How to throw a curve ball (with video)

Every baseball instructor and coach teaches the curve ball differently. Here's pitching video how Mark McDonnell of AllStar Dugout teaches it. 

'How To Throw A Curve Ball' Video

When to teach a curve ball?

Generally speaking, I believe a pitcher should be close to 15 years of age before throwing the curve ball in game situations. It is not a matter of being able to teach the pitch to a young pitcher, but rather should it be taught to pitchers with immature arms?

Factors to consider:

1. Has the pitcher reached puberty; how developed are his bones and connective tissues? - A young pitcher’s connective tissues, his tendons and ligaments, are not as strong or as securely attached compared to a mature pitcher, thus there is a greater risk of injury.
2. Is the pitcher in the middle of a major growth spurt?
3. How well developed are the biceps, triceps and forearm muscles? - A young pitcher needs arm muscle strength to help stabilize and control the forces on the elbow joint during the acceleration, release and deceleration phases.
4. Has the pitcher been taught to throw the curve ball properly?
5. How many curve balls (percentage wise) is he throwing in games?
6. Is the pitcher experiencing any arm, mainly elbow, problems from throwing the curve ball?

Most of the stress from throwing the curve ball is on the ligaments of the elbow, the biceps and forearm muscles. Since the hand and arm speed is slower than on the fastball and slider, and the elbow leads longer, there is usually not as much stress on the shoulder joint as on the fastball.

Another major reason I have concerns about teaching the curve ball to 13 and 14-year old pitchers is that they already have more than enough physical stress having to pitch from a 60-foot 6’-inch mound versus the 46-foot Little League distance. To add a breaking pitch at this age only compounds the physical exertion on the arm and body. Most young pitchers' hands and fingers are smaller and shorter, so the youngsters have problems gripping, controlling and releasing the pitch properly. This often causes the hand, wrist or elbow to be out of proper position during the acceleration and release phases, which can lead to injury.

Also when a young pitcher learns to throw a curve ball and has some success with it, he often "falls in love" with the pitch (throws it too often) and he will never really develop arm strength, hand speed, and fast ball velocity.

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How to improve pitching velocity

So you want to improve pitching velocity? Perhaps the most important way to do that is to throw with proper throwing mechanics. To me good mechanics are efficient and repeatable.

If you are pitching at 85% efficiency, increasing your efficiency just a few percentage points can potentially increase velocity by 3 to 5 mph or more. I liken it to cars: a sleeker car is usually faster (more efficient) than a boxier car (less efficient). Can you improve your mechanics?

Don't overlook the importance of throwing hard in practice, either. Hard throwers such as Roger Clemens, shown here, throw hard because they train to throw hard ... by throwing hard in practice.

Set aside time every week to throw off a mound between starts. Use good arm speed. Don't baby your bullpen sessions. Build up to 100% effort, just as you would in a game. That's because developing arm speed is similar to developing running speed: you have to train at maximum speed to create breakthroughs in performance. A sprinter won't run faster jogging at 75% effort – nor can a pitcher develop fastball arm speed throwing at 75% effort. Train the way you expect to perform. Make your practice bullpens count.

Here are some additional ways to improve pitching velocity:

• Develop proper pitching mechanics.
• Become more fit – do your sprintwork, plyometrics, shoulder, core, and scapular stabilization exercises.
• Workout in the off-season, but take two to three SOLID months off from throwing every year to let your arm rest and recuperate. (This is a good time to play another sport. It'll allow you to stay in shape and to be competitive.)
• Throw off a mound between starts.
• Throw less breaking balls, which slow down the arm.
• Throw more fastballs/sinkers, which speed up the arm.
• Eat well, sleep well. (The sleep you get two nights before your outing is most important.)

What scouts look for in high school and college pitchers

It's summer, which means pro tryout camps are just getting underway. But not all pitchers are evaluated the same way. Baseball scouts will be looking for different things if they are observing a high school pitcher verses a college pitcher.

That's because a high school pitcher does not need to be as polished as a college pitcher.  The scout is looking for "potential," meaning, what he may have to offer 6 or 7 years down the road. A college pitcher does not have this luxury. His time is running out and he needs to be more polished.

