How to Throw a Breaking Ball in Baseball

Learn how to throw a breaking ball in baseball with these simple tips and improve your game.

Introduction

A breaking ball is a type of pitches in baseball that does not travel straight as a fastball does. A breaking ball is a pitch that “breaks” or drops as it approaches the hitter. There are two types of breaking balls: the slider and the curveball.

The slider is a fast pitch that breaks later than a curveball and is more difficult to hit because it moves closer to the fastball’s speed. The curveball is a slower pitch that breaks earlier than a fastball and is easier to hit because it created greater contrast between speeds.

To throw a breaking ball, grip the ball with your index and middle finger on top of the seam (for a right-handed pitcher) or underneath the seam (for a left-handed pitcher). your thumb should be underneath the ball, resting on the seam opposite your index finger (for a right-handed pitcher) or index and middle finger (for left-handed pitcher). As you throw the ball, snap your wrist down and toward the target at release.

What is a Breaking Ball?

A breaking ball is a type of pitch in baseball that doesn’t travel in a straight line. Instead, it “breaks” or curves as it reaches the batter. Breaking balls are thrown with spin and are classified according to the way the ball breaks. There are two main types of breaking balls: curves and sliders.

Curves
A curveball is a type of pitch that breaks down and away from a right-handed batter (and up and in to a lefty). It’s thrown with spin that causes the baseball to rotate tightly as it moves through the air. The result is a pitch that appears to drop off the table as it approaches the plate.

Sliders
A slider is a type of pitch that breaks down and away from a right-handed batter (and up and in to a lefty). It’s thrown with spin that causes the baseball to rotate loosely as it moves through the air. The result is a pitch that doesn’t have the sharp break of a curveball but still appears to “slide” or “slip” as it approaches the plate.

The Grip

A breaking ball is a type of pitch in baseball that does not travel straight. A breaking ball is thrown with spin, which causes the ball to break or change directions as it approaches the batter. Breaking balls are typically slower than fastball pitches, making them more difficult for batters to hit.

There are two main types of breaking balls: the curveball and the slider. Curveballs have more spin and break more sharply than sliders, while sliders break less sharply but are more difficult for hitters to identify.

Throwing a breaking ball starts with the grip. For a right-handed pitcher, the grip for a curveball is different than the grip for a slider.

To throw a curveball, place your index finger and middle finger on opposite seams of the baseball, with your middle finger extended further towards the bottom of the ball. Your thumb should be on the same seam as your index finger. Apply pressure to the baseball with your fingers and release it when your arm is at full extension.

To throw a slider, place your index finger and middle finger on adjacent seams of the baseball, with your middle finger extended further towards the bottom of the ball. Your thumb should be on the same seam as your index finger. Apply pressure to the baseball with your fingers and release it when your arm is at full extension.

The Release

There are two main types of breaking balls: the curveball and the slider. The curveball is slower and has more of a sweeping motion, while the slider is faster and breaks more abruptly.

To throw a breaking ball, you need to start with the right grip. For a curveball, hold the ball with your index finger and your middle finger on top of the seams, and your thumb underneath. For a slider, hold the ball off-center, with your index finger and your middle finger on one seam and your thumb on the other.

As you release the ball, apply pressure with your index finger to spin the ball clockwise for a curveball, or counterclockwise for a slider. The tighter you grip the ball, the more spin you’ll generate.

With both pitches, you want to have a low arm angle — around three-quarters — so that the ball stays on plane longer. As you release the ball, snap your wrist to add velocity.

Follow through toward the target, keeping your arm relaxed so that you don’t put too much strain on your elbow or shoulder.

The Follow Through

After you have released the ball, it is important to follow through with your pitching arm. This will ensure that you have thrown the ball correctly and with the most power possible. To follow through, simply keep your pitching arm moving in the direction of the target after you have released the ball.

Tips for Throwing a Breaking Ball

As a pitcher, you always want to keep your opponent guessing. Throwing a variety of pitches will do just that. A breaking ball is a type of pitch that can be very effective, but can also be difficult to control. Here are some tips to help you throw a breaking ball with more control.

1. Pick the right grip. Each type of breaking ball has a different grip. Make sure you know which grip to use for the type of pitch you want to throw.
2. Use the proper arm motion. Again, this will vary depending on the type of breaking ball you’re throwing. But in general, you want to snap your wrist as you release the ball and follow through with your arm motion.
3. Put spin on the ball. This is what makes a breaking ball “break,” or change direction as it approaches the batter. The more spin you can put on the ball, the more movement it will have.
4. Release the ball at the right time. This is probably the most important tip for throwing a breaking ball with more control. If you release the ball too early, it will not have enough time to spin and might not break at all. If you release it too late, it will not have enough spin and might end up in the dirt or outside of the strike zone altogether. The key is to find that sweet spot in between where you can still get good spin on the ball without sacrificing control
5

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Now you know how to throw a breaking ball in baseball. With a little practice, you’ll be able to throw this pitch with precision and confidence. Remember to keep your grip loose and your arm angle consistent, and you’ll be sure to impress your coaches and teammates.