throwing with thumb on the side of the ball...

Two great ways to kill speed, move the thumb out from under the ball, and squeeze it.

Yeah basically with the thumb on the side of the ball you are essentially throwing a curve whether you mean to or not. Bring the thumb under the ball and have a relaxed grip on the ball. Not only will you throw harder, but also more accurately.

I knew a HS player, very talented, that ended up with Tommy John surgary.It was attributed to thumb placement, causing repeated rotational pressure on the ulner nerve. Who knows? Four seam grip and thumb under ball midway between index and middle finger as a general guideline.

ok im going to give it a shot, but the ball never curved, ive never had elbow pain either, by ball always tailed quite a bit, the pressure is mostly between my thumb and my curled up ring finger.
any idea how much velo could be lost or gained?

Was wondering what postions your playing now and what velocity your seeing. You likely will not see a huge velocity difference, but some, depending on how the ball was rotating, and how the ball will rotate after the change. The ball tailing quite a bit tells you how the ball is rotating after leaving your hand. The preference is for position players to throw four seams so the ball spins more straight backwards, helping the ball go straight, as opposed to tailing in some way. Pitchers throw throw four seam fastballs, less movement and more velocity. Two seam fastballs, angle rotation, movement, and generally less velocity.

i pitch, and ive topped out at 93

So you've gained back the 15-20 mph you had lost in sept.?

im stuck around 88 now, but my mechanics are coming along and getting close