If a scout is scouting a high school pitcher he is looking for some key things: desire, size, injury free, and, probably most of all, a live arm that can produce a 90 mph fastball for a right hander or 87 mph for a left-hander.

Desire is important because he will be away from his family and friends, most likely for the first time. Organizations do not want to spend a lot of time and money on a player who will not have the mental toughness to make it to the next level. Size matters because bigger pitchers usually have more stamina, more power, and is less injury prone -- according to the decisionmakers in most baseball organizations. Injury free, because this will be a high risk pick. Moreover, a live explosive arm, it is harder to teach a good fastball than it is for breaking balls.

A college pitcher needs to be more polished for a scout to consider.  A college pitcher must have all what the high school pitcher has plus a few other intangibles.  Like control in and out, not just for strikes.  Also, movement on the fastball and a good out pitch.  Meaning a pitch that can be devastating.  A change, splitter, slider, whatever.  A pitch that is especially hard to hit on 0-2 or 1-2 counts.

What scouts look for:

High school pitching

1. Desire    
2. 6'2" or better                   
3. 90 mph fastball (87 mph for a lefty)
4. Smooth delivery
5. Injury free
6. Ability to throw strikes 

College pitching

1. All what a high school pitcher possess plus...
2. Mental toughness
3. Movement on fastball
4. Good 2 strike breaking ball or change
5. Better control, ability to move the ball in and out
6. Ability to throw breaking balls for strikes behind in the count

Do you have what it takes to go pro?

How pitchers should field their position

This article was written by Bob Byrd of Baseball Excellence and first appeared in his newsletter, "Tip of the Week."

Pitchers must become proficient at fielding their position. PITCHER'S FIELDING PRACTICE is a very important part of pre-season practice. These are easy, routine plays but it is vital that the pitchers get to the point where it is second nature to them and they make no mistakes.    

• Covering first base on all ground balls hit to the right side of the infield. Don’t forget it is the catcher’s responsibility to call out loud and clear, “Get over there!”
• Comebackers with no one on base. He must field the ball, get a four-seam grip, set his feet and throw a strike to the first baseman. Mistakes here are made because the pitcher throws flatfooted or rushes the throw. As Roy Campanella once said, “You know your can’t outrun that ball.” Take your time.
• Comebackers with a runner on first base or first and second. This is an easy 1-6-3 double play and it should be made every time. Coaches should demand perfection on this play in practice. Mistakes to look for are not closing off the glove-side shoulder to second base, not moving the feet or hurrying the throw (usually resulting in throwing from a low arm slot and the ball sails). Also the pitcher must have in his mind where he will throw the ball with runners on first and second. He should not try for the lead runner here. He should throw to the SS to begin the double play. Do not even practice throwing to third. Even if you are successful you probably won’t be able to get the DP.
• Bases-loaded comebackers. The ball should immediately be thrown, chest high over the plate to the catcher to start the double play. Mistakes here are usually mental. The pitcher didn’t run the scenario in his mind before the pitch.
• Bunted balls. These are usually routine and are dependent on the pitcher’s athleticism, technique and mechanics. (Does he have solid mechanics in that he is facing the catcher after ball release? If he falls off one side of the mound or the other he will not be able to field all bunted balls. The opposing team will easily recognize that and you can be assured they will bunt on your pitcher.) After a pitch to the catcher the coach, in the batter's box may underhand a ball on the infield for the pitcher to field. Tossing balls for bunts is more accurate than hitting fungoes.

Line your pitchers behind the mound and have them take multiple turns for each play. They may simulate a pitch to the catcher if it is a rest day or they may throw fastballs to the catcher, working on accuracy.

PFP should be a high-speed, intense drill with coaches teaching and correcting at every turn. Successful PFP will pay many dividends during the season.

Mental toughness tips for pitchers

Mental toughness is a must for a successful Pitcher. Short and to the point, probably the most important things to ever learn in pitching is this:    

• Throw strikes
• Change speeds
• Work fast

Throw strikes: Easy enough, but so effective! Throwing strikes keeps you on the attack and at an advantage to the hitter. You dictate what to throw.  Statistically hitters have a considerable disadvantage when behind in the count.

