Peel drop

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Feb 8, 2013
11
1
Update on my kiddo: She has finally turned the corner on some constancy with the strike zone. She pretty much has three pitches right now at age 11 playing 12u ball... Fastball...change up...and peel.

When she releases the peel she has more of a rise ball release than a peel and its making the ball kind of like a bullet or cork screw type rotation. Her pitch has movement but it just does not look right.

He peel grip is the regular fastball grip with the middle finger moving to the index finger with both fingers making contact.


I will try and get some vids on it and post.

Any ideas on how to fix that?

Thanks
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
A straight peel drop should NOT be spinning on any axis other than 12-6....period. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but if its not forward spinning and staying low in the zone its nothing but a fb.
Try gripping the ball primarily with the thumb and pinky. With the index, middle, and ring fingers spread out evenly on a long seam, and peel the release with focus on long strong fingers, right on the thigh, and keep it at the batters knees. This method will show some movement and keep most of the hits on the ground and in the infield.
 
Last edited:
Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
A peel drop should NOT be spinning on any axis other than 12-6....period. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but if its not forward spinning and staying low in the zone its nothing but a fb.

With respect, I disagree. I consider a fast-rotating 12:30 - 6:30 to also be a drop, and a 11:30 - 5:30 to be one as well. You know... the scrop and crop pitches.
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
A peel drop should NOT be spinning on any axis other than 12-6....period. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but if its not forward spinning and staying low in the zone its nothing but a fb.

With respect, I disagree. I consider a fast-rotating 12:30 - 6:30 to also be a drop, and a 11:30 - 5:30 to be one as well. You know... the scrop and crop pitches.
Agreed. However we are talking about an entry level pitcher. Gaining side spin on drops shouldn't be considered until she can at least achieve an approximate 12-6 spin with consistency.
 
Oct 10, 2010
67
0
How does one throw a peel drop with a rise ball release?? Sorry, just doesn't make sense to me. At 11 years old I would move the index finger back to normal. Have the middle finger and thumb directly opposite each other. Put some tape around the ball and work on getting as close to 12-6 spin as possible. If a drop is cork screwing, your not even close to throwing a peel drop. Try a little more hand on top of the ball just prior to release instead of behind the ball.
 
Jul 17, 2012
1,091
38
With respect, I disagree. I consider a fast-rotating 12:30 - 6:30 to also be a drop, and a 11:30 - 5:30 to be one as well. You know... the scrop and crop pitches.

Hmmm..the OP isnt talking about a few degree's off...we're talking bullet / corkscrew spin. If that pitch is dropping....you can thank gravity and/or trajectory.
 
Oct 22, 2009
1,781
0
laser, if she is getting rise or bullet spin on her peel she may be trying to get too far under the ball at release. I've had a few beginners do this. If they come into the release like a fastball but get the fingers a little too far under they may try to flip up the fingers which can either cause they to flip into the body making a corkscrew spin or under the ball causing a backspin or combination of the two.

I have them do a lot of dirt drop pitches to correct this, getting them to feel the fingers stay behind the ball and pull up while behind the ball. Using a striped ball have her release it into the ground until the stripe rolls straight to you, then have her once or double bounce it to you--I use a bucket instead of a catcher for this drill, then have her hit the bucket on one bounce then turn the bucket with the opening toward the pitcher slightly angled upward and have her release the pitch where it falls into the bucket.
 
Feb 8, 2013
11
1
Thanks to all for the responses. We go see her PI on Thursday. Hopefully we can get it figured out. She has a really nice change up to compliment her fastball. But she got drilled two weeks ago in the calf with a girl who caught up to that fast ball which I knew was going to happen. The peel will be the next pitch we will really work on.

jdp, I will get some film on her and post it.

Thanks again for yalls help.
 

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