In the "Spin" thread, Rick Pauly said something that really caught my attention. Why, because I was trying to determine exactly what he was talking about. Here's what he said in that thread...
The pitch does break out on a right-handed batter. And, having back-spin, it wouldn't drop as much as a drop-ball. Yes, yes... we are working on a riseball and a curveball. Hopefully, the riseball will have mostly backspin with very little side-spin, and the curveball will have mostly side-spin with very little back-spin. Yes, she may need to turn the ball some in terms of her grip, and she'll need to continue to work on having her curveball release more of a cupping under the ball, and her riseball be more of a cutting action.
BUT.... I think it's important for me to get the tape right for how she is actually throwing it so that she and I have a less difficult time seeing the axis and spin. This would mean having the tape in a less traditional location on the ball
The axis of rotation is significantly more important than spin rate. Measuring spin axis is easy for the dropball (use a striped ball). Reading the spin axis on a rise or curve is significantly more difficult. This will sound a bit egotistical, but I have probably seen more pitches than 99.9999% of humans alive....I still have difficulty accurately reading spin axis on curve/rise. If you have a camera that will film at 600 fps then you have a chance....even then it is difficult.
The pitch does break out on a right-handed batter. And, having back-spin, it wouldn't drop as much as a drop-ball. Yes, yes... we are working on a riseball and a curveball. Hopefully, the riseball will have mostly backspin with very little side-spin, and the curveball will have mostly side-spin with very little back-spin. Yes, she may need to turn the ball some in terms of her grip, and she'll need to continue to work on having her curveball release more of a cupping under the ball, and her riseball be more of a cutting action.
BUT.... I think it's important for me to get the tape right for how she is actually throwing it so that she and I have a less difficult time seeing the axis and spin. This would mean having the tape in a less traditional location on the ball