How to Throw Baseball Pitches (Part 1)

How to Throw Baseball Pitches

Guide Note There are some basic fundamentals that every pitcher must know to learn How to Throw Baseball Pitches. This page provides information on how to grip the baseball for popular types of pitches and how to use proper pitching mechanics to ensure fluidity of motion and accuracy of pitches.

Table of Contents

·         Introduction

·         Step 1: Stance

·         Step 2: Grip

·         Step 3: Pitching Motion

·         Step 4: Achieving Consistency

·         Conclusion

·         Resources

Pitching Tips

Every pitcher will develop a personal technique and approach to pitching.

Experiment with all kinds of different techniques to find what works best for you.

Baseball is the only sport where the defensive team has possession of the ball, making the pitcher perhaps the most important player on the field.

Great pitchers use a variety of different pitches, varying pitches' speeds and movements to gain competitive advantage against the batter.

Popular Pitches:

·         Two-Seam Fastball

·         Four-Seam Fastball

·         Circle Change

·         Curveball

·         Slider

·         Knuckleball

·       

Introduction

·         You've probably thrown a baseball before. But it's likely that nobody confuses you for a Major Leaguer (or a Minor Leaguer, or even a semi-pro ballplayer). As anyone who's watched baseball knows, each pitcher has his own stance, motion, arm angle, and delivery. And that means you can experiment with your delivery and pitches to find what gets you a little more "oomph" in your throws. Maybe you'll never advance beyond your rec league, but, with a little practice, you can wow your friends and teammates with strong, accurate throws all day long.

·         You'll need a ball, a glove, and (preferably) a partner. Play ball!

·         An accurate pitch begins before you even start your throwing motion. Pre-pitch fundamentals are just as important as a strong and accurate arm. Your entire body goes into delivering a pitch, so you have to know how to make every part best work in concert to deliver the perfect pitch every time. How you set your feet and legs (your stance) is the first step in making a successful pitch.

WARNING: Pitching can put a tremendous strain on all parts of the body—most specifically the arm.^[1] Younger pitchers are especially vulnerable to arm troubles.^[2] If you experience pain or discomfort while pitching, consult your doctor. Younger pitchers involved with any level of development within little league baseball should consult the latest guidelines regarding pitch counts.

Face your target.

Your feet should be just outside your shoulders.

Keep your legs straight, about a shoulder-width apart.

If you're on a pitching mound with a rubber, stand near the right of the rubber if you're right-handed, left of the rubber if you're left-handed.

Raise both hands to about chest level while holding the ball in your glove.

TIP: You should stretch before you begin to pitch.^[1]