Screwball Spin vs Fastball Spin

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Jun 19, 2015
48
6
It appears to me that the spin(bullet spin) on my DD's fastball is the same as her screwball. If the spin is the same what are the benefits of learning the screwball? Thanks again for yalls help.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
Unfortunately, there is no legitimate pitch thrown with bullet spin. A proper fastball from a RHP will have 1-7 +/- spin causing it to move down and slightly in to a RHB. A screwball will have 3-9 +/- spin from a RHP causing it to break in to a RHB. A bullet spin pitch may drift a bit but does not have much if any true movement. Bullet spin is usually the result of 1 or more flaws in upper body mechanics. Posture and its affect on release point are pretty common. Often a pitcher with a forward body lean which makes good brush interference and proper release all but impossible, will throw most pitches with bullet spin. Shoot some slow motion video of your DD and note where she releases the pitch and her body angle.
 

Axe

Jul 7, 2011
459
18
Atlanta
You'll get a lot of debates of whether a screwball is a legitimate pitch or not, put that aside. Bottom line is that if both have the same spin she's not throwing one (or both) of them correctly.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
You'll get a lot of debates of whether a screwball is a legitimate pitch or not, put that aside. Bottom line is that if both have the same spin she's not throwing one (or both) of them correctly.

If a pitcher can spin the ball > 25rps at close to 9-3 axis how can it not be a legitimate pitch? As with the riseball where people get off the rails with respect to the screwball is that it is a difficult pitch to master and very few ever throw it properly. Most claims of those throwing the pitch correctly are dubious at best.
 

Axe

Jul 7, 2011
459
18
Atlanta
If a pitcher can spin the ball > 25rps at close to 9-3 axis how can it not be a legitimate pitch? As with the riseball where people get off the rails with respect to the screwball is that it is a difficult pitch to master and very few ever throw it properly. Most claims of those throwing the pitch correctly are dubious at best.

My DD throws it and it's incredibly effective. No disagreement here.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
If a pitcher can spin the ball > 25rps at close to 9-3 axis how can it not be a legitimate pitch? .

Not sure many if any pitchers get true 9-3 spin on the screwball. Most are 1/7 or maybe a few elite pitchers can get 2/8 spin. I think the location and speed of the pitch is what makes it most effective not the amount of break which is minimal compared to other movemenr pitches. Conversely, a good drop ball (i.e. four seam fastball) will have 12/6 spin, and uses gravity to get more break on the pitch than a screwball.
 
Jan 4, 2012
3,852
38
OH-IO
Here is the best I could do... should have shot in TV 1/2000. Think you can see the 9/3 spin.... at least not bullet :cool:

<video width="512" height="100%" controls loop video controls autoplay>
<source src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/58923514/Resent/3%25_HB.mp4" />
</video>
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
We get into these discussions regularly.

Perfect Circle's DD does get 3-9 spin...but she isn't throwing the ball particularly fast. Will she be able to throw the ball at 60MPH with anything close 3-9 spin? I doubt it.

I have yet to see a 3-9 pitch at varsity level of HS softball, college or pro.

At the upper levels, the screwball is a "step left, throw right" pitch with bullet spin.
 
Last edited:
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
We get into these discussions regularly.

Perfect Circle's DD does get 3-9 spin...but she isn't throwing the ball particularly fast. Will she be able to throw the ball at 60MPH with anything close 3-9 spin? I doubt it.

I have yet to see a 3-9 pitch at varsity level of HS softball, college or pro.

At the upper levels, the screwball is a "step left, throw right" pitch with bullet spin.

So you are saying it is a physical impossibility for a pitcher to get 3-9 rotation and high speed? In the case of Perfect Circle's DD she will throw it 3-9 up to certain speed and at some point she will lose the physical ability to throw it any faster? From a physics and bio mechanics standpoint none of that makes any sense. I agree that it is not a common pitch, but there are those out there that throw it very well with 3-9 spin and it is very effective.
 

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