How To Pitch The Slider - Slow Pitch Softball Pitching School

[@DavidGarcia-by7sy]

You have made me a better pitcher overnight thank you for what you do

[@mrr1013]

I mastered this pitch all thanks to you and this video. I get compliments at the end of the game by the opposing team and umps. I like seeing the batter look confused when they see it slide in for the strike 😅

[@philipwelsh8413]

These are a great series. Can now pitch a screwball, backspin and a knuckle ball and accuracy and placement is beginning to improve with them. Note well the part about shoulder pain and this pitch though. I was trying to pronate at the end of the pitch and managed to cause myself a biceps tendinitis as I did not back off. The pitch moved but now I’m resting my shoulder for a couple of weeks

[@eddiewatson554]

that movement is crazy ! Years of perfecting before our eyes.

[@Traveler1965]

Is it possible you can show some regular speed video of your pitches. I still like to watch how you pitch in real time and watch your release

[@patrickbishop9254]

Weeknight Ace, THANK YOU for creating this Channel. There's 1000's of batting mechanics channels, but slim to none to benefit us pitchers. Its nice to see and share how others are mastering their craft. I came across your channel yesterday, and the video above, is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I lost the feel for my forward spin slider/cutter/curveball, so it's refreshing to try and leverage it via backspin. Keep up the good work!

[@utah32804]

Thanks, Patrick, I hope this channel can be helpful to you. Good Luck!

[@WillyDial]

don't give up on your forehand slider patrick... having both kinds of slider would be better than one... i have a great forehand slider and even i'm trying to figure these out...

[@patrickbishop9254]

@@WillyDial I used to throw it with a circle-change grip, lock my wrist and let the natural angle/rotation curve the ball on the 2-7 axis. There'd be days this would be great, and others where it did nothing (probably due to my rotational angle/wind/pressure). Over time, I tried adapting it by rotating my wrist, like turning a door knob, to get a higher spin rate, but in turn, must have changed the rotation to 3-9 and I don't get hardly any curve... I still throw it because I'm a believer of creating different angles for the batter to see. Since I'm left handed, when throwing the forehand slider, I put my right foot on the far left edge of the pitching rubber, and then either try and curve the ball from left handed batters box to outside corner, OR throw it completely in on a right handers hands. Since the natural curve is hit or miss, at least the ball is coming in at a different angle. What grip works for your forehand slider?

[@WillyDial]

@@patrickbishop9254 ... here's a short video that shows how i make my bullseye ball and how i grip it and deliver it... i also have a facebook page you can check out if you want more info on how i do it... kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJDLe5Wfh86fbdE

[@WillyDial]

@@patrickbishop9254... here's my facebook page... i hope weeknight ace doesn't have a problem with me posting this... if you do... i won't be hurt if you delete it... facebook.com/groups/978908542209319/

[@arturomorales7089]

thanks, I have beem playin baseball and softball for more than 10 years, but this year I'm starting a slow pitching team in norther Utah and I have to couch that team. that's a great tutorial, Thanks

[@anthonydiaz9965]

My name is Anthony , I asked earlier about getting my ball to break in on left handlers earlier. I am left handed, and this video really answers some of the questions I had on the release. We are just about to wrap up both our co-ed and men slow pitch seasons and although the results did not show up in the win column I felt overall I pitched well enough to win more games . As you know it is a team game and my defense was not able to make the outs at times., for example dropped fly balls and ground balls to the infielders that were not made. Although frustrating, I was able to put the ball in the spots that I wanted to. You mentioned when to throw the slider. You are right I use it a lot , as a matter of fact I like to start each at bat with it. The right handed batters tend to take it more, especially when I am to start my release outside the strike zone and I am able to get to break on the outside corner. At that point I fell I am in control and I will either move slightly in and throw inside on the right hand batters , or I will throw it again on the outside corner but not as well placed. But close enough to induce a defensive swing which results in weakly hit ball or strikeouts, or I will throw a knuckle ball as well. I will use the same approach with lefties, even the lefties who like to crowd the plate. I have been working on my knuckle ball and knuckle curve in the game as well as a change of pace. I have received a ton of compliments on my pitching from every team nonethelss and the umpires as well. I have been fortunate to have the same ups for the both leagues so they are familiar with my pitching and my approach, and you are right I have fooled the umps at times with some of the pitches. Sorry for the long comment ,Just wanted to say this is the best video yet and when the seasons ends I will back working on my pitching for the next season. Keep em coming!!!!

