Curve Releases

How do the palm-up and palm-down curves differ in speed? In my mind, the former would be slower, but have heard otherwise. Does Ricketts use a palm-down release for her reported "crop?"

The palm up is slower from a pure physics standpoint, since the lever is shorter. For a pitcher, they'll likely be better with whichever they practice more.

What I've found works for most kids, is that if they use a rollover drop or are a drop ball pitcher (I prefer the peel but with some kids at some ages you can only change so much), then the palm down works better, since the spin is the same. Care needs to be employed here to make sure they don't end up throwing a drop curve or a crop unintentionally. Many kids learn a drop curve or crop simply because they never took the time to learn a proper curve or drop and just "settle".

For kids that throw a rise, or for younger kids with smaller hands that you want to teach the rise to at some point, the palm up curve often works better because the spin is the same. The shoulder needs to be kept down and good arm whip practiced to throw this curve, so it is a good setup in prep to the rise.

I'm pretty sure Ricketts uses a palm up release, but I'll ask this weekend. She played travel ball for the Sorcerers and I'll see some of their coaches this weekend, maybe they'll know.

-W

My DD was initially taught to throw an palm-down curve ball, then we switched pitching coaches and she learned to throw a palm-up curve ball. With the palm-up she can get better spin and lateral movement on the ball, but DD still throws the palm-down curve ball as a drop curve.

starsnuffer said:

She played travel ball for the Sorcerers and I'll see some of their coaches this weekend, maybe they'll know.

-W

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Speaking of the Sorcerers, I understand Phil is really sick.......

KenB said:

How do the palm-up and palm-down curves differ in speed? In my mind, the former would be slower, but have heard otherwise. Does Ricketts use a palm-down release for her reported "crop?"

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I read where some one called Ricket's crop, cr^p. It is a rollover drop without the curve. She throws it cross corner with her palm down. A curve would be palm up...same with a rise with back spin. Curves and screws have 3-9 or 9-3 spin.

BoardMember said:

Speaking of the Sorcerers, I understand Phil is really sick.......

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I heard something to that effect but everything I see is full speed ahead for 2013. If I find out more I'll PM you, unless it's something the family is ok talking about.

-W

Out in Left Field said:

From looking at pictures and games on the Internet, Ricketts is palm up on the curve. She is palm down on the rollover at the end.

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So her so called crop is a roll over with a cross corner angle and not a drop curve or a curve drop. Palm up for curves, and palm down for roll over drops. Can't be both. Tails on the peel drop are from seam spin being a little off horizontal one way or the other.

Ricketts is big, left handed, and her 70+ mph is over powering to most hitters. She is more of a thrower than a pitcher. JMHO.

Out in Left Field said:

I don't get all that, but I never thought her curve dropped more than any other curve. I think that is all TV stuff. All pitches have to drop at some point. Her drop is straight, looks like to me,and that is a rollover. Why can't she have both?

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That top video is a NASTY pitch!!