So she's been tinkering with a "backdoor curve"

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May 9, 2015
263
18
West Virginia
Question, is it different than a curveball, in regard to mechanics and does she need to jump across the power line to throw it? Heres a link of her try at it. https://youtu.be/V-mChDrUlE8
The angle isn't great and I'm not sure how much break you can see but it did break some.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
The mechanics should not change. Remember that the goal is to have every pitch look the same. Only the resulting movement should change. That said you just throw the pitch inside at the knee and hope for the best! It is a very effective yet risky pitch. If thrown inside the hitter must stay in the box and wait for the pitch to move and risk getting hit if does not break. The risk to the pitcher is that if it does not break you have a HBP. If it breaks too much you have a fat pitch. So you must have exceptional command of the pitch. Same goes for the throwing the pitch outside except it requires a different type of discipline from the hitter. The pitch will look like it is well away and will break toward the plate. Again the risk is that if it does not break it stays off the plate. This risk can be mitigated by when it is thrown in the count. A good one to throw when ahead. The most dangerous aspect is when the pitch breaks too much and becomes a fatty down the middle. Again if you are going to throw any pitch that moves toward the zone you better have excellent command of the pitch. But like they say - No guts! No glory! :)

ETA: Important to understand that a backdoor curve or backdoor whatever is NOT a different pitch! It is the pitch you already have, simply thrown to a location so that it moves toward the zone instead of away from the zone. Properly thrown it will catch the back corner of the plate, hence the name.
 
Last edited:
Jun 18, 2012
3,183
48
Utah
Oh, it did "break some!" I would say that that is a great pitch for her, and she throws it well.

While I do agree with what riseball said generally, I believe there could be some variation in stride versus powerline.
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
. Properly thrown it will catch the back corner of the plate, hence the name.

You forgot THE most important part. You have to have an umpire who is smart enough to recognize the pitch. I've seen too many of them who give up on the pitch too soon and call them balls when they are catching the corner.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
Very true. Unfortunately most umpires will only call a strike if the ball breaks the front plane of zone. Too many fail to see the zone as 3 dimensional.
 
Oct 14, 2016
13
3
With a good catcher that can give that pitch a good frame might get the call from the ump.

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