How to throw a knuckleball

So you want to know how big league pitchers throw the knuckleball? Here's video of three knuckleballers. Each throws their pitch between 62 and 65 mph, which is generally recognized in the big leagues as ideal knuckleball speed.

Charlie Hough

Tim Wakefield

Jared Fernandez

Knuckleball tips: In order to prevent excessive spin, the last three fingertips that touch the ball (all at the same time) are the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. They push the ball out (kind of like flicking those three fingers to close a door) all at the same time to create a "triangle" of pressure, which prevents spin.

The ball rests against the palm and that's what allows the forward momentum of the arm to create speed on the ball (fingers are not strong enough to hold the ball away from the palm when throwing). Once the momentum starts going forward, the ball starts to fly away from the palm by inertia and gravity.

By pushing the fingers out at just the right time, the three fingertips keep the ball from spinning. Trying to release the ball with just two fingers always results in too much spin ... the thumb has to be there as well.

For more information about the knuckleball, visit Dave Clark's Knuckleball Headquarters, a site for knuckleball enthusiasts.