How to Throw a Curve Ball in Baseball

If you’re going to be a successful pitcher in any baseball league, you have to know how to throw a curve ball. After all, many batters know how to catch up with a fastball because of its lack of movement. Knowing how to throw a curve ball will keep batters off balance as they try and swing for the fences. Here is how to throw a curve ball to get those hitters out.

Things you'll need:

• A baseball
• A baseball glove

1. Grip the baseball. One of the most important aspects when learning how to throw a curve ball is the grip. Set the baseball down in front of you. Place your index and middle finger together on your pitching hand. Pick up the the baseball along the seam on the same side of the baseball as your pitching hand. If you’re a left-handed pitcher, the fingers should be along the left seam; if you’re right-handed, the fingers should be along the right seam. Secure the ball with your thumb on the bottom of the baseball.
2. Assume the pitching position on the pitching mound. When you learn how to throw a curve ball it is important that your pitching motion is the exact same as your other pitches. This is so that the batter does not pick up when you are going to throw a curve ball because the motion is different. Begin your pitching motion.
3. Twist your wrist and snap your elbow. The pitching motion you normally use changes at the very last moment when you throw a curve ball. Just before you release the ball, you want twist your wrist (this will be counter-clockwise for left handed pitchers and clock-wise for right-handed pitchers). Complete the motion by snapping your elbow downward as well.
4. Assume the fielding position. Just like any other pitch, assume the fielding position as the baseball approaches the plate and get ready to play defense. The curve ball will break down to the right for left-handed pitchers and to the left for right-handed pitchers.

Tips:

• A curve ball will be slower than a fastball because of the wrist twisting and elbow snap. This is the desired reaction because you want the hitter to see different speed pitches in your rotation.
• Work on having the curve ball break just before it reaches the hitter. The later the curve ball breaks, the hard it will be for the batter to hit as the ball crosses the plate.