A screwball is a type of pitch in softball that is designed to break or move the same direction as the pitcher's throwing hand. Generally, breaking pitches such as a curve ball for right-handers move to the left, while a left-hander's moves toward the right. A screwball is designed to break the opposite of a curve ball, which gives a right-handed pitcher an option to throw away from a lefty batter or in on the hands of a right-handed hitter.
Step 1
Grip the ball with your four fingers on the seams running with the seams under the softball. Your thumb should be directly on top of the ball and in turn on the opposite side of the ball from your fingers.
Step 2
Use the same pitching motion that you use for every pitch, the spin and screwball action will be dictated by your wrist only, not the rest of your body.
Step 3
Rotate your wrist at the last second so that at the release point, your four fingers are all the way on top of the ball and your thumb is underneath. Brooklyn Softball notes that it is important that your arm continue on the same path and speed so that you do not change anything about your motion except for the wrist snap or turn.
Tips and Warnings
- Practice throwing the pitch so that you learn how to control the speed and movement. According to Brooklyn Softball, faster rotation leads to more spin, but the faster rotation is also harder to control.
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