Screwball help

[Doug Romrell]

It could be that your DD is getting movement, but not because of 9-3 rotation.

sluggers, With all due respect, I don't believe the pitch has to be a perfect 9-3 rotation to be a screwball. I'd say most, if not all, riseball pitchers have some tilt to the axis. I think the same can be said of a screwball and a curveball.

What I think is happening with man10's DD is that she's likely throwing a scrop or scrise (i.e., some screwball spin, but not pure screwball).

 

[Ken B]

I think the last good college softball pitcher that I recall had a really good screwball was the pitcher from UCLA a few years ago whose name escapes me right now.

Megan Langenfeld. Stacey Nelson was another prominent screwball pitcher.

 

[Ken B]

I'll pitch in on sluggers' reward for a legit, game-speed screwball video! [MENTION=2222]Edy[/MENTION] has the best example of a pitch breaking in that I've seen on video (scrop.)

 

[Ken B]

 

[Doug Romrell]

I don't believe it is possible to get anywhere near the same break on a "screwball" as the break one can get on a "curveball." I guess that's an area we can all agree on. However, if their is any screwball-like break at all to the "screwball" pitch, why not call it a "screwball," even if it isn't true 9-3 spin.

Funny thing is that I don't even teach a screwball, because (as many have mentioned before, including Rick Pauly) you can screw up (pun intended) the overall pitching mechanics of the pitcher. Having said that, if a pitcher like Man10's DD can throw what appears to be a screwball-like pitch (without having to stride WAY to the left), then let her have it as one of her pitches (without the stride way left).

 

[cweb]

Is the effort to learn a screwball worth it? I dont believe so. First off it is hard to produce the right spin. The wrist simply doesnt turn that way as easy. Same as throwing overhand.. This doesnt mean you cant get any action or be successful at younger ages. If this is your natural action and can command it then great make it part of your arsenal. But when you get to 14s and older and hang one you will pay for this. If you throw a great rise you planned on being out of the zone and it starts down the middle you still have a chance. Not to mention most kids tell you they are throwing it because of where they step. Also if a girl has a knack or some movement with a screw, she may also have a knack to learn the rise ball.

 

[CLM265]

Early on I noticed that DD had the ability to throw a good screwball. Wasn't to thrilled with the idea of her throwing one because it might mess up her other mechanics. She works mostly on other pitches but it's nice to have a good SB at the ready. If she didn't have the natural ability to throw one then I wouldn't have tried to teach her one.

With that said, we were out practicing her pitching today and she has added a rise ball to her routine. Her ability to throw a screwball has definitely helped in learning the RB. She might not be great at her RB yet but it sure is fun to see the ball look like it's jumping up every once in awhile.

 

[Doug Romrell]

Is the effort to learn a screwball worth it?

Generally not. HOWEVER, there are some (like Man10's DD) who can throw a screwball like pitch due largely to their extra flexible wrist. I wish Man10 had a high-speed camera to film her wrist action up close so that we could have a high quality shot of her wrist action at release for that pitch. While I'm quire sure she isn't getting anything close to a 9-3 spin, I believe she is getting spin in that direction. I'd love to see it (right or wrong).

 

[cweb]

My daughter was taught cork screw spin at 10U because her coach at that time said it was the fastest way to throw .At that age she was able to throw it past most. Based on the way she spun the ball I was pretty sure the rise would be an easier pitch for her to learn. I was right. Most college coaches look for that swing and miss pitch. The screw is not that pitch. I would only work on that pitch if it was almost an innate thing for her..Changeups, heavy drops or rise balls, these are the pitches that will get her paid. Just my opinion.

 

[Chuckaducky]

Now that y'all mention it, The Kid has started to work on the rise and her ability to throw it is due largely in part to her learning the screwball. She doesn't have true 9-3 break on her screw but she can move it very well. It has caused a lot of swings and misses but when she leaves it fat, it gets hammered. It's a pitch that she is comfortable throwing and it does well for HER.