How to Throw a Baseball Faster and Harder
Throwing a baseball harder and faster is every pitcher’s dream. Here’s a guide on how to do it.
Introduction
Although blowing smoke up someone’s you-know-what is an art form, learning how to throw a baseball faster and harder is actually not that difficult. Here are some tips on how to do it.
In order to throw a baseball faster, you need to increase the speed at which you release the ball. This can be done by increasing the speed of your arm swing and/or by shortening the time between when your hand comes off the ball and when it hits the target. Both of these can be accomplished by practicing with a heavier ball.
Increasing the speed of your arm swing will also increase the speed at which you release the ball. To do this, start by holding the ball in your gloved hand and then swinging your arm in a circular motion. As you gain momentum, start to straighten your arm out and then snap it back in as you release the ball. The more practice you get, the easier it will be to generate more power and throw the ball faster.
Shortening the time between when your hand comes off the ball and when it hits the target will also help you throw the ball faster. To do this, start by holding the ball in your gloved hand and then quickly bring your hand up to your ear as if you were going to throw a fastball. As you bring your hand up, start to rotate your shoulder and hip so that your body starts winding up like a spring. When you’re ready to release the ball, quickly unwind your body and snap your wrist forward as you release the ball. The quicker you can do this, the faster you’ll be able to throw the ball.
Another way to increase how fast you can throw a baseball is by using a two-seam grip instead of a four-seam grip. When using a four-seam grip, your index finger and middle finger are placed across two of the seams on the baseball (hence the name). This grip gives you more control over where you want to placethe baseball, but it doesn’t allow for as much speed because there’s more surface area for friction between your fingers andthe baseball.
A two-seam grip is similar except that only one ofyour fingers is placed across one ofthe seams (again, hence thename). This allows for less control over whereyou place the baseball but more speed because there’s less frictionbetween your fingers and the baseball .
The Grip
There are many different ways to grip a baseball, but the two most common are the four-seam fastball grip and the two-seam fastball grip. The four-seam grip is generally used when you want to throw a ball with more velocity and less movement. The two-seam fastball is grips is used when you want to add movement to your pitches.
To throw a four-seam fastball, place your index and middle fingers along the narrow seams of the ball. Your thumb should be placed on the bottom of the ball, opposite of your middle finger. If you’re right handed, then your index finger will be on top of the baseball seam while your middle finger will be on bottom of the baseball seam.
Grip the ball tightly but don’t squeeze it too hard. You want a firm grip but you don’t want to grip it so tightly that your hand hurts or that your fingers start to cramp up.
To throw a two-seam fastball, place your index and middle fingers along the wide seams of the ball with your thumb placed on the bottom of the ball opposite of your middle finger. This pitch will have more movement than a four seam fastball because as you release the ball, your fingers will cause it to spin differently than if you were throwing a four seam fastball.
The Stance
If you want to throw a baseball harder, you have to start with the right stance. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, and your weight should be evenly distributed on the balls of both feet. You should be facing the target, with your shoulders square to the target. Bend your knees slightly so that you’re in a comfortable, athletic stance.
The Windup
The windup is the first part of the pitching motion. From the windup, the pitcher can throw to any base. The goal of the windup is to generate maximum power and torque as the pitcher transfers weight from the back foot to the front foot while turning his hips and shoulders.
To start the windup, bring your stride leg (right leg for right-handers, left leg for left-handers) up so that your knee is pointing at the catcher and your heel is off the ground. While keeping your head focused on home plate, rotate your hips and shoulders toward first base, cocking your throwing arm behind your ear as you do so. As you begin to bring your stride foot down, push off with your back foot while still keeping your head down and eyes focused on home plate. As you come to the balance point in your delivery, transfer your weight from your back foot to front foot while simultaneously tightening your abdominal muscles and glutes (buttocks). This will put you in position to drive forward toward home plate as you release the ball.
The Release
The Release is the last phase of the throwing motion and perhaps the most critical in terms of success and injury prevention. The pitcher should aim to release the ball at the top of the delivery, when the arm is fully extended, with the wrist in line with the forearm. This will ensure that all of the energy generated during the motion is transferred to the ball.
If the pitcher releases the ball too early, they will lose velocity and control. If they release it too late, they put unnecessary stress on the elbow and shoulder, which can lead to injury.
