Pitching a baseball is not as easy as it looks, and there are many skills that go into throwing a fast ball. There’s the wind up, the grip on the ball, how to hold your body, and so much more. But what can be done if you find yourself without any of these skills? You need to know how to pitch a baseball!
Pitching a baseball may seem like an impossible task at first glance – but before you give up all hope and head for home with your glove still in hand (or leave the field after striking out), take some time to learn about pitching fundamentals. Here we will discuss: how to grip a baseball; what foot placement should look like; how high or low should you hold your arm?
How To Grip A Baseball
When throwing a baseball, the most common grip is known as the four-seam fastball.
The number one mistake when gripping a baseball is holding it too tight, which causes you to lose control of the ball. If this happens to be your problem then practicing with a tennis or racquetball will help improve your grip. Remember – good grip, good control.
What Foot Placement Should Look Like
When it comes to throwing a baseball there should be no variation among anyone who is learning how to pitch. Everyone should take the same stance and look the same at the time of pitching.
The proper foot placement should be slightly rounded and shoulder-width apart. The pitchers body should lean towards the catcher and their throwing hand should hang low. The pitchers other (trailing) foot should be able to trail behind the first without touching the ground. This is known as follow-through, and allows for a pitch with less stress on your arm.
How High Or Low Should You Hold Your Arm?
There are many factors to consider when trying to decide how high or low your arm should be while pitching.
First, you must consider the type of pitch that is being thrown. For example, you will lower your arm for more control when throwing a curve ball. You would hold it higher if trying to throw an actual fastball.
To find your personal sweet spot, you must first consider how flexible you are. Every pitcher has a different range of motion and it is important to find your specific “sweet spot”. This involves holding the ball up close to where your ear would be while throwing, as this allows for full rotation of the arm without putting too much stress on it.
Tips On How To Pitch A Baseball
When learning how to pitch a baseball it is important to remember that pitching takes time, and you should never expect your progress in just one day. It takes many years of practice and concentration to perfect this craft, so be patient with yourself. Here are some helpful tips when learning how to pitch:
- Throwing the ball too hard will cause you to lose control of it, which can be very frustrating! Start off with a slower pace and work your way up.
- Here is the kicker – when you are practicing, actually pretend that there is someone standing in front of you catching the ball. This will help with your hand-eye coordination while also allowing for progress.
- Gripping the ball too tight is an easy mistake to make. If this happens, try practicing with a tennis or racquetball – it will help develop your grip.
- Elastic bands are also good for working on your pitching skills, though you should be careful not to overuse them. They can help build up strength in both your arms and hands.
- Watch professionals in action. This will provide you with great insight on how to perfect your craft. After viewing these professionals, try imitating their techniques when learning how to pitch a baseball.
- Foot placement should be the same for every pitcher, no matter what type of pitch is being thrown (fast ball, curve, screw etc.). This includes having both feet slightly rounded shoulder-width apart, leaning slightly to the catcher, and being sure to not drag your trailing foot.
- There should be no variation when it comes to holding your arm while pitching. Everyone should take the same stance at all times in order to get the full effect of their practice hours.
- Remember that pitching takes time – it is something that requires practice, patience, and concentration in order to perfect.
Conclusion
If trying to learn how to pitch a baseball, you should take into account all of these tips in order to get the best possible outcome. It takes time and patience in order to improve your game, so be patient with yourself!
Thanks for stopping by ~Jeremy
