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406 THE PITCHES AND GRIPS
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FASTBALL:
This pitch, is every pitcher's basic pitch. Location is the most important aspect of the fastball. When control is mastered the next concern is, movement, then comes velocity.
Movement of the fastball is very important. When a pitcher throws his hardest the ball flattens out and stays on a straight plain, which is easier for the batter to hit. The key for a pitcher is to find the "best speed" that affords the most movement. Two types of grips are used by pitchers to throw the fastball. Either by gripping the ball over two seams or four seams. The two seam fastball will generate more movement however, the four seamed fastball is easier to control and most power pitchers use the four seam grip.
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FOUR SEAM FASTBALL FRONT VIEW
FOUR SEAM FASTBALL
SIDE VIEW
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CHANGE UP:
This pitch considered by many professional coaches and players to be the best pitch a pitcher can have. The change-up should always be thrown low in the strike zone, about ten miles per hour slower than the pitcher's fastball. There are several different grips to use when throwing the change-up. However, my own experience shows "the circle change is the easiest and most effective for beginners to learn to control." The ball is placed in the middle of the hand with a circle being formed with the thumb and finger on the side of the ball. With the change up grip the pitch will automatically be slower than a fastball. This allows the pitcher to keep his mechanics and motion the same as a fastball.
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SIDE VIEW
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CURVE BALL
The curve ball is thrown to break directly with a downward motion into the strike-zone. The arm action when throwing the curve is centred around the elbow being the centre point when the pitcher reaches his normal release point. This helps the pitcher position his hand with knuckles facing directly at the catcher. Releasing the ball by bringing the arm straight down quickly and the proper spin is created when the ball rolls of the fingers.
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FRONT VIEW
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KNUCKLEBALL:
Gripping the ball so that when it is released, there is no spin on the ball. This causes the ball to move in an inconsistent and unpredictable way. As it can be adversely affected by wind, scuff marks and the different angles in which it can be released by the pitcher. Many various grips are used by different pitchers. The object is to hold the ball and push it away, with the knuckled fingers pressed into the surface of the ball or on the seams.
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FRONT VIEW
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SLIDER:
This pitch breaks down and away from a right handed batter. By gripping the ball off-centre so about half the ball is sticking out of the hand. The middle finer is placed on a seam, closer to the thumb. This causes the the ball to break away and along with downward motion when thrown with the same mechanics as the curve ball.
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SLIDER
SIDE VIEW
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SPLIT FINGER:
By spreading the fingers and putting pressure on the ball with the index finger, causes the ball to break in a downward motion. It breaks about one to two feet in front of the plate.
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FRONT VIEW
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THE PITCH OUT:
A pitch out is a deliberate pitch, thrown high and outside the strike zone. Its' purpose is to aid the catcher in throwing to a base in anticipation of runner stealing.
THE BALK:
When there are runners on base the pitcher must follow additional rules, covering his movements on the mound. The "Balk Rule" is intended to prevent pitchers from deceiving base-runners. Once the pitcher starts his normal delivery to home-plate he must continue without attempting to trick the base-runners. When the pitcher throws to first base he must step directly to that base. The rules covering balks are quite clear. In youth baseball, with fewer umpires it is often difficult for them to detect the twelve different ways that a pitcher can balk.
When in the set position (hands together - see delivery first-step in section (407) you must pause for at least a second, before delivering the ball.
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