Does the riseball really rise???

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Crazy coincidence--just after posting above, DD and I stopped by the field to see some of my kids pitch and found John in the stands watching the same kids (they've seen him a few times as well.) It was a blast to sit, watch, chat about our kids, pitching, the old days and softball in general. I was thrilled when he said he'd try to come out tomorrow and watch our game! Hoping he gives DD a hard time about staying more open!

I told him I'd just bumped this thread, but he didn't remember it...
 
Last edited:
Jul 17, 2012
48
0
To me it "looks" like some rise maybe 1 out of 10-15 girls that throw it. I could be convinced that it is an illusion. I will say 100% you can make a softball rise throwing overhand from the outfield so not sure why you cant do it from pitching. I know of guys that I have witnessed throw a ball that starts 6 ft off the ground and climbs several feet before losing power and momentum.
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
Thanks for making me think of Scott. Ssarge is missed and, as some of us know, he spent considerable time on this subject. I'll leave the other arguments to some of you.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
I've done my share of explaining and just pick my spots now that DD is done. Need some of the newer blood here to carry the torch and dispel the myths!
 
Jun 18, 2010
2,624
38
hawkins_rise_side250_zpslt0rfqai.gif


hawkins_rise_pan_1200_zpshjot8b4a.gif
 
Great 3rd level riseball.....why throw it in the zone if someone is going to swing at this pitch. The more release angle the more the illusion of rising. When thrown in the zone it is flat entering the hitting zone.
 
Jan 6, 2009
6,591
113
Chehalis, Wa
According to the physics guys (of which I am not one by far) it doesn't rise because it can't rise -- by which I mean suddenly change planes upward at the end. You can't develop sufficient spin to generate sufficient Magnus Effect to overcome gravity.

Mark H has referenced a video study Scott Sargesen (sp?) did on Sarah Pauly that showed the same thing.

But one of the best tests is to DVR some college or Team USA games, and when you see what appears to be a rise ball (or what the announcers identify as a rise ball) watch it in slow motion -- especially from the behind the catcher view. What I usually see is the pitch actually STOPS rising and flattens out. That appears to be the major difference between a rise ball and a fastball that moves up through the zone. The latter continues upward due to trajectory. The former goes up, then stops going up. Perhaps we should change the name to the flatter-outer. :)

Ken, yes the riseball flattens out and begins to drop, creating an hump over the bat through the zone.
 

Members online

No members online now.

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,481
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top