I/R Screwball

Megan Langenfeld threw almost all screwballs, with an occasional change up... She threw it all all different heights... And this was at the elite level

Screwballs historically may not be "the pitch" for RHP, I agree. Opposite in my opinion for a LHP, they need something moving away from RHB's. I will also agree with Boardmember that what we need to be teaching is a two tier screw. ( sinking screw, rising screw, running screw, off-speed screw )

Screwballs are extremely effective pitches at the youth level. This has more to do with batter weakness and pitch recognition issues. While the pitch may not be as effective at the college level (since the addition of the Mowatt lines) and certainly not at the elite level, one can't fault kids and their coaches for using the tools in their box to win the games they have immediately in front of them. A pitcher that can reliably spot a screwball on the hands of a batter at the youth level will not be hit very hard at all.

-W

had the first screwball lesson last night. PCs reasoning is that DD has a little overstepping of the power line (she steps with her heel on the power line when she is lined up centered) so the screwball step will help her get used to stepping a little more to the left. She said she considered the drop ball but since she already pitches a flip change, that DD already has a feeling for hand over the ball type of releases and wants to get her used to hand side/hand under releases so a riseball is easier to learn later. I thought her thinking was really good. She also said that she thinks it is 50-50 on the angle vs. movement of a screwball. Good lesson and DD was excited to learn something new. My only real concern is that I was panning more on making the CU a masterpiece before we moved on, but I think we can work on both at the same time. The CU is getting wicked btw. it's a flip but comes out with curvball spin and is faster than other flips I've seen but it drops down and away and she sells it really well, I never know when it's coming until it's halfway to me and even then it is the spin that gives it away. too bad she can only throw 3 of ten for strikes right now.

starsnuffer said:

Screwballs are extremely effective pitches at the youth level. This has more to do with batter weakness and pitch recognition issues. While the pitch may not be as effective at the college level (since the addition of the Mowatt lines) and certainly not at the elite level, one can't fault kids and their coaches for using the tools in their box to win the games they have immediately in front of them. A pitcher that can reliably spot a screwball on the hands of a batter at the youth level will not be hit very hard at all.

-W

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My DD was predominately a rise and screwball pitcher in college. She threw before the Mowatt lines and rarely would she be called for stepping over the 24. When she did she'd collect it back in again and a few batters later go right back out.
Pretty sure if she had to use them today she would find a way to adjust, or just muss the lines.

BoardMember said:

One question........Why does anyone even teach "screwball" vs. inshoot/cut drop or inside rise?..........

Nothin leaves the park faster then a quick bat on a flat screwball...........

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I saw the cut/drop last night, demonstrated by John Gay. He described it as a two-seam/two finger grip, thrown with middle finger pressure. I tried a few myself, but the focus changed to correcting my form, which turned out to be way more fun for me. The girls got a kick out of it as well!

Trying to speculate why the cut/drop seemed to have decent movement and wonder if the seams spin such that half the ball is primarily smooth and the other has the seam. From the catcher's persective:

_|__|____

<-- movement

Ken B said:

I saw the cut/drop last night, demonstrated by John Gay. He described it as a two-seam/two finger grip, thrown with middle finger pressure.

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That is the pitch I teach because it's the pitch I threw in on the hands when I played........That and up/in rise........I never threw a "screwball" in my life in competition.........

Ironically.........It's also the SPIN I look for when teaching I/R and gripping 4 seams..........



The 2 seam causes a more of a drift AND drop..........

had first lesson with PC in 3 weeks last night, she was on a nice vacation in Mejico. Anyway, she picked up with DD on the screwball and was describing the spin as bullet spin. I double checked with her and she really wants the spin to be hard, counterclockwise bullet spin. I always thought a screwball was just a reverse curve, so I have been picturing pure 3-9 spin as the goal for a pure screw (not that I even like this pitch, I think a cut drop is more effective). It seems like bullet spin is popping up all the time right now so my question is, does this pitch break or not? Is there any role for it or is it always an inferior version of another pitch that is supposed to have pure spin?

BoardMember said:

That is the pitch I teach because it's the pitch I threw in on the hands when I played........That and up/in rise........I never threw a "screwball" in my life in competition.........

Ironically.........It's also the SPIN I look for when teaching I/R and gripping 4 seams..........

The 2 seam causes a more of a drift AND drop..........

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Interesting!

Could you explain how the 2-seam drops more and drifts in more than the four seam? I'm just curious.

Also, for those who have learned the spin you "look for when teaching I/R and gripping 4 seams," would this 2-seam be the main "drop-ball" pitch you teach?