How do you throw a curveball?

[Scrapster]

Someone showed me, one time. He put his index and middle fingers together right between the middle of the seams and then told me to throw the ball straight down with both fingers pointing to my left (I'm righthanded). I found the whole throwing process very awkward, though it was curving a little, but I can't throw very hard. I heard you're supposed to snap your wrist, too. Can anyone post some tips on throwing a curveball, or any other pitches?

 

[snakesnfrogs]

Sounds like you've got it covered---just takes a LOT of practice. And even w/ practice you might not ever be able to develop a good one.


WebBall

 

[MrChicken]

The ball curves because the spin creates an area of low pressure on one side of the ball, and the ball moves to that area. The way you angle your throw and thus the angle of the spin sets which way the ball curves.

Even knowing that, I still cant throw a curve for nothing.

A knuckle ball "dances" because it doesnt spin. Air hitting the laces causes it to move in directions nobody can predict.

 

[Argo]

Do you throw overhand, or from the side?

 

[Scrapster]

I throw overhand, except I did experiment with throwing from a 2-7 position.

 

[Argo]

Well, let me try, although this is going to be hard. Hold ball so that your index and middle fingers are perpendicular to the seams, curving slightly to the left (at least this is how I prefer it). Use your thumb to support the ball from the bottom, and ring finger and pinkie from the right. Throw the ball as you would through a fastball, except snapping your wrist to the right at the end. Try keeping the ball inside for righthanded batters, since it will curve to the left. One advice I can give you, is don't try to through the ball too slow. Although curveball is supposed to be one of the slower pitches, the ball won't curve unless it has at least some speed to it.

 

[SavageDubz]

Aight..put the baseball in front of you and hold it up so the seams form a horse shoe. With horseshoe if front of you, take your index and middle finger and cover the right part of the horseshoe (leftside if you throw left handed).....now the important part...when u throw it, throw it in the same way you throw your fastball, same armspeed and everything....when your arm comes down begin to snap your wrist and by the time you let go of the ball, your wrist should be at the very end of it's snapping.....be careful not to twist the ball with your elbows during the rotating as this will definately cause arm damage since you have no idea how to throw a curve ball. good luck!