A well instructed pitcher makes the ball spin differently for a rise, screw, curve, drop and even a fast ball. The ball should and will "curl" or "curve" like it's supposed to when properly thrown. What you see on TV are a lot of girls that can place the ball, can vary the speeds, and can sometimes throw quickly. They often do not throw it properly and the announcers are incorrectly describing what is truly happening. I've probably caught a million softballs; it does rise and curve and screw and drop when thrown properly. I have the bruises to prove it 
.
