an improved method and apparatus for catching and holding a ball , plug or dart during oil and gas well operations employs a specially configured tool body that accepts a ball or a plug or a dart that flows downwardly into the tool body but disallows escape or discharge of the ball , plug or dart upwardly . the tool body has first and second flow channels or passages , one being generally axially aligned with the tool body . the other flow channel or passage is a second channel or passage that enables fluid flow around a cavity that contains one or more captive plugs ).