Curveball
... downward and a little to the left if you are a right handed pitcher. So why does it curve downward? Most pitchers could care less as long as it helps them win games. I think knowing why will help you understand t pitch more and help you throw it better. The reason the ball curves is directly related to the laces on the ball. When the ball is thrown right the ball will spin on a horizontal axis. As the ball spins, its bottom surface moves in the same direction as the air does. At the top of the ball, the ball’s surface and the air move in opposite directions. This puts a higher air velocity on the top of the ball which increases the drag. This makes the air flowing over the ball to “break away” from the ball’s surface sooner, while the air at the bottom is moving in the same direction as the ball so it can “hang on” longer. As a result, the air flowing under the ball leaves in a direction slightly pointed upward rather than straight back. According to Newton’s law, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction so as the air is force up, the ball is forced down, this is why you will have better luck throwing into the wind rather than with it, because you get a greater air velocity on the ball. Now that you know why it works its time to learn how to make it work. First of all, children that are not fully grown shouldn’t even think about throwing a curve for two reasons. Number one, children typically play on a shortened field where the mound is much closer to the plate and since a curveball does most of its action in the last quarter of the distance on a major league field it simply does not have time to curve on a shortened field, you’re wasting your time trying. Number two, the arm action required to throw a curve causes a lot of stress and underdeveloped arms can be seriously injured by doing this. Most coaches say hold off on the curve ball until you’re at least sixteen, even then you should use it sparingly. The first step to successfully throwing a curve ball is to get the grip down. The first thing you should do is “choke the ball” (wedge it down between your thumb and forefinger). You should hold the ball with your index and middle finger together on the “horseshoe” of the ball (the side of the ball where laces that resemble a horseshoe), your thumb should be on the opposite side and your ring and little fingers should be on the side of the ball not touching the middle finger. Once you have the grip down the next part is throwing mechanics. Since velocity is important in throwing a curveball you must have good arm speed. If you can ...