Hot Dog Man: Pitching Techniques

Learning Different Pitching Grips

Slider Online instructions: http://www.baseball-pitching-tips.com/slider.html

The slider is a cross between a and a . It's generally faster harder than a curveball but with less downward action; the slider has a smaller break with a tighter spin. It's important to learn a proper slider grip and to learn correct slider throwing technique to ensure and promote good arm health.

1. A slider is gripped like a two-seam fastball, but, held slightly off-center.

2. When thrown, try to manipulate the to come off the thumb side of your index finger. Do not permit the two finger release (used in the two-seam fastball) as it will cause the pitch to balance , reducing the spin. Your goal is the opposite - to activate spin.

3. Most good slider grip the outer-third of the baseball and cock their wrist slightly, (not stiffly), to their throwing hand's thumb-side upon release of the pitch. This enables a to apply pressure to the outer-half of the ball with the index finger.

4. Avoid any twisting of the wrist upon release.

5. Place the long seam of the baseball in between the index finger and the middle finger. Place the thumb on the opposite seam underneath the baseball (as shown in the first picture).

6. Some pitchers find it helpful to place their index finger along the seam of the ball. The key with the slider is to hold the ball slightly off-center, on the outer third of the baseball.

7. Remember to slightly cock your wrist, but, don't stiffen it, for a good wrist-snap upon release. If your wrist is slightly cocked to the throwing hand's thumb side, your wrist-

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snap will enable the pitch to come off of the thumb-side of your index finger. This action creates good spin on the ball.

8. The movement on this pitch originates from the baseball spinning off the index finger from the outside of the ball, NOT from twisting your hand underneath the ball.

9. Slider arm speed should remain the same as fastball arm speed.

Curveball Online instructions: http://www.baseball-pitching-tips.com/curveball.html

The curve is unique in that its rotation is from top to bottom, rather than from bottom to top like the fastball.

This action results in being released forward, in the direction of the fingers toward the batter.

1. Grip a baseball and place your index finger on the ball.

2. Place your middle finger along the bottom seam of the baseball.

3. Place your thumb on the back seam.

4. When this pitch is thrown, your thumb should rotate upward and your middle finger should snap downward.

5. The arm action is a little abbreviated at the end. Bring your throwing hand elbow to the opposite hip which will shorten your follow through, but, will permit you to snap off the pitch.

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Changeup Online instructions: http://www.baseball-pitching-tips.com/changeup.html

So what's the secret to a good change up? The most common grip is some variation of the "circle change," in which the thumb and forefinger touch to create a circle on the side of the ball. The ball sits back close to the palm while the remaining fingers are spread around the ball.

1. Use your thumb and index fingers to create a circle or an "OK" on the ball.

2. Center the baseball between your three other fingers (as shown in the middle picture above right). The baseball should be tucked comfortably against the circle.

3. Throw this pitch with the same arm speed and body mechanics as a fastball. The one variation is to slightly turn the ball over by throwing the circle to the target. This is called pronating your hand. The gesture mimics giving someone a "thumbs down" sign with your throwing hand.

4. The fading movement to your throwing-arm side of the plate reduces speed.

Knuckleball Online instructions: http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/how_to_throw_knuckleball.htm

So you want to throw a ? The whole idea is to make that ball come out of your hand taking the spin off of the ball. That's what a knuckleballer's intent is. Because the resistance of the air will handle the movement. Fingernails digging into the ball.

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In order to prevent excessive spin, the last three fingertips that touch the ball (all at the same time) are the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. They push the ball out (kind of like flicking those three fingers to close a door) all at the same time to create a "triangle" of pressure, which prevents spin. The ball rests against the palm and that's what allows the forward momentum of the arm to create speed on the ball (fingers are not strong enough to hold the ball away from the palm when throwing). Once the momentum starts going forward, the ball starts to fly away from the palm by inertia and gravity. By pushing the fingers out at just the right time, the three fingertips keep the ball from spinning. Trying to release the ball with just two fingers always results in too much spin ... the thumb has to be there as well.

1. Make sure above all you have good fastball mechanics, this will allow you to always have velocity on the ball.

2. Find a comfortable grip for you, personally I throw 4 seam 3 fingered where as some people go 2 seam 2 fingered, it's all about preference and hand size. Some people even throw off their knuckles. The ball should be up against the palm to prevent any in hand rotation upon release.

3. Get a consistent release, do not push the ball you need to as they say fire and follow. Do this by extending fingertips out at release to follow the ball and kill spin.

4. Make sure you are getting velocity and don't shot put the ball, throw it with fastball mechanics, no velocity means no movement.

5. Get throwing off a mound so that you are used to the push off you need and all the differences of throwing it off flat ground and a mound.

6. Test it in practice on batters to see if it is moving ask them after practice, you can get tips on what's good and bad.

7. No spin is not necessary, it is actually ideal to have 1/4 or 1/2 a rotation so that the seams change and air can move the ball.

8. Throw different speeds so they aren't all lobs and they aren't all hard throws, timing can be everything to a batter against a k-ball.

9. Make sure you mix a few and other pitches there now and then to keep them off balance so they don't wait on everything.

10. It takes a long time to master this, I've been working on it 6 years now and finally it is good enough for a game.

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