CURVE
- There are several ways to hold and release this pitch. I have found the most effective to be this split finger grip and a palm-up release, wrapping the fingers quickly around the front of the ball.
- The curve needs to be thrown will lots of speed and rotation or it will not break.
- Use your feet! Step first to the inside with your stride foot (as though you are pitching an inside pitch), then rotate the hips quickly at the release to cross the drag foot over in front of the stride foot (as though you're stepping to the outside of the plate).
- You should finish with your arm across your belly, parallel to the ground, and your throwing shoulder and hip facing the catcher. If the spin is correct, it will rotate like a top, and it will look like there is a dot on the top and bottom of the ball.
- If you consistantly throw to the middle or inside of the plate even though you have the proper spin, try holding on to the ball a little longer before you release it or make your feet quicker.
- When you are confident with this pitch and can throw it consistantly on the outside corner, start playing with release points so you can throw these in different places. The curve is an awesome pitch to throw to a lefty batter if you start it way away from them so that it breaks in for a strike on their outside corner. Gets them ever time!
- Since the curve has such a drastically different motion, pitchers are more prone to injury. Do a ton of drills when learning this pitch so you get the proper form down before you throw full speed/distance. Remember to keep the elbow tucked into your side tightly. Letting your elbow get out away from your body puts strain on the back of your shoulder. Also remember to stay tall throughout this pitch. Slouching at the end can lead to a sore back.
Riser