By
eHow Sports & Fitness Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You’ll Need:
- Baseball
- Catcher or target
Step1
Toe the rubber as you normally would. In baseball, it is common for a pitcher to pitch from the "wind-up" if there is no one on base, or there is at least one runner on third base with 2 outs. Otherwise, toe the rubber from the "stretch" position. The wind-up causes you to face the batter, while the stretch causes you to face first or third base (depending if you are left-handed or right-handed.) Determine the situation and toe the rubber accordingly.
Step2
Receive the sign from the catcher. In baseball, the pitcher receives the sign of what to throw from the catcher. Some pitchers call their own game and will "shake-off" the catcher until they see the sign for the pitch they want to throw. Whatever the case, the purpose is that both the pitcher and catcher are on the same page. If the catcher is expecting a curve ball and you throw a fastball, havoc may ensue.
Step3
Grip the baseball so that your index and middle finger are against the outer seams of the ball. Your thumb will then counter-balance directly across. So, unlike a fastball where your fingers are placed at the top and bottom, your finger positioning is diagonal on the curve ball.
Step4
Go into your wind-up on the mound. A pitcher's wind-up is almost sacred to them. Meaning there are so many permutations, whatever makes your body feel comfortable is probably right for you. If you need help on mechanics, then see a pitching coach. The principles of pitching sidearm don’t occur until the very end of the motion.
Step5
Drop your rear shoulder below your front shoulder. When you are pitching over the top, the rear shoulder comes over the front shoulder as you pitch toward the place. However, because you are pitching the ball sideways, your rear shoulder will take the opposite motion.
Step6
Plant your front foot so that it’s facing home plate. Wherever your front foot points is where the ball will head. Make sure it is aiming at the plate.
Step7
Bring your arm along the side of your body. Again, rather than pitching over your front shoulder, you are pitching the baseball to the side.
Step8
Snap the baseball as you release it with your hand. The whole trick to a curve ball is that you must snap it hard upon release. This causes a tight rotation of the seams, which (by laws of physics), causes the ball to break or deviate from a level plane.
Step9
Follow through with your body and get ready to field the ball. Any good pitcher knows that the chance of a baseball coming back toward them is significant. Land on your feet.