Speed + Knuckleball

mix it up. ive mixed the knuckle ball into my arsenal.

I also have worked it into my pitch rotation. I usually only throw the knuckleball when I have 2 strikes on the batter because there is not much he can do with it. The knuckle ball if used rarely startles the hitter more than anything, and if you can locate it for a strike, you will get a lot of looking strikeouts.

Honestly, I'm not sure if I like the knuckleball with someone who is throwing upper 80's. I think it will be more beneficial if you work more on your changeup or another off-speed pitch. In the long run working on a good change-up and really help you.

The knuckleball arm action and release are different than the most normal pitching arm actions. The 2 together may adversely effect a pitcher over time. Unless you have no fastball, like Wakefield, why would you need a knuckleball. I like the change of speeds approach, that way the pitcher learns to keep the arm action the same, changes speeds and deceives the hitter. The only guys I've seen using a knuckler are usually washed up pro's that are looking to hang on, and if the knuckler can keep them in the game, then so be it.

Develop a good change up. It is more deceptive and will not hinder development of your fastball.

I think the knuckleball/fastball combo works we have a kid on our tema that does that. Good fastball and the knuckler comes and freezes them you know the pitch thats comin right when you see it but you dont know what to do

As others have said, a good offspeed instead of the knuckleball would be more beneficial because the knucleball is a different arm motion than a fastball or changeup.

A knuckleball does not have to be thrown using a different arm motion or mechanics. When thrown using the same motion, it can be effective.

Throwing 3 speeds makes even more sense than just two speeds with a FB and changeup. I have seen a kid throwing fastball in high 80's, change up in the 70's and a knuckler that wouldn't get a speeding ticket. He throws the knuckle as noted above using the same arm motion/mechanics and only throws it a max of about 5 times per game. Add in a spiked 12-6 curve ball and it makes for a good combination.

Some argue that the process of holding the knuckleball "trains" the muscles of the wrist such that it can be detrimental to the free flow of a fastball. I am interested in hearing if there is really any scientific basis for this. It makes some sense to me if it was done frequently but I believe if done infrequently as noted above, the effect would be minimal at best.

Heck, even when I golf I do the right thing about 5% of the time. That hasn't trained me to do it more often...

Sorry BVGTM. Pro's or good pitching instructors will tell you that the proper and time tested way to throw a knuckler is to push the ball forward and let the ball float out of the hand. The pushing action is not at all the same as a full circle arm action of a pitcher. The knuckler is usually a joke pitch for young experimentalists. The pitch won't often get the pitcher to the next level and that should be a goal for most young pitchers.

I agree that the normal way to throw a knuckler is with the pushing motion...and most are taught to throw it that way. I also agree that in the pro's, most use it as a last resort.

However if one can retard the spin on the ball that results in reduced velocity while maintaining normal arm motion/speed, it becomes a very effective pitch third speed changeup. Look at other pitches such as the splitter, forkball, palmball, etc. that can also be thrown using normal arm motion and also rely on changing the ball spin.

I throw a knuckleball and its very affective with half rotation and has lots of movement that really make the batter frustrated when swinging at it. I use the knuckleball more then my fastball and my fastball is 76-81mph. I get more strike outs with the knuckle ball. This year my record was 8-1.

N1, glad you're doing well with it. Is your long term goal too be good at throwing the knuckler or maybe playing college ball or further? If its the latter, then loose the knuckler and learn some off speed and breaking pitches. Any rotation on a knuckler is not considered good.

Actually Im not sure because I've been practicing my knuckleball for 3-4 years and this year I felt like I almost mastured the knuckleball. One game I threw 85% knuckleballs and had a 1 hitter with it. I also have a 12-6 curveball that also works very well and then there was my fastball that people think is pretty fast for my age(15) 76-81mph. Im also hoping for a growth spurt soon. Im only 5'6" and 105 pounds. Im Extremely light! But I eat alot!! .

How do you grip your knuckle ball? I don't really pitch but I can throw a pretty sick knuckle ball. I grip it with my 4 knuckles on top of the ball and my thumb holding the bottom. Some people say its wrong and they don't know how I make it work.

You can have any grip you want that you think is comfortable for you and that works. There really isnt a specific grip for knuckleball at all. I hold mine the exact same as Tim wakefield does, but I move my grip around the ball for different movement.