I’d certainly think that throwing a perfect game and a playoff no-hitter will give you certain acknowledgment as one of the best players in MLB. Roy Halladay, the Philadelphia Phillies’ #34 player and starting pitcher did both of these. For this reason, he has been chosen to grace the cover of Major League Baseball – MLB 2k11 from 2k Sports.

Yes, it has been announced by 2k Sports last November 15 in New York City that they have named Philadelpha Phillies expert pitcher, Doc Holliday (Roy Halladay’s nickname) as the cover player for their upcoming video game Major League Baseball® 2K11.

“In the ‘Year of the Pitcher’, Roy has truly distinguished himself as the best pitcher in baseball,” according to Greg Thomas, 2K’s Senior VP for sports development. “Between his dominating season that included baseball’s 20th perfect game, and his exciting performance during the postseason, we believe there is no player more worthy of representing our revolutionary pitching mechanic on the cover of Major League Baseball 2K11 than Roy Halladay.”

Last year, 2K Sports granted a million bucks to the 1st person who pitched a perfect game in MLB 2K10. Roy Halladay pitched a perfect game in real life on May 29, 2010, the 20th such feat in baseball history.

2K’s Major League Baseball 2K11 is scheduled to be released on 2011 during the spring season on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment systems, PSP, Wii, and Windows PC (Nintendo DS version not included).

Early Wynn Jr. was a popular right-hand baseball  pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, the Cleveland Indians, and the Washington Senators. He was introduced and became a part of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

During the entirety of his career, he established a presence of a hard-nosed pitcher who always gives blazing fastballs making him so intimidating all the batters feared him. Wynn was born in Hartford, Alabama and was introduced to the world of big leagues when he was just 19 when he started out with the Washington Senators.

With his retirement coming in 1963, he was the last major leaguer who still get to play regardless if he started in the 1930s. He also became the pitching coach of Sa, McDowell, Luis Tiant, Steve Hargan and Sonny Siebert.

Photo via baseball-almanac.com

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)

A batting helmet is similar to a headgear worn by skateboarders as a protective shell for the head, it covers the back, top and side which are called earflaps. It is meant to protect the batter’s ear from wayward pitches thrown by the pitcher. Helmets with left earflaps are meant for right handed batters while the ones with the right earflaps are for the left handed. Although, there are batting helmets that cover both ears and these are mandatory in amateur level baseball.

So, it is crucial to wear a batting helmet in baseball games or even in practice, because a batter who is “hit by pitch”, due to an unintentional wild pitch may end up fatally injured.

(Photo via goprostock.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)

Having a right grip on baseball is a key to a proper pitching. Learn some of the most common baseball pitching grips. Starting with the Four-seam fastball

To grip the four seam fastball, index and middle fingertips must be placed directly on the perpendicular seam of the baseball. The “U-seam” should be facing your ring finger of your throwing hand (as shown in the above picture).

Next, put your thumb directly beneath the baseball, resting on the smooth leather (see above picture). Ideally, you should keep your thumb in the center of the U- seam on the bottom part of the baseball.

Keep a soft grip on the pitch, just like holding an egg, in your fingertips. Maintain a “gap” or space between the ball and your palm. This is the technique to throwing a good, hard four-seam fastball with maximum speed and backspin: A loose grip minimizes “friction” between your hand and the baseball. The less friction, of course, the quicker the baseball can leave your hand.

Throwing a four-seam fastball with enough force overhand will make it rise unless it’s thrown underhand.