Change speeds: This keeps hitters off balance.  They cannot get into a rhythm of what is coming.  Slower stuff will also make your fastball appear faster!

Work fast: At first I figured this was not important, but surprisingly it is.  This keeps you in rhythm, as well as keeping your fielders in rhythm.  You will be able to get a better feel and therefore get better control of all your pitches.  Once in a while you need to slow down, but only when the momentum has turned into the hitters side.  But keeping up a quick pace will get you and your fielders into a good flow to pitch.

How to warm up to pitch in 30 minutes or less

A sample starting pitcher's 30-minute warm up

Begin with five minutes of jogging or two laps around the baseball diamond and stretch for 10 minutes. Then go to the bullpen and begin throwing pitches at half speed to a catcher who will be squatting halfway between the mound and home. After every 10 pitches, the catcher should move back 10 feet. Repeat twice so that when the catcher reaches the plate, you will have thrown 30 pitches. Next, begin pitching by throwing 15 fastballs. Then throw 20 pitches, alternating fastballs and change ups (high school players may throw curve balls). Do not throw too many of the same pitch -- a change up, for instance -- in a row, just as you would in a game. Remember to mix up your pitches.

Struggle in the first inning?

Throw your first inning in the bullpen first, and your second inning of pitching will be your first in the game. Have a teammate stand in the bullpen batter's box to simulate game conditions.

Are you a relief pitcher?

Make sure you and your coach have an understanding that he will tell you at least one inning in advance of when you will be used. This will give you a chance to warm up in the bullpen on a "quick throw" basis while your team is batting. This involves throwing twice as quickly, to get the blood pumping faster and get the body warmed up quicker. This is especially important if the pitcher has been sitting on then bench for much of the game.

Pitching mechanics: How to transfer your weight more explosively

Here's an excellent example of a pitcher leading with his hip as he expands sideways away from the rubber toward home plate. This of course is Roger Clemens. It's no secret why he throws as hard as he does: He transitions his weight correctly by leading with his hip, which enables him to utilize his strong lower half to transfer energy to his upper half. Notice, too, how he's striding forward with the side of his front foot closed? It will open to a position in which his toes face the catcher when he lands.

Does your stride look like this?

How pitchers can prevent tired or stale arms

Today's guest post is by Marty Schupak, a youth coach with a master's degree in physical education from Arizona State University.

At one time or another, a pitcher can have a tired or stale arm. This can happen on the youth level just as it happens on the professional level. In youth baseball, pitchers are even more susceptible, especially during All-Star time, if pitching rules are relaxed and pitchers are able to pitch more innings.

There are a number of things a manager and parents can do during the season as not to burn out or even possibly injure a pitcher's arm.

Loosening up is very important before a pitcher throws one pitch. The expression; "warm up to pitch, don't pitch to warm up" is very relevant. When the great relief pitcher for the New York Yankees, Mariano Rivera, is called on to pitch, he goes through a stretching and loosening up routine for 5 or 10 minutes before he even picks up a ball.

During the regular season, managers, coaches and even parents should pay more attention to a player's pitch count rather than the number of innings pitched. Every player is different, but the manager should use some sought of guideline to determine how many pitches are enough for a particular player.

A few years ago the American Sports Medicine Institute did a study sending surveys to orthopedic surgeons and coaches around the country. They recommended for 11 to 12 year old pitchers a maximum of 68 pitches with two days recovery. This might seem very conservative. The study also stated that conditioning of the arm and entire body can reduce injury.

Another issue facing the youth baseball pitcher is duel leagues or playing for his school and an outside league. It is always a good idea for the manager to make contact with the school coach. Let him know that you understand that the school team is the priority and that you want to be aware of how much the player is pitching. Responsible school coaches should be able to give you the amount of innings and pitch count for a player through out the season.

Baseball seasons are increasing in length at the youth league level. The combination of All-Star games and the ever-popular autumn baseball season increase potential harm to a pitcher's arms. Loosening up and stretching are a must. It is up to the manager, coaches and parents to look out for the long term interest in their player, rather than over pitching him to win one particular game.

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