Pitching Easy Pointer #3 —Jan 13, 2024 (Revisted on Sept. 23, 2024)
Throw your curve ball with strong fingers and a loose body.
As the fall winds down, think about the elements of your pitching that need to be refined to get that college look!
Fastball velocity is the "selling point" for coaches on the recruiting trail. A 90mph fastball will quickly draw attention and give a player an opportunity to pitch in front of these same coaches. As most of us know, showcases often provide data that are scoured by coaches of all levels. Contacts often come from coaches based on good metrics.
Pitchers who have the arm strength will get a look, but the elite college programs will usually be there to see the consistency and effectiveness of the secondary pitches. Developing a high-quality pitching arsenal is often put on the back burner by young pitchers and coaches, but it does mean the difference between a college offer and a pass over.
Let's talk about an effective curveball. Spin rate is the key indicator of a quality curveball - 2500 rpm (a measurement which can be gathered with high tech Rapsodo technology) is one of the indicators of a pro level curve. If you do not have the opportunity to measure your spin rate, look for a few things with the naked eye:
- A "loopy" release, that is the ball looks like it floats up before it breaks down and away, is a sign of a slower spin.
- If the spin shows "red", it is likely a slower spin, vs. a "blurry" white look. Seeing red means the ball is spinning slowly, showing the seams too easily. This will prohibit a tight break on the curveball.
- A strong curve break will look like it is heading down, or straight at the catcher - then it breaks down and away.
How does a pitcher develop a good spin rate? One way is to allow the fingers to hold on to the ball and allow the body to bring the arm throughout the delivery without the ball slipping, or looping, out. That means the hands need to be strong! A good strength training routine (in the off-season) will increase hand strength, especially free weight work. Static hanging is a great grip strength builder.
My Pitch Stix products are and ideal tool to develop grip strength while keeping the throwing motion in good form.
Whatever the exercise, a good, strong hand will help spin the ball, which equates to a tight breaking curve or slider.
Grip strength is important, in order to avoid injury, your body needs to remain loose, mobile, and strong. The following is as important for quality breaking stuff as fastball velocity:
- Mobility
- Back strength
- Core power (rotational power)
- Hip flexor quickness
- Quad/Glute stability (to handle weight transfer)
- Shoulder strength and flexibility (band and light dumbbell work)
Some easy cues to begin to think about:
1. Imagine you have glue on your fingers. As the curve is delivered, imagine getting the sticky ball out of your hand to your catcher...you need to be quick, but under control.
If the body is tense, the curve will "float" to home plate...that isn't what you want. Make the ball spin.
2. Your legs control the curve as much as anything. Think about walking on a glass floor and not breaking the glass - but throwing the curve hard. Calm lower half, quick upper.
3. Two shoulders are better than one when throwing the curveball. Many times, young pitchers force the spin with the throwing arm only. Let the glove side shoulder lead the way and rotate the torso in one piece...you will throw the curve harder, spin it tighter, and find a more consistent release point.
4. Throw the curve straight ahead. You aren't throwing a boomerang . The curve might look like it goes to the side then comes back to the catcher, but it really goes at the plate, then away and down (See point 3). The term many coaches use is "tunneling", throwing the fast ball and curveball (and change) in the same tunnel, and let the ball do the movement. This is the basis of the name of my business - "Pitching Easy". Let the ball do the work, you throw it in the same direction each time.
As you continue to work on the fastball, do not let your command of the curve (slider) and change leave you. You will find that your secondary command will be the thing that separates you from the rest of the pack in the recruiting race! Before you "shut down" for the off season, think about a few sessions to improve the feel of your off-speed stuff. The work you put in to strengthen your body will help with fast ball velocity, your fastball will be there, just keep the secondary stuff sharp!
Improve your touch before you build power!
