True Curve Ball Spin?

Rocketech1 · Jul 25, 2014

What is your experience with your players/DDs trying to achieve curve ball spin. Ideally for a right handed pitcher wouldn't you want 9-3 spin (as seen by the catcher)? But from the pitchers I have caught, they all have more bullet spin, than side spin. What is fascinating to me is that the pitch still has some curve to it but I don't think they are achieving as much movement as they could if they produced more side spin.

Sweet Lou · Jul 25, 2014

If it has bullet spin are you sure it is curving and not just being released at an angle across the body giving the illusion of a pitch running away (for RHP on RHB)?

Rocketech1 · Jul 25, 2014

Sweet Lou said:
If it has bullet spin are you sure it is curving and not just being released at an angle across the body giving the illusion of a pitch running away (for RHP on RHB)?

Interesting question. Certainly the angle of trajectory of the pitch helps create the illusion of break but it seems to me in real time that the pitch is released with more bulletin spin than side spin but the axis of the spin of the ball is tilted up slightly. I would guess the true break is less than 6 inches from from halfway from home plate to the catcher. I have caught a lot of pitches over the last 6 years and would definitely say that there is some break to this type of curve ball spin.

humpty · Jul 25, 2014

Step right throw left. I know a few kids that think this is a curve ball. Step left throw right equals screwball.

NVfishing · Jul 25, 2014

I'd say 10-4. I think bullet spin tends to be flat.

humpty · Jul 25, 2014

My experience is limited but I did see a nice curveball from a 12 yo kid. Close to 3-9 spin.

Rocketech1 · Jul 26, 2014

NVfishing said:
I'd say 10-4. I think bullet spin tends to be flat.

Seems almost impossible to get tight 10-4 spin (as seen by catcher) for a RHP. I would agree with you that the conventional wisdom is that bullet spin has very little movement but when thrown at an angle and with the front axis tilted up, the pitch seems to move away from a right handed batter and not just because of the angle of the pitch but the spin of the pitch.

In another thread, BM discusses the corkscrew curve ball that when it loses speed it moves down and away. Not sure if the bullet spin is the same effect he is describing?

PEPPERS · Jul 26, 2014

DD has a great curve (3-9 spin), we pratice with the spin right spinner and double ball which I made using 2 softballs and a wood screw. If you make a double ball make sure the seams are placed for the proper grip.

Rick Pauly · Jul 26, 2014

Double Ball pic.....relatively easy to make.

PEPPERS said:
DD has a great curve (3-9 spin), we pratice with the spin right spinner and double ball which I made using 2 softballs and a wood screw. If you make a double ball make sure the seams are placed for the proper grip.

starsnuffer · Jul 27, 2014

I've never had pitchers have issues with getting proper curve ball spin. If the pitcher has bullet spin on a curve, it's because their fingers are back to far and they are releasing palm facing the batter instead of palm up. This is really the most simple pitch to get good, tight, proper orientated spin on.

-W

True Curve Ball Spin?

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