i mean when i throw to the cutoff from the outfield. It curves and it keeps going low. INPUT?
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Sounds like a breakdown in mechanics.
Have you asked your coach about this?
Have you asked your coach about this?
quote:Originally posted by Jon Doyle:
Sounds like a breakdown in mechanics.
Have you asked your coach about this?
He didn't say much. Just to try and throw the ball higher.
Do you think i could be overotating my hips and shoulders?
You could be throwing the ball with a curve ball type of action with the arm. Or just any weird rotation you put on the ball may be the cause.
Are you saying that the ball lands short of the target?
If so, you could be (accidentally) throwing a slider.
Make sure you follow through more toward the target and don't twist your wrist as you release the ball.
You can see whether you are putting pure backspin on the ball by drawing a line all the way around the ball through the horseshoes. What you should see is a vertical line as the ball goes to the target. If you don't see the line, then the ball could be tumbling, which may be due to twisting your wrist.
If so, you could be (accidentally) throwing a slider.
Make sure you follow through more toward the target and don't twist your wrist as you release the ball.
You can see whether you are putting pure backspin on the ball by drawing a line all the way around the ball through the horseshoes. What you should see is a vertical line as the ball goes to the target. If you don't see the line, then the ball could be tumbling, which may be due to twisting your wrist.
quote:Originally posted by Coach Chris:
Are you saying that the ball lands short of the target?
If so, you could be (accidentally) throwing a slider.
Make sure you follow through more toward the target and don't twist your wrist as you release the ball.
You can see whether you are putting pure backspin on the ball by drawing a line all the way around the ball through the horseshoes. What you should see is a vertical line as the ball goes to the target. If you don't see the line, then the ball could be tumbling, which may be due to twisting your wrist.
That twisting of the wrist..is kinda natural to me. Even my hard fastball acts like a cutter some times. i just cant make it stop
quote:Originally posted by smokky1:
That twisting of the wrist..is kinda natural to me. Even my hard fastball acts like a cutter some times. i just cant make it stop
If u can't stop don't plan on being an outfielder or the left side of the infield
quote:Originally posted by Novice Dad:quote:Originally posted by smokky1:
That twisting of the wrist..is kinda natural to me. Even my hard fastball acts like a cutter some times. i just cant make it stop
If u can't stop don't plan on being an outfielder or the left side of the infield
nah.. i can still throw the ball hard and far, but i just wanted to know why my ball curves some times
quote:That twisting of the wrist..is kinda natural to me. Even my hard fastball acts like a cutter some times.
It may be natural for you, and helpful when pitching, but it's a problem for an outfielder (or for a 3B or SS because they also have to make long throws).
It may also be slowly damaging your arm and may cut short your career (if your inability to get the ball to the target on the fly doesn't get you cut first).
Obviously it is difficult for any of us to tell you exactly what is going on without seeing you.
Experience is telling me that you come from 3/4 and not straight over the top.
It is a big deal if you want to be an OF.
Is there an assistant coach that can help you? Or summer league coach?
I just worry about potential long-term issues, as coach Chris pointed out.
Experience is telling me that you come from 3/4 and not straight over the top.
It is a big deal if you want to be an OF.
Is there an assistant coach that can help you? Or summer league coach?
I just worry about potential long-term issues, as coach Chris pointed out.
While none of us have seen you and can't definitely tell you what you're doing, I do want to point out a few things that you might check to make sure you're doing. If you're not doing these things, try them and they will help you throw the ball straight. Actually, these things are just part of proper throwing form.
First, this is basic but, Are you taking a 4 seam grip on the ball everytime you go to throw? If not and you're throwing with a 2 seam grip, the ball tailing and sinking will be expected and more pronounced, just like when a pitcher throws a 2 seam fastball vs. a 4 seam fastball.
Second, regardless of your arm slot, are you making sure that the ball comes off your fingers with your fingers on top of the ball, or are your fingers on the side of the ball when you release it? They should be coming right off the top center of the ball with a 4 seam grip to throw the ball straight.
Third, are you keeping your wrist straight, in the sense that you're not rotating it at all when releasing the ball? Your wrist should bend or snap downward as you release the ball, but it should be straight downward, not with a twisting motion at all.
Once you checked how you throw with these three things in mind, let us know the details and someone can comment on what you find out.
First, this is basic but, Are you taking a 4 seam grip on the ball everytime you go to throw? If not and you're throwing with a 2 seam grip, the ball tailing and sinking will be expected and more pronounced, just like when a pitcher throws a 2 seam fastball vs. a 4 seam fastball.
Second, regardless of your arm slot, are you making sure that the ball comes off your fingers with your fingers on top of the ball, or are your fingers on the side of the ball when you release it? They should be coming right off the top center of the ball with a 4 seam grip to throw the ball straight.
