First to catch ball in muddle with love (5)
I believe the answer is:
besot
'muddle with love' is the definition.
'first to catch ball' is the wordplay.
'first' becomes 'best' ('best' can be similar in meaning to 'first'**).
'to catch' is an insertion indicator.
'ball' becomes 'o'.
'best' placed around 'o' is 'BESOT'.
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for besot that I've seen before include "Stupefy, make silly or foolish" , "Make stupid" , "Make love" .)