Need a good fourth pitch

how about a splitter

I heard sliders are pretty easy to learn, and it doesn't do much to your arm.

You heard or you know? Slider isn't a pitch to joke around with.

I say you stick with your three pitches that you have already and perfect them. Become more consistant with your curveball and be able to throw it when your behind in the count to keep the hitters off balance.

What fastballs do you throw? Both 2 & 4 seam?

With a 2 seam, 4 seam, c/u and curve you really don't have to have any other pitches. Work on mastering these.

Focus on the Fastball velocity and location.
Work on getting the changeup to break, have a solid differencial from the fastball, and keeping it down.
Use the curve as a get it over pitch and a 2 strike pitch [to give them a different look]

your 15, as am I... Most 15 year olds only throw 2 pitches, don't bother with a forth yet.

Focus on the Fastball and changeup.

Most of the time i throw a 2 seam but occasionally will mix in the 4 seam

a slider is a dangerous pitch, but if thrown correctly is very effective, and is no harder on your arm than a fb. put both of your fingers on one of the fourth seams, grip it like a curve. throw it just like a fastball. with your fingers to the left side of the ball will give it side spin. instead of following through with your hand next to your knee, pull your fingers into your ribs. if they are facing the side then you are twisting your wrist. which is wrong. this is actually more of a variation of a cutter than a slider, but i have found it very effective. make sure you have someone monitoring you when you throw it.

quote:

Originally posted by ballslinar21:
a slider is a dangerous pitch, but if thrown correctly is very effective, and is no harder on your arm than a fb.

Nonsense. The slider is widely recognized as the hardest pitch on the arm. The supination required for a slider is very stressful on the elbow.

did u read my whole post, i said it was more of a variation of a cutter. it just has the break of a slider. the way i described of throwing it you do not twist your wrist at all. i wouldnt have posted this if i didnt throw the pitch myself

A cut fastball is thrown with fastball mechanics. There is no supination.

If you are talking about a cut fb, then don't call it a slider.

When you talked about pulling the fingers to the side, that sounded like you were talking about supination.

If you want your posts understood, improve the clarity.

Right on Texan. The kid can easily have 4 pitches with 2 Fb's a Cb and a CH. Work the 2 seamer in pens until you get different movement than the 4 seam. Those 4 will get you thru many games with location.

a little touchy are we texan? while you are sitting in your chair right now, pull your fingers into your ribs and see if it gives your wrist time to twist

Maybe you can't, but I can supinate my wrist while taking the fingers to the ribs.

Again, be more clear and there will be fewer misunderstandings. Don't say slider when you are talking about a cut.

And please don't mislead someone into thinking that the slider is a pitch that isn't hard on the elbow. No 15YO needs to be messing with a slider.

i get your point i shouldnt have said slider. but i did tell the correct way to throw it. ill refrase that no one throw a slider throw a cutter, basically same speed and same movement, but a lot easier on your arm. read my original post to see how to throw it

I've thrown a slider for 2+ years now and have had no trouble. I'm pretty developed but am a strong believer that if you throw it correctly, no harm will occur. It's one of those things that if you let the grip do the work to get the movement on the ball you'll be fine, if you have to change arm action to try to almost push it to slide (normally causing the hand to get under the ball) then arm problems will be knocking on your door.

exactly what ive been tryin to say. most people think of a slider as a twisting of the wrist. let the grip do the work, everyone gets touchy when you even mention a slider. but ive thrown one for around two years also letting the grip do the work. and i have not had any arm trouble either

At the HS level why do you need a 4th pitch especially if you are successful with what you are doing?

I have 4, maybe even 5 if you get technical, pitches. 3 pitches are used for ground ball outs, and the 4th-the slider, is used for the K's.