Sydney Littlejohn

Perfect Circle said:

Anybody going to tell us how to throw that curve ???

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Palm up and whip the middle finger tip around the outside of the ball. To really get the axis going perpendicular, I like a cue of thinking about the diamond on the ring finger pointing/leading the direction of the whip--almost like a twisted, sidearm flip change.

PEPPERS said:

I like the movement on the pitch where she is throwing in the bullpen, but I would like to see a little more dropping action on the curve than the pitch shown.

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As close as a palm up curve is to a rise, I'm not sure there's a good way to get it to drop?

Ken B said:

As close as a palm up curve is to a rise, I'm not sure there's a good way to get it to drop?

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DD's original pitching coach taught her a palm down curveball, so the drop curve came naturally. Since that time DD switched to a palm up curve ball. Now if I could just figure out how to get as much action on it as SL does!

I think long and lanky helps...

Speaking of crazy movement, Jeremy Manley makes a softball move like a whiffle ball in this clip:

Amanda Scarborough posted this today:

Spin/Movement - One of the key ingredients of pitching.
More spin = more movement.
This is Sydney Littlejohn, junior pitcher at Alabama, who might just have THE best curve ball in the SEC. I worked with Sydney her sophomore-senior years of high school. She is the type of kid who any coach would enjoy working with and comes from a GREAT family.
Couple of things to notice:
1. The movement. Watch it as many times as you want. That pitch look like it's going to be down the middle, and then it breaks about a ball off of the plate. Deception.
2. After you watch the movement of the ball a few times, I want you to take a look at the END of her pitch and how she finishes. Notice that she does not fully close her hips at the end of her pitch. She basically is staying open. I think sometimes there is a myth out there that pitchers MUST close their hips at the end of their pitch, and I feel Sydney is proof on her curve ball that every pitch might be different to find their own success. Find what works for you.
3. I texted Sydney and asked her what the biggest things she has learned to help her with her curve ball. She replied back, "I think the biggest thing for me is clearing my elbow and having a fast snap." Note that it's easier for her to clear her elbow because she is not worried about "closing the door" and her hips stay out of the way. "Fast snap" is definitely something to remember every pitch, because a faster snap will ALSO help her clear her arm through her hips. Everything happens in a certain order. In pitching, timing is everything.
What do you think about this curve ball?
Thanks to Softball Rooted who found this video!

Did not see any crazy curve ball movement in the new clip, but she was bringing it! Anyone know how fast she was throwing? Looked upper 60's and may be touching 70.

JAD said:

Did not see any crazy curve ball movement in the new clip, but she was bringing it! Anyone know how fast she was throwing? Looked upper 60's and may be touching 70.

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Not sure. I'll see if the replay on WatchESPN was displaying the speed.

One thing I've noticed from Osorio and Littlejohn are the abbreviated followthroughs on their finish (throwing arm).

Man, she really tries to get on top after 12...

nanotech14 said:

Look at the shadow, not saying they would call her, but she doesn't drag her toe.

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Not sure about the leap but it looks like that. It appears her strides takes her out of the 8 foot radius circle. I am watching the (reply) North Florida vs Alabama 2/22/2017

DAYUM!

watching Sydney pitch vs SC Gamecocks (game 03 of series).
shes the only pitcher Ive watched on tv this season, that when she throws a curveball, you can actually see significant horizontal movement.

she really spins the crap out of the ball.
love it!