How to Throw a Slow Curveball

Hitting a baseball is about timing, so much of pitching is about disrupting timing. The greater the variance between your fastest pitch and your slowest pitch, the more the hitter's timing will be thrown off. While the curveball is considerably slower than a fastball, you can throw an even slower version of the curveball that can make hitters look foolish.

Instructions

1. Grip the ball by placing your middle finger along the seam of the ball and your index finger right next to your middle finger. Your middle finger should be parallel to the seam. Fold your ring finger down and hold it along the bottom side of the ball. Your thumb should be straight and supporting the other bottom side of the ball.

2. Hold the ball a little bit looser than your normal curveball. Also, hold it a little farther back into your palm than your normal curveball. This will slow the pitch down.

3. Deliver the ball with your arm perpendicular to the ground. Release the ball by rotating your thumb upward and snapping your middle finger downward. As you let go, your thumb should be on top of the ball and your middle finger should be under the ball. Think of the pitch like throwing a karate chop with sideways snap of your wrist at the end.

4. Throw the ball with a more gentle and slower arm action than your normal curveball. This will make the pitch slower and give it a big looping motion. The more speed you take off, the more the ball will drop.

5. Combine the slow curveball with your normal curveball when pitching to batters. This will throw a hitter's timing off because even when a batter recognizes a curveball is coming he may not be able to tell if it is your regular curve or your slow curve until it is too late.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not throw a curveball until you are 16 years old. Throwing a curveball sooner may damage your arm.

• Never begin pitching until you have fully stretched and warmed up your arm.