Knuckleball

I've read through this older thread. Has anyone changed their viewpoints or opinions on the KB specifically around injuries or health?

Background.....My son used to throw a KB when he was younger rather than throw a curve. It was a pretty filthy pitch that got fantastic results with his hard FB, CU, KB combination. He did not learn to throw a curve until a junior in high school, and he's never had much confidence in it. I think he has dropped the curve from his college pitching arsenal. Most of his fastballs are two seam and his college coach has taught him a nasty cutter as well. He started experimenting with the KB gain, after laying off of it for 4+ years. He's told me he is throwing it once or twice an inning for show and for a strike. The catchers in college are good enough to block and manage it, so that is not an issue as it was in HS. I'm not aware of the college pitching coach telling him to stop, and he has not complained of any soreness. So, it is FB, CU, CUT, KB in his repetoire. If health or injury are an issue, I would bring it to his attention. Otherwise, I butt out.

I think his college coach will decide this one for him. If he can get outs with it then he will probably let him throw it. The main problem with an occasional KB is that unless you are real good and throw the a lot some don’t knuckle and end up being OTF balls. (Over The Fence) I do know that a lot of college coaches start to teach their kids sliders if they don’t have one. Sliders are the preferred pitch at the next level up so if he does not have a good CB then the next breaking ball alternative might be a slider. Food for thought anyway.

Sliders and Knuckleballs that hang are usually OTF.

FYI, here are MLB percent of pitches thrown in 2008:
Fastballs - 60%
Slider - 14%
Changeup - 11%
Curve - 10%
Knuckle - 0.5%

Sultan,

Any chance you have a similiar pitching % distribution for college? I'm just curious. I googled and came up with nothing.