How to Throw a Curve With Different Methods

A curveball is thrown with fastball mechanics but with a different release.

According to James Madison University Head Baseball Coach Spanky McFarland, the curveball is thrown with fastball mechanics - only the pitcher's release of the baseball differs. These differences result in vertical breaks, horizontal breaks and even changes in speed. As a pitcher matures, he needs to develop more vertically breaking pitches which are more difficult to hit. Coach McFarland explains it succinctly: "the bat is narrower than it is long."

Things You'll Need

• Baseball

Instructions

1. Hold the baseball in your pitching hand using the same grip as for a four-seam fastball. Then, tuck the baseball closer into your hand with more of your finger on the ball. The deeper you tuck the baseball into your hand, the slower the resulting curveball.

2. Hold the baseball in your pitching hand using the same grip as for a four-seam fastball, but bend your thumb at the joint. This change may give your pitch release more "flip" -- or a sharper downward break -- than the straight-thumb hold.

3. Hold the baseball in your pitching hand using the same grip as for a four-seam fastball, but bend your index finger sharply to place the nail flat against the top of the baseball. This is known as a knuckle-curve, or a "spike" curveball, which has a slower speed but a sharper break.

Tips & Warnings

• The overall pitching mechanics of throwing a curveball are identical to that of a fastball until the release and the follow-through.

• Be certain to keep your fingers hooked on the top of the baseball at the time of the ball's release to ensure a downward break on the pitch. Your wrist twists before release begins at about the time your pitching arm reaches your ear.

• Young pitchers should not throw curveballs. This pitch requires many hours of practice that would better be spent strengthening and developing growing arms.

• A change in your arm slot will result in a change in the break of your curve. It will also stress your arm's anatomy and leave you vulnerable to injuries. Pitching experts such as James Madison University's Head Baseball Coach Spanky McFarland and Dr. Tom House repeatedly counsel young pitchers to always use the same arm slot for all of their pitches.

References

• "Coaching Pitchers"; Joe "Spanky" McFarland; 2003
• "The Complete Book of Pitching"; Doug Myers & Mark Gola; 2000
• "The Art and Science of Pitching"; Tom House, et al; 2006
• "The Pitching Edge: Technique, Training, Mental Toughness"; Tom House, Ph.D.; 2000
• "The Baseball Drill Book"; Bob Bennett, Ed.; 2004