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Learning to Pitch a Softball
In today's game, there are tons of different pitches out there. Softball pitching starts with the usual fastball, which of course is straight. You also have the changeup, which is often called the backhand, horseshoe, or circle change in softball throwing. Then of course the "slowed" down pitch is another option. We could go on and on talking about curveballs, dropballs, peeldrops, rise balls, and everything else imaginable. The best thing about the names in softball pitching is most of them do what they say.
When you want to throw a fastball, the motion starts out as a windmill. In order to have the appropriate grips you have to grab the two horseshoes. Now, you can use as little as 2 fingers or as many as 4, but this usually depends on the size of the player's hand. Just remember that the more fingers you use, the more easily it will be able to be controlled.
You will find that softball pitching is geared around balance. If you want to maximize your equilibrium, then the feet should be a tad bit less then a shoulder width apart. You should face the catcher and when the windup occurs; your weight will shift to the strong foot. When this takes place a rocking motion will begin as the weight changes legs.
Your pitching arm will begin to move towards the catcher, but through and eventually reaching a twelve o'clock position. In order to keep accuracy and balance at the same time, the glove arm will actually point towards the catcher's mitt. When the ball comes back through the wind-up, it will be released around the hip level and provide a wrist snap at the same time. Without any action or snap at the release point, the rotation or spin will be minimal.
Changeups in softball pitching are a little different. Granted, the wind-up and the grip are the same, but your wrist action will vary. The idea is to release the ball before you reach waist level, and flip both the wrist and the forearm. Doing so will create a slowed movement which creates the changeup.
If you want to throw a dropball, the fingertips must be places on the stitching of the horseshoe. It also means you will have to shorten your wind-up by shortening the stride towards home plate. Even the finishing point is different since you will be landing with your glove side leg. The idea is to pull backwards a bit with the tips of your fingers while having a forward weight shift. It will create a forward spin, which of course makes the ball drop.
Another kind of softball throwing is when performing a curveball. You will need to place your small finger as well as your index finger where the laces are at their furthest. The top of the ball as the laces curve around is where you will place your middle and ring fingers. The thumb goes under the ball. If you are right handed when you release the pitch you will roll the ball counter-clockwise, but clockwise if you are left handed. This is what enables the ball to break away from the batter.
Getting a handle on each one of these pitches means you need to practice, practice, practice. The more repetition you have, the easier it will be to produce some magnificent softball pitching. Hopefully with a little work, your softball throwing practice will give you several rewards throughout each game.
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