Third, are you keeping your wrist straight, in the sense that you're not rotating it at all when releasing the ball? Your wrist should bend or snap downward as you release the ball, but it should be straight downward, not with a twisting motion at all.
Once you checked how you throw with these three things in mind, let us know the details and someone can comment on what you find out.
Coach Chris
Would you be good enough to tell us what your actual baseball background is other than being coach to your two young sons?
Would you be good enough to tell us what your actual baseball background is other than being coach to your two young sons?
TR,
You've summed him up. That's all folks...
You've summed him up. That's all folks...
I think 06 catcherdad makes some good practical points. The first and easiest thing to work on is making sure you use the four seam grip. You must be able to make the grip very naturaly.(will take some time and effort to do it by feel without thinking about it.) You may not see instant results but keep working on this as it will help your throw from all fielding positions. Second make sure you stay on top of the ball. (fingers on top of the ball at release) To get the idea of this hold a ball in your hand, four seam grip, extend your arm out front of your body and make sure your palm is face down. Make sure your wrist is not cocked. If you work at these two things I think it will help a lot. Good luck and keep playing hard.
Jim Wis
Jim Wis
Take up pitching.....
Actually I think it may come down to grip and release. A two seam moves more than a 4.
Actually I think it may come down to grip and release. A two seam moves more than a 4.
Obrady finally hit it on the head. Check the grip and make sure your not twisting your wrist. Some kids will throw with a 2 seam grip and when pulling down they get a sinking action unintentionaly. Make sure you're throwing with a 4 seam grip.
I am thinking its probably your grip.
When you recive the ball take the time to feel the seams and rotate the ball until you have a 4 seem grip. Do it slowly and deliberately until it becomes 2 nature. In practice do not rush your throw and see if that helps.
When you recive the ball take the time to feel the seams and rotate the ball until you have a 4 seem grip. Do it slowly and deliberately until it becomes 2 nature. In practice do not rush your throw and see if that helps.
Chris you really break me up.
i guess it could be my grip. I guess i am in a hurry to get the ball quick out of my glove and i just throw it with any grip.
quote:i mean when i throw to the cutoff from the outfield. It curves and it keeps going low. INPUT?
Several other posters gave what the problem almost certainly is--your grip. You should always use a 4-seam grip when throwing to a base, whether you're an outfielder or infielder. That should be one of the first things a kid learns in baseball at the age of 5 or 6. Johnny Bench said when he got to the majors he'd never been taught that, so he taught himself by taking a catcher's mitt to the movies with him and while he was watching the flick, he'd constantly toss the ball into the mitt and then "find" the four-seam grip by feeling. Wherever you pick a ball up, you're only a quarter turn from a 4-seam grip and after you practice a short while it becomes very easy to get the right grip in a nanosecond. My son plays 1B when he's not pitching and it's a constant gripe to see improperly trained players just "grip and rip it" and the results are curve balls, balls that fall off the table, etc. Also, if you don't use a 4-seam grip and it hits the ground, the rotation will cause it to bounce weird. The 4-seam grip is the only grip that will allow the ball to travel straight and to bounce straight. Just get your glove and a ball and watch TV and practice getting the grip while watching a show. It really doesn't take long to master it. This is one of the problems with "daddyball" in that I've found a great many "coaches" don't teach it early on to kids and the first baseman is the one getting the flak from unaware people in the stands (or even a coach!) when the ball bounces weird. It sometimes looks like the receiver made the error when in reality it was the thrower. If you haven't always used a 4-seamer in the past, at first you're probably going to be a bit slower in getting to the launch position, but after mastering it there should be virtually no difference in the time it takes to reach your target. It really takes just a fraction of a second to get the right grip once you've practiced it and mastered it so it's instinctive. And, the extremely small difference in time is more than made up by making an accurate, straight throw.
Hope that helps.
I hope that helps. Often you feel rushed. Know what you will do if the ball comes to you and where you are going to throw in a given situation. It is better to make a smart good throw than rush.
Blue gives good advice. I am sure this will help. The ball also travels faster than a ball curving away from the target. Your confidence level will rise as you master a good acurate throw.
Smoke, Is the the ball cutting or sinking?
quote:Originally posted by DeeMack:
Smoke, Is the the ball cutting or sinking?
a little of both
quote:Bench taught himself by taking a catcher's mitt to the movies with him and while he was watching the flick, he'd constantly toss the ball into the mitt and then "find" the four-seam grip by feeling.
And you thought talking in a movie was annoying!
I often attempted a grip in a movie, too. Did he take his girlfriend with him for some smooching? (most of you oldtimers know where the next joke is going (censored!).