shaker1
Softball Junkie
I can assure you I can put flat side spin on a ball for it to curve. But I chose not to in games because I didn't want the pitch staying on the same plain as where I threw it for the hitter to read, measure and attack. Hitting balls on the same plain is what the majority of girls are taught from day 1 of working on their swing first it's T work, then soft toss, etc. Nothing that simulates the ball moving so they can hit the ball and learn to adjust the swing accordingly.
DNeeld things most curves will have some degree of backspin... I guess that ultimately depends on if you throw it with the palm under or palm on top of the ball. Personally I don't think palm on top puts as much rotation for the ball to curve as palm under but, I'm sure there will be plenty of arguments on that one. There is a lot of curveball (and screwball) confusion by the step off the rubber. Way TOO many people see a RHP step way right and throw way left and call it a curve (regardless of the spin) and step way left and throw way right and call it a screw (regardless of the spin). And once again, because girls are not taught adjustments to moving pitches early enough it seems like the strikeout is caused by movement rather than the girls simply not knowing how to hit it.
As some of you know I worked with Oregon's Jenna Lilley since she was 10 years old. I threw BP to her for 1/2 hour every week for 8 years. I taught her how to read me, watch my grip, look for distinctions in my motion to telegraph the pitch etc etc. I am telling you, without a word of a lie, by the time she was a junior in HS I could not fool her on pitches. Now in full disclosure, I didn't throw 100% at her but I threw much harder than ANYONE she'd see in college. She was not fooled by pitches, fouling off what she couldn't hit square. We started together when I would throw to her sister who was at Northwestern at the time. Jenna's dad, how is a hitting coach by the way, had 3 girls play D1 softball and a brother D1 baseball and drafted by Cardinals. But he had the foresight to get Jenna hitting live pitching ASAP. I'd say it paid off. But make no mistake Jenna was playing D1 with or without me. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! However I'd like to think I helped.
That story was not to brag. It was to illustrate the difference between learning to hit pitches and learning to swing. It's not the same thing. And pitches that look successful can be deceptive.
Bill
Well?? I'm sure if anyone can, you probably could. Wasn't directing that at anyone in particular Bill. Just that it's a very difficult spin to achieve. In your opinion, what is the ideal spin for a palm up curve?
Last edited: