Pitchers tend to control the action in fast pitch softball. Pitchers throw the ball at speeds approaching 70 miles per hour from a distance of 43 feet. Those blazers can be difficult to hit, but when the pitcher adds curveballs, sliders, risers and drops to her repetoire, she can keep the hitter off balance. These breaking pitches can be used as finishing pitches in a sequence or they can be used to set up the fastball. When a pitcher learns how to throw a breaking ball, she becomes a much more complete hurler.
Step 1
Grip the ball with the forefinger and the middle finger sitting on the seam. When you want to throw a hard fastball, you put your fingers across the seams. When you want to make the ball break, you place your fingers on the seams.
Step 2
Use the windmill windup to throw your breaking pitch. The windmill windup will allow you to throw the ball with velocity. As a result, the hitter will think she is facing a fastball until the ball reaches the plate. At that point, a right-handed pitcher's breaking ball will curve away from a right-handed batter. The increased velocity will help the ball curve more than the batter may expect.
Step 3
Release the ball at knee level. The lower you release the ball, the more spin you can impart on the ball and that will make the ball curve sharply. If you release the ball at thigh height or higher, you won't put enough spin on the ball to give it a hard break.
Step 4
Turn your thumb toward your thigh as you release the ball. As you prepare to release the ball, your forefinger and middle finger will be underneath the ball and your thumb will be on top of the ball. Your thumb will be headed straight toward the plate on a fastball. However, to make it curve, turn your thumb and fingers toward your leg to impart the spin needed to make the ball curve.
Tips and Warnings
- Warm up properly before you start throwing breaking pitches. Make sure you have thrown 20-to-30 pitches before you start throwing breaking pitches.
Member Comments