How To Throw A Curveball In Baseball

Most little league players learn how to throw a curve ball in baseball sometime during their last two years of little league. This is usually around age eleven or twelve. If you are a little league player, a coach or father of a player, and wish to learn how to throw or teach a youngster to throw a curve ball, follow these three simple steps.

To learn how to throw a curve ball in baseball, you will need:

• baseball
• baseball glove
• catchers mitt
• catcher with lots of patience

1. Grip the baseball correctly. Throwing a good curve ball begins with a proper grip. Make sure that you grip the baseball with the middle and index finger together, spanning across the widest part of the seams of the baseball. Grip the baseball firmly, especially with the middle finger. Make sure the baseball is not resting against your palm. This will reduce the top spin, which is crucial for an effective curve ball.
2. Use the correct throwing motion. When throwing your curve ball, make sure that you use your normal windup and throw the ball with the same speed as your fast ball. You don't want to give away your pitch, and the speed will be altered by the spinning of the baseball. When throwing the baseball, come straight over the top, with your hand in the position as if you were karate chopping a board. If you are a right handed pitcher, your palm will be facing first base as it crosses over your head. The left handed pitchers palm should be facing third base.
3. Snap your wrist and follow through. This is the main ingredient. Without the snapping of the wrist, there is no curve. The ball will be what is called a "hanging pitch," which usually ends well for the hitter. When you come though with your pitch, simply turn your wrist inward in a snapping motion. This is what creates the spin, thus resulting in an effective break or curve of the baseball. Remember to always follow through with your motion just as if you are throwing a fast ball. As with any new skill you must practice, practice, practice.