For many baseball players, remembering where they learned to throw is a difficult memory. Many players learned to throw naturally as a child playing ball. However, being able to throw a ball and throwing one correctly are two different things. Understanding the proper fundamentals of throwing a baseball will improve your speed and accuracy on the field.
Grip
A proper grip is the first step toward a proper baseball through. The way you grip a baseball will dictate the ball's spin when it leaves your hand. As a result, the grip influences the way the ball travels through the air. A standard baseball through grip places the index and middle finger just over the horizontal seam of the baseball, not where the seam is curved. The thumb supports the bottom of the ball. The pinky and ring finger support the back of the ball, keeping it in your finger tips rather than your palm. This grip will promote a straight flight path.
Aim
With proper technique, your arm and wrist movement should remain identical, causing your aim to come from the position of your body. Point the shoulder of your non-throwing arm at your target. When aimed properly, you should be facing perpendicular to your target with your shoulder pointing at the target. As you move through the throw, step in the direction of your target. This step, along with your shoulder alignment will set up your arm for an accurate throw.
Arm Motion
The arm motion of a baseball throw should be loose, but controlled. You want your arm to act like a whip, releasing the ball at its optimum velocity. From a resting position with the ball held just in front of you, your arm should come down and back, before continuing up and over the shoulder. The entire motion should resemble an ellipse on its side. Your arm should bend at the elbow, pointing down as you bring it back. Then the arm should be fully extended as it points straight back and finally, the elbow will bend pointing up as the arm comes over the shoulder. Release the ball as your arm begins to straighten again, just past your head.
Body Motion
Your throw's power comes from several places; your arm speed, weight transfer and trunk rotation. As you begin your throw motion your weight should lie on your back foot. As your arm comes over your shoulder, that weight should transfer to your front foot as you step forward. Simultaneously, your body should rotate with the weight transfer. With proper aiming you will begin the through facing perpendicular to your target. As you throw your body will turn to face the target. When you let go of the ball, your hips should be square to the target.
Member Comments