Paige Parker-2 seam vs 4 seam rise and drop

[CasshendyB]

Hey all! In the WCWS, commentators keep discussing Paige Parkers ability to throw a 2 and 4 seam rise, and a 2 and 4 seam drop. I'd love to talk more about this and gain some insight. What are the main differences? What are the advantages of both? When to throw which? How do you throw each? I'm super curious!!

 

[smddad]

Ignore what the announcers say. Especially those who were in the booth that game. They were phenomenal players, but most of what they say is to hear themselves talk.

A two seam drop. That will mean less drop. Isn't the whole idea of a drop ball to drop? A drop all that doesn't drop, is a fastball.
Same goes for a rise.

Edit to add...

Page's rise ball is one of the very few that has riseball rotation and not bullet spin. This is why she is so effective with it.

 

[Shawn]

Yeah I've seen allot of bullet spin riseballs being replayed. In fact most of the ones shown are bullet spin.

 

[Ken B]

Parker's bent finger rise:

 

[CasshendyB]

Parker's bent finger rise:

Ken B, I was hoping you would chime on in! So bent finger would be considered a 2 seam? Do you believe in having both a 4 and a 2? Why or why not?

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[CasshendyB]

Parker's bent finger rise:

Actually now looking at the video, it looks like a true 4 seam rise...?

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[Ken B]

I would suggest playing around with various cues, grips, seams and find what works best for each pitcher. Spin and speed might be good for one feel, but control stinks... Another feel might give you spiral spin, but is fast and easy to place. I'd suggest playing with both. Use the easy-to-control in games until she can control something with good spin. I like the bent-finger and this one:

[video]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rOquCOoTuro[/video]

 

[Ken B]

Wow... Just watched Michele Smith's description of the difference between the 2 and 4 seam drop thrown by Parker. Both were 4 seam...

 

[sluggers]

I'm not sure what Michelle is smoking up there in the booth. She has become the Harry Carrie of softball...

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