Objective
Do not teach a curve ball to a child who is not yet physically developed! Even though pitchers may expereince short-term success, the wear and tear on the throwing arm can end up being long-term. Pitchers can be very successful at any level if they learn to consistently spot their fastball and effectively change speeds.
Equipment
4 Seam Fastball (pic 1 and 2)
- Index and middle finger are slightly spread apart with the finger tips gripping along the "horseshoe" part of the seam
- Thumb is placed directly underneath, bisecting the ball to form a triangle with the other two fingers.
2 Seam Fastball (pic 3 and 4)
- Index and middle finger are held closer together along the two seams
- Thumb is placed directly underneath, bisecting the ball to form a triangle with the other two fingers.
Circle Change (pic 5 and 6)
- Index and thumb form a circle on the side of the ball (sometimes called an "OK Change").
- Middle finger, ring finger, and pinky rest along the top of the ball.
- Depending on comfort level, ball can be pushed deep into the palm, or can rest along the calices of the hand
Basket Change (pic 7 and 8)
- Pinky and thumb form a triangle on the bottom of the ball.
- Index, middle and ring finger rest along the top of the ball.
- Depending on comfort level, ball can be pushed deep into the palm, or can rest along the calices of the hand.
