The Physics of Pitching

Editor: cupcakedreams

Learn basic pitching positions to improve your technique and send that batter back to the dugout!

To understand what a particular pitch does in baseball, you first have to understand what your body is doing mechanically. Anytime you throw a pitch, regardless of the type of pitch, your hand pronates during the release of the pitch. For example, a right handed pitcher will begin to execute a fastball with his index and middle fingers in the 12 o'clock position on the baseball, with his thumb in the 6 o'clock position. As the release takes place, the fingers will switch to a 10 o'clock position with the thumb moving to the 4 o'clock position, upon release.

This type of action is what gives a pitcher movement on a pitch. Most people have thrown a baseball in the course of their lifetime, and most people I talk to have always made the statement whenever I throw the ball, it seems to curve. What they are really saying is that, if they were a right handed pitcher facing a right handed hitter, their ball would tail into the right handed hitter. Once again, this is done through the pronation of the hand.

Another item to look at is the makeup of your hand. We all know which finger is the longest. Is it any coincidence that the middle finger stays on the ball the longest? With that in mind coupled with the mechanics of pronation, a pitcher will get movement on a pitch which is crucial in the strike zone as a hitter swings through the zone.

A pitcher can make small adjustments with his fingers to make the ball move in different ways, as follows:

2 Seam Fastball This pitch will ride in on a right-handed hitter. Fingers are at a 12 and 6 position with the middle finger on the right vertical seam on the baseball.

4 Seam Fastball This pitch will stay straighter and is usually thrown when the pitcher is behind in the count. Fingers are still at 12 and 6 but the grip has changed where the fingers are now positioned across the horseshoe portion of the seams.

Sinker This pitch obviously sinks. A small adjustment with the thumb from say 6 oclock to 6:30 will give downward movement.

Cutter This pitch will cut in on a left handed hitter from a right-handed pitcher. This is a more difficult pitch to throw. Your fingers are still 12 and 6 but your wrist position goes from a straight position to a slightly cocked position in. The idea here is to imagine throwing the right side of the baseball. Very important to keep the fingers on top during the execution of this pitch. Pitchers have a tendency to get lazy and those fingers start to get on the side of the baseball which leads to a blown-out elbow.

Change Up Generally represents a decrease of 12 to 15 mph of your fastball. This will happen when you remove your index (power finger) off the ball and replace it with the middle finger and ring finger (commonly called OK change). The fingers are still on top and the pitch is thrown with the same body mechanics as the fastball. I found it best to throw this pitch when behind in the count in fastball hitting situations.

Curve ball Is a finesse pitch. The fingers are still at 12 and 6 but will switch during the release with the index and middle fingers moving to 6 o'clock and the thumb moving to 12. Grips vary according to the pitcher.

The above pitches are the basics. There are several more with different variations. The bottom line in pitching is to destroy a hitters timing and sight level. Remember, 1/8 of an inch on a baseball is the difference between a line drive and a ground ball.

Categories: Sports | Baseball