How to Pitch Knuckleballs Underhand in Softball

The knuckle ball can deceive a batter.

The knuckleball is a baseball and softball pitch that moves unpredictably in flight. The movement is achieved by throwing the pitch with little or no spin on the ball. This is achieved by gripping the ball with the fingertips, or even with the knuckles themselves. It is difficult to throw a ball gripped in this way with great velocity, and in softball the size of the ball makes throwing a good knuckleball challenging. Properly thrown, however, it can deceive both batters and catchers.

Things You'll Need

• Softball
• Mitt

Instructions

1. 

   Practice the palm-grip change-up first.

   Practice the palm-grip change-up first. For this pitch, hold the softball in your mitt on your left hand (right if you pitch left-handed). Place the ball in your right pitching hand so that the U-curve formed by the seam of the softball fits the curve made by your index finger and thumb when the hand is open to hold the ball. Push the ball deep into your palm. Use your regular windup and arm speed, in order to not signal the pitch to the batter, but release the ball by opening the hand, just as if you are dropping it. The ball will have a lower velocity than your usual pitch and little spin.

2. 

   Remember to not change your windup.

   Convert to a knuckleball grip. Keep the ball deep in the palm and bend at least your index and middle fingers (your ring finger is optional) so your fingertips or nails dig into a seam. Maintain your usual windup and arm speed, but when releasing the ball, flick it with the tips of your fingers, as if flicking off drops of water. The resulting pitch will be of low velocity, will not rotate as regular pitches do, and should wobble or change direction unpredictably as it approaches home plate.

3. 

   Maintain consistent arm speed during a knuckleball pitch.

   Deceive the batter. Because the knuckleball is usually thrown as a surprise weapon, it is paramount to prepare to pitch in the same way. Your mitt should conceal your bent fingers until you are ready to throw. Do not change your windup; practice throwing both your change-up and your knuckleball without slowing your speed, relying on the grip and the release of the pitch to act together to curb velocity.

4. Practice throwing the knuckleball to the corners of the plate, and not right across the center. If the pitch does not move in flight, and the batter sees the lower velocity, it becomes an easy pitch to hit. Develop a signal to your catcher that you are about to throw a knuckleball.

References

• "Softball: Steps to Success"; Diane L. Potter and Lynn V. Johnson; 2007

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish