Breaking Pitches.

Question
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Followup To
Question - Congratulations to your team and your son. My email address is [email protected]. I also could use some advice on changups. I am having a hard time controling my circle changeup, and I need help on changeups period. Thanks!
Hello! Don't worry, I'm 14 and have been attempting breaking pitches for awhile. I need to know how to throw a good slider. Also, I need some more info on curveballs. Mine drop, but they also tend to hang a little bit and I usually don't throw it for strikes. Also, I need information on a slurve. It doesn't seem very popular, but I would like to try it out. Thank You very much, and GO YANKEES! lol
         -Adam
Answer -
Adam,

Thanks for the question.  It is obviously very important to learn to throw a breaking ball properly.  There is no magic for me to give you in regards to throwing a good slider.  It can be a difficult pitch to learn how to throw well.  It can also ruin your arm if you don't know how to do it.  That is why I cannot provide that information through words.  I would have to show you how to throw it.

If you are serious about becoming a top notch pitcher, you are going to need top notch instruction.  I have 4 out of 6 pitchers on my team that throw curveballs and they all do a good job because they have been taught properly.  I have only 1 pitcher on my team, my son, who can throw a slider.  He can throw it because his mechanics are as close to flawless as they get and he throws it right.

You need to seek a good, professional pitching coach who can ensure that you are throwing the ball with the correct mechanics.  You need to have control of your fastballs, 4-seam and 2-seam, then learn to throw a changeup, then the curve.  Another great option is a sinker. The sinking fastball, when thrown properly, can be devastating.  

I would be happy to provide you with some information regarding how we throw our bullpen sessions to gain control of our pitches.  Provide me your email address and I will send it to you.  My email address is [email protected].

As for your curveball, if it hangs, you are most likely not staying over the top of the ball and you are not finishing the pitch.  If you are not staying over the top, you are likely going to hurt your elbow or forearm.  This is why you need to seek some good coaching.  Even if just for a few sessions. It will go a long way.

The normal progression will be to perfect the curve, then you can move to a hard curve, or slider.

I know this wasn't what you wanted to hear, but I want to make sure that you don't hurt yourself, and that you learn it correctly.  Learn it right now and over the next few years of high school, you will be unstoppable.

Also, you have to work at it.  My son is 13 and plays at the 14 year old level.  Over our fall season he has pitched 30 innings against very good competition here in Texas.  He now has 48 strikeouts in those 30 innings throwing 4-seam and 2-seam fastball (low 70's), slow curve and hard biting slider. He learned the mechanics at 9 years old. He has excellent control.  We throw and work out 4-5 days a week, every week.

You have to work out, get stronger, more flexible, more stamina, properly care for your arm, and practice, practice, practice.

Find a coach to work with and let me know how it goes.

Play Ball!
Coach Boss

Answer
Adam,

Thanks for the kind words.  Normally, if you are having a problem with the changeup, it is because you are really snapping it out of your hand with your fingers.  My son has the same problem so we have abandoned it for now.  We will begin working again after Fall season is over.

It is a very important pitch.  A good one will be about 10mph or so slower than the fastball and it will drop as it gets to the plate.  I will attach some information and pictures of a good changeup grip. You have to play with it and try different grips and releases until you get it down.  When you just play catch, throw with all your different grips and work on the changeup grip as well. It will take several hundred throws to get comfortable with the grip, then you can take it into pitching practice.  

I have the information I am going to send you at my office so I will send it to you on Monday.  

Keep up the work!

Coach Boss