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Posts Tagged ‘Curveball’

Another common breaking ball grip that combines a bit of beginners curve and knuckle curve, it’s called the overhand curveball or popularly known as the straight curveball.

Learning the straight curve requires good skill in throwing a beginners curveball, because both grips are somehow similar in principles. Working on the beginners grip is a stepping exercise towards the straight curve pitch. As mentioned, both pitching grips are almost the same except for the position of the index finger. It should be placed on the baseball contrary to beginners curve where the index finger is pointed at a target.

To do this pitch, the thumb action goes upward. It rotates up while the middle and index fingers rotate down. The arm movement must be a little short at the end. The position of your pitching arm elbow must be to the opposite hip. This makes a short follow through while giving a real snap off the pitch.

(Photo via completepitcher.com)

This is a baseball pitch that speaks for itself, a great pitching grip for beginners, amateurs who wants to learn to throw a curveball for the first time. This pitch is quite the opposite of a fastball that backspins, instead, a curveball spin from top to bottom and leverage comes from the front of the baseball to create the curve.

The beginner’s curveball is the easiest way for amateur pitchers to correctly learn the proper spin.

Here’s how to do it: Grip a baseball leaving the index finger off – like you were pointing at something. (Your index finger will be used to aim the baseball at your target.)

Next, put your middle finger at the bottom seam of the baseball and put your thumb on the back seam. When you throw the pitch, the thumb must rotate upward, and your middle finger should snap downward while your index finger points in the path of your aim. This is the reason why this pitch is great for beginners: the ball follows the direction where your index finger points. The beginners ‘curveball keeps your hand and ball align to the target.

A professional baseball hitter may be able to counter this pitch throw easily, and therefore shouldn’t be applied in the game unless you are playing with amateurs.

(Photo via thecompletepitcher.com)