Pitchers, come at look at this.....

Mr. Wazzup
I was at a clinic about 15 or 20 years ago
where an old h.s. coach was explaining the
benefits of the slider as opposed to the
curve; especially for younger players.

The way he described it was to take a 2-seam
fast ball grip, rotate your wrist 45 degrees
away from your normal fastball release and
try to throw it like a football.

Two important things. 1. Do not slice it
as you would a curve. (think football, spiral)
2. Your release point will be substantially
different than your fastball. Don't expect
to see a miracle the first time you throw it.
It will probably end up in the dirt. Adjust
your release point upward and you should see
the results. Probably after 10 or 15 throws.

I have taught this same thing over the years
and seen some good success and a lot less stress
on the elbow. Good Luck.

m00n

you grip teh ball on the right side of a two seam fast ball. it is throw exactly like a fastball until the last phase, right when you are about to release it; it is a small flick of the wrist, almost like a curveball but as of a dramatic snap into the ball. this gives the effect of the ball running away, or in on a right hand batter (depending if you are righty or lefty). Also. . .a cutter is the same as a slider in prospective of what it does. Or if you want it to tail in on a batters hands, you would put pressure in the inner half of the ball. it takes time to find the right grip that works for you, and lots of practice and good mechanics

good luck
Jake Y.

Buster Olney of ESPN had an article on this
URL=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=olney_buster&id=1786067]http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=olney_buster&id=1786067[/URL]

a curve ball, you kinda karate chop the ball, your palm is facing inward and you release out in front, same spot as a fastball. When throwing a slider, instead facing 90 degrees in, its only 45. A cutter is less, between a slider and a fastball. The more your hand is behind the ball, the less break and the more velocity.

This is the first time I've ever heard that there are benefits to a slider over a curveball in relation to 'younger players'. I've always heard that a slider should be one of the LAST pitches learned due to the stress it imparts on the arm. I've seen numerous opinions that a slider shouldn't be thrown by anyone under 17-18. Not saying this is an absolute, just what I've read/been told.

You are right Krakatoa. The slider is very hard on a young arm. I would not recommend it for anyone under 16, at a minimum.