Screwball

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Jan 28, 2017
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How do you use the screwball? If a righty throw it to slappers? Some say don't that's where they want it. How would you use it against right handed hitters?

To me this is the hardest pitch to understand as a baseball guy.
 
Last edited:
May 27, 2013
2,353
113
I actually used to have my dd throw a curve or rise to lefty slappers because it seemed like they were used to getting a screwball thrown to them. I typically have my dd throw a screw if a righty is hugging the plate. It will usually back them off the plate and then she’ll come back with a curve. It depends on where the batter sets up in the box and what kind of swing they have if she’ll throw it or not.
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
You have to define the term "screwball". If you call a screwball a pitch that a RHP throws to a RH batter that breaks inside, then you have effectively defined a unicorn...because neither exist.

If you watched the CWS, you saw drops and rises... Pitches with the correct spin to make the ball break.

But, there were zero pitches with anything approaching the correct spin for a screwball.

In practice, a screwball is simply a "step left throw right" fastball, usually thrown with bullet spin.

The effectiveness of the pitch comes from the ball being released at a different position than the other pitches. That is, the release position of the ball is 6 inches or so further left than the batter anticipates.

So, the screwball is just an inside fastball.
 
Last edited:
Jan 28, 2017
1,661
83
You have to define the term "screwball". If you call a screwball a pitch that a RHP throws to a RH batter that breaks inside, then you have effectively defined a unicorn...because neither exist.

If you watched the CWS, you saw drops and rises... Pitches with the correct spin to make the ball break.

But, there were zero pitches with anything approaching the correct spin for a screwball.

In practice, a screwball is simply a "step left throw right" fastball, usually thrown with bullet spin.

The effectiveness of the pitch comes from the ball being released at a different position than the other pitches. That is, the release position of the ball is 6 inches or so further left than the batter anticipates.

So, the screwball is just an inside fastball.

OK. How would you use it?
 
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
The scrop was this pitcher’s only pitch, but effective on the outside or inside.

 
Last edited:
Feb 3, 2010
5,752
113
Pac NW
Looks like hand finishes on the outside of ball

Would have loved to have got some close up of her release, but given her overall form, she's likely limited to the scrop and a change. It was interesting to watch, tho... Should have seen me rubber neck when I first saw it!
 

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