFunc, flyTimeMs, floaty, customBallScal
     throwMeter:reset()
     self.heldBy = nil
 
+    -- Prevent silly insta-catches
+    self:markUncatchable()
+
     if not flyTimeMs then
         flyTimeMs = utils.distanceBetween(self.x, self.y, destX, destY) * C.DefaultLaunchPower
     end
 
-    self.flyTimeMs = flyTimeMs
-
     if customBallScaler then
         self.sizeAnimator = customBallScaler
     else
diff --git a/src/fielding.lua b/src/fielding.lua
index a4b874e..3721d57 100644
--- a/src/fielding.lua
+++ b/src/fielding.lua
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 --- @class Fielder {
---- @field catchEligible boolean
 --- @field x number
 --- @field y number
 --- @field target XyPair | nil
@@ -21,7 +20,6 @@ local function newFielder(name, speed)
     return {
         name = name,
         speed = speed * C.FielderRunMult,
-        catchEligible = true,
     }
 end
 
@@ -77,9 +75,9 @@ end
 
 ---@param deltaSeconds number
 ---@param fielder Fielder
----@param ballPos XyPair
----@return boolean inCatchingRange
-local function updateFielderPosition(deltaSeconds, fielder, ballPos)
+---@param ball Ball
+---@return boolean canCatch
+local function updateFielderPosition(deltaSeconds, fielder, ball)
     if fielder.target ~= nil then
         if
             utils.pointIsSquarelyAboveLine(fielder, C.BottomOfOutfieldWall)
@@ -89,7 +87,7 @@ local function updateFielderPosition(deltaSeconds, fielder, ballPos)
         end
     end
 
-    return utils.distanceBetweenPoints(fielder, ballPos) < C.BallCatchHitbox
+    return ball.catchable and utils.distanceBetweenPoints(fielder, ball) < C.BallCatchHitbox
 end
 
 -- TODO: Prevent multiple fielders covering the same base.
@@ -115,16 +113,16 @@ function Fielding:haveSomeoneChase(ballDestX, ballDestY)
     end
 end
 
---- # Also updates `ball.heldby`
+--- **Also updates `ball.heldby`**
 ---@param ball Ball
 ---@param deltaSeconds number
 ---@return Fielder | nil fielderHoldingBall nil if no fielder is currently touching the ball
 function Fielding:updateFielderPositions(ball, deltaSeconds)
     local fielderHoldingBall
     for _, fielder in pairs(self.fielders) do
-        local inCatchingRange = updateFielderPosition(deltaSeconds, fielder, ball)
-        if inCatchingRange and fielder.catchEligible then
-            -- TODO: Base this catch on fielder skill?
+        -- TODO: Base this catch on fielder skill?
+        local canCatch = updateFielderPosition(deltaSeconds, fielder, ball)
+        if canCatch then
             fielderHoldingBall = fielder
             ball.heldBy = fielder -- How much havoc will this wreak?
         end
@@ -136,29 +134,6 @@ function Fielding:updateFielderPositions(ball, deltaSeconds)
     return fielderHoldingBall
 end
 
----@param fielder Fielder
-function Fielding.markIneligible(fielder)
-    fielder.catchEligible = false
-    playdate.timer.new(500, function()
-        fielder.catchEligible = true
-    end)
-end
-
-function Fielding:markAllEligible(eligible)
-    for _, fielder in pairs(self.fielders) do
-        fielder.catchEligible = eligible
-    end
-end
-
-function Fielding:resetEligibility()
-    self:markAllEligible(false)
-    playdate.timer.new(750, function()
-        for _, fielder in pairs(self.fielders) do
-            fielder.catchEligible = true
-        end
-    end)
-end
-
 -- TODO? Start moving target fielders close sooner?
 ---@param field Fielding
 ---@param targetBase Base
@@ -175,7 +150,6 @@ local function userThrowToCoroutine(field, targetBase, ball, throwFlyMs)
 
             closestFielder.target = targetBase
             ball:launch(targetBase.x, targetBase.y, playdate.easingFunctions.linear, throwFlyMs)
-            Fielding.markIneligible(field.fielderHoldingBall)
 
             return
         end
diff --git a/src/main.lua b/src/main.lua
index a4f58c7..dbfa2d1 100644
--- a/src/main.lua
+++ b/src/main.lua
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ end
 ---@param pitchFlyTimeMs number | nil
 ---@param pitchTypeIndex number | nil
 function Game:pitch(pitchFlyTimeMs, pitchTypeIndex)
-    Fielding.markIneligible(self.fielding.fielders.pitcher)
+    self.state.ball:markUncatchable()
     self.state.ball.heldBy = nil
     self.state.pitchIsOver = false
     self.state.offenseState = C.Offense.batting
@@ -445,8 +445,6 @@ function Game:returnToPitcher()
         if not self.baserunning.batter then
             self.baserunning:pushNewBatter()
         end
-        self.fielding:resetEligibility()
-        self.fielding.fielders.pitcher.catchEligible = true
         self.state.ball:launch(C.PitchStart.x, C.PitchStart.y, playdate.easingFunctions.linear, nil, true)
     end)
 end
@@ -572,7 +570,6 @@ function Game:updateGameState()
                 while not self:pitcherIsReady() do
                     coroutine.yield()
                 end
-                self.fielding:markAllEligible(true)
                 self.state.offenseState = C.Offense.batting
             end)
         end
diff --git a/src/npc.lua b/src/npc.lua
index b211035..6c657c3 100644
--- a/src/npc.lua
+++ b/src/npc.lua
@@ -124,15 +124,12 @@ end
 local function tryToMakeAPlay(fielders, fielder, runners, ball)
     local targetX, targetY = getNextOutTarget(runners)
     if targetX ~= nil and targetY ~= nil then
-        local nearestFielder = utils.getNearestOf(fielders, targetX, targetY, function(grabCandidate)
-            return grabCandidate.catchEligible
-        end)
+        local nearestFielder = utils.getNearestOf(fielders, targetX, targetY)
         nearestFielder.target = utils.xy(targetX, targetY)
         if nearestFielder == fielder then
             ball.heldBy = fielder
         else
             ball:launch(targetX, targetY, playdate.easingFunctions.linear, nil, true)
-            Fielding.markIneligible(nearestFielder)
         end
     end
 end