Tips on Pitching
Pitchers Develop A Couple of Different Pitches
Most pitchers will develop a couple of different pitches and then throw variations of those pitches. As a pitcher, you should always warm up and develop good ball control and placement. Listed below are many different types of pitches and how to throw them.
Fastball - 4 Seam
- Fingers across the seams
- Ball will rotate over 4 seams
- Ball behavior: stays straight usually more velocity (speed)
Fastball - 2 Seam
- Fingers positioned on "horseshoe" seams
- Ball will rotate over 2 seams
- Ball behavior: sinking action
Slider
- Middle finger on seam
- Slight rotation of hand at delivery
- Ball behavior: hard "sliding" or curve action
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Curve Ball
- Middle finger on seam
- Deliver pitch with wrist "cocked" pulling down on the seam
- Ball behavior: "12 o'clock to 6 o'clock" slow curving action
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Knuckle Curve Ball
- Middle finger on seam
- Point of index finger on other seam
- Delivery pitch with wrist "cocked"
- Ball behavior: same as curve ball, but faster than the regular curve ball and slower than the slider
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Split Finger
- Both fingers spread outside the seams
- "Snap" wrist upon release
- Ball behavior: slow tumbling action with the same arm speed as the fastball
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Circle Change
- Middle finger inside seam
- Index finger and thumb "circle" on side of ball
- Same arm speed as the fastball
- At delivery, rotate the "circle" down
- Ball behavior: slowing sinking action with sideways rotators
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Knuckle Ball
- Point of index finger and middle finger on leather not seams
- Thumb and remaining fingers also on leather only
- Don't want to touch seams
- Delivery: lead with your elbow "push" ball out of your hand, keep your wrist under the ball
- Ball behavior: no rotation, "jumps" around
