While there are numerous options in baseball pitches, there are only two required for a successful youth pitcher: the fastball and change up. Let’s explore the specifics of these pitches.
The Fast Ball
There are actually two types of fastball you should master: the
four-seam and the two-seam. While they are similar, they each have
their unique advantages.
Four-Seam Fastball
The four-seam fastball requires the fingers to be close together.
A wider split between the fingers will lead to a loss in velocity.
Younger players with smaller hands should place their index finger
on the narrower end of the threads. They should place their thumb
under the ball – at the six o’clock position.
One of the most common mistakes that young pitchers make when
throwing this pitch is to let their thumb slide up the side of the
ball. The thumb should always be kept under the pitch.
This pitch should go straight with little to no movement, and it
is an extremely accurate pitch. Of all the baseball pitches, this is
the one that’s thrown the majority of the time when a strike is
desired.
Two-Seam Fastball
The purpose of the two-seam fastball is to create movement, and
once again if fingers are wider, then velocity will be lost.
In this pitch, the thumb should be placed in the five o’clock
position, which creates a grip that’s a little off center, and which
products the movement you’re looking for.
The less your hand is on the ball for these baseball pitches, the
more velocity there will be, which creates a smaller amount of drag.
As you progress in your pitching skills, you can adjust the
pressure to change the speed or to create more movement to the left
or right.
Change-Up
The change-up is different from other baseball pitches in that you
want more skin on the ball. The pitcher will sink the ball deep into
their palm and throw it the same way they’d throw a fastball. The
grip is what changes the speed.
By mastering the basic baseball pitches, you’ll have a firm
starting point. Once you’re comfortable with these pitches, you can
add more variety to your pitch selection.
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