Pitching Techniques: What is a curveball? How does it get its movement?

Welcome to Baseball Basics

Welcome to our series "Baseball Basics," where we explore different techniques, positions, and strategies in baseball! Whether you're new to the sport or looking to deepen your knowledge, this series will break down complex concepts into simple explanations. Today, we're diving into one of baseball's most fascinating pitches: the curveball.

What is a Curveball?

A curveball is a type of pitch thrown by a pitcher that moves differently than a regular fastball. While a fastball travels in a mostly straight line, a curveball appears to "break" or curve downward as it approaches the batter. This unexpected movement makes it difficult for batters to hit the ball.

Imagine you're playing catch with a friend. If you throw the ball normally, it travels in a straight line. But a curveball is like a magic trick - the ball seems to drop suddenly just as the batter is about to swing!

How Does a Curveball Work?

The secret behind a curveball's movement is something called "spin." When a pitcher throws a curveball, they grip the ball in a special way and snap their wrist when releasing it. This creates spin on the ball.

Here's why spin matters:

1. Air Pressure: As the spinning ball moves through the air, it creates different air pressures on different sides of the ball.
2. Magnus Effect: This difference in air pressure (called the Magnus Effect) pushes the ball in the direction of the lower pressure side.
3. Gravity: Combined with gravity pulling the ball down, this creates that dramatic dropping motion.

Think of it like this: if you've ever seen a basketball player put spin on the ball to make it bounce back to them off the backboard, that's a similar idea!

How to Throw a Curveball

Pitchers hold a curveball differently than other pitches:

1. The ball is held with the middle and index fingers placed close together across the seams.
2. The thumb is placed directly underneath.
3. When throwing, the pitcher snaps their wrist and pulls down on the front of the ball, almost like they're pulling a window shade down.

Famous Curveball Pitchers

Many pitchers throughout baseball history have become known for their excellent curveballs.

Clayton Kershaw, a pitcher who has played many seasons in Los Angeles, has one of the most effective curveballs in recent baseball history. His curveball drops so much that announcers sometimes call it "Public Enemy No. 1" because it's so tough for batters to hit.

Sandy Koufax, who pitched in the 1950s and 1960s, had a curveball that seemed to fall off a table. Batters would be ready to swing at what looked like a strike, only to have the ball drop below their bat at the last second.

A Curveball in Action

Imagine you're 12-year-old Marco, stepping up to bat in an important Little League game. The pitcher on the other team, Jessie, is known for having a good curveball. As Jessie winds up and releases the ball, Marco sees it coming straight toward the middle of the plate. "Perfect pitch to hit!" he thinks. But just as he swings, the ball suddenly drops, and Marco's bat swishes through empty air. Strike one! That's the power of a well-thrown curveball.

Learning to Hit a Curveball

For young batters, learning to hit a curveball takes practice and patience. Coaches often tell players to "stay back" on curveballs, which means waiting a little longer before starting their swing. This gives them time to see the ball's movement and adjust.

Remember, baseball is as much about mental skills as physical ones. The more curveballs you see, the better you'll get at recognizing them early!