1. Wait Until Grown
Probably the most important issue that arises when throwing a curve ball is the problem of physically immature players trying to throw one. Achievement is never worth the risk of long-term injury. If a child that is still growing tries to throw a curve ball on a regular basis, that is exactly what might happen. Because of the arm torque and angle required to throw the curve ball, it can severely injure the arm of a prepubescent child who attempts to throw it. So, wait until after puberty to teach the curve ball to that aspiring major-league pitcher.
2. Gripping the Baseball
If you have seen pictures from the peace rallies of the 1960s, then you already have a head start on how to grip baseball for a curve ball. If you haven't, then raise the index finger and the middle finger to form the V-shaped "peace sign." Then, place a baseball inside the other three fingers, and you have the proper grip for the curve ball. The index finger and middle finger should almost touch at the top of the baseball, and the thumb should form the base of the grip.
3. Righty to Righty
The best situation to throw a curveball in is when a right-handed pitcher is throwing to a right-handed batter (or lefty to lefty). The reason is that most batters prefer the pitch to be in and down rather than away and down, which is what happens when a right-handed pitcher throws a curve ball to left-handed hitter.
4. Late Break
An effective curve ball must have a late break on the pitch. If the curve ball breaks too soon, it is a "hanging curve," and those pitches usually result in bad news for the pitcher. The reason is that a batter can adjust to the break on the pitch before he swings and will, more times than not, knock the cover off that pitch. To prevent a hanging curve, a pitcher must snap the wrist down as he releases the pitch and finish the pitch with the palm facing upward. This action provides the proper rotation needed for the late-breaking action on the curve ball.
5. 12 to 6
The curve ball is slower than a normal pitch, and if thrown properly, it has a large breaking action on the pitch. People refer to this breaking action as a "12 to 6" curve ball. This name refers to the numbers on a clock. As the pitch travel towards the batter, it should start high at 16 o'clock and finish near the dirt at 6 o'clock.
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