[@patrickbishop9254]

Hi Anthony, I too am left-handed, and might be able to give some insight. If you're looking to break the ball IN on a LEFT handed batter, you might find WeekNight Ace's Screwball tutorial. For me, throwing the screwball, I hold the ball with my middle finger placed against the left seam (where the seams are at it's narrowest (2-seam with seams not across ex: over top of the balls Label "Evil Sports/Tattoo/Dudley"), index finger splitting between the seams (no real pressure, just used to support the ball, and then my ring and pinky fingers along the side of the ball. I don't even put my thumb on ball at all. I release the ball with backspin, where my middle finger would be pointing toward 10 o'clock, to generate the side spin as this video describes. This higher the arc and backspin, the more movement you'll get. The more backspin you give it, the later the break and dive the ball takes (especially if you plan on throwing it short). In addition of throwing the screwball and slider, I would also recommend moving to the far left or far right of the pitching rubber to generate different angles. When I face a LEFT handed batter, I first check and see where they are in the batters box. If they are off the plate, I may move to the far right of the rubber, throw to the right handers batters box, and drop the scewball over the outside of the plate. They will typically take it as it looks like a ball, or will end cap/roll over the ball. If they're crowding the plate, I'll start from the far left of the rubber, throw the ball toward the inner-middle of the plate, and have the ball cut in on their hands or at their feet. This will force them to have weaker contact, pull the ball foul, or roll over a ball to 1b or 2b.

[@anthonydiaz9965]

Patrick, could you send a picture of your hand placement?

[@patrickbishop9254]

photos.app.goo.gl/4C6AeRFDV7qmA2QQ9

[@patrickbishop9254]

If you happen to place electrical tape over the ball, you should see the black line axis at 10 to 4. You can either snap your wrist, or keep your wrist locked, but as long as you're getting the ball spinning on the proper axis, it will break. If you are getting the proper spin, but not seeing the expected result, I'd encourage you try test throwing it to a different base/direction. There's some days where I'll be pitching on one field and having a break where I can start it at the batter and still have it cut across the plate, then change to a different field, pitching in a different direction, and I get little movement due to wind or air pressure.

[@detsportsfan18]

Much appreciated, as always! Glad to be able to see the grip from your perspective, rather than simply viewing the back of the ball while it's in grip.

[@shepardfamily8278]

Where’d you go? These videos are the best!

[@ashleypickle1328]

Thank you so much for this whole series. I’m still a beginner but I’m so appreciative. I currently only have a forward pitch. Working on the back spin. But I saw that I should just work on the slider.

[@gpcass1212]

We went from losing by 20+ twice to almost beating the best team in the league after I watched these

[@Hometownsqaures]

Almost doesn’t count

[@jeremyhernandez-e2w]

Keep perfecting your craft You can do it

[@nickmack6029]

Thank you for the videos ....these have helped me become the pitcher I am today!

[@nickb2912]

I play slow pitch softball in special olympics and I'd love to learn this pitch. I actually faced this pitch as a batter playing in a regular co-ed league and when the ball was pitched to me it looked like it was going to hit me but it actually hit home plate. I actually saw the curve and was shocked by the pitch

[@jvandeEi1]

Great information, I have been trying to add a third pitch to my routine. I will start working on this immediately.

[@1978mcduff]

Great videos series! I did a little check to see if there were pitching videos as our pitcher could use the tips. I pitched for years and my movement came from a spin l would liken to spinning a top, essentially my grip was 3 fingers (ring finger and thumb together as one, index and middle separate ) under the ball like an inverted tripod or like a football tee, l would have the narrower laces on my fingers. It could go in either direction as l would only have to flick it left or right. The rest of my success came from being able to hit a spot front or back and not putting many down the middle. It’s made me great at washer toss all these years later! One tip l have is if you have a guy with 2 strikes, moreso if they were foul balls, have your guys ready on his natural side and throw him one inside that’s close enough to a strike that he’ll swing, usually with much less power as to put it in play. High success rate imo. Keep up the good work! Maybe you could do some situational videos now that people use the shift for example.

[@utah32804]

Thanks for the comments! Good points.

[@nxlimit2069]

Still taken these notes down for my pitchers on my team

[@marcelomastrascusa8225]

Thanks for the vídeo, I want to see the same explanation for people that throws palm pointing to the batters as my case.

[@johnh.galloway7648]

Thanks for all your☺great tips. With more than 10 years Senior Softball under my belt pitching is still very new. Last week we won in my first complete game, beating the team 2nd in the standings of nine team. Practice has paid off!

[@ricorengue]

Just sent it to my team pitcher thanks awesome video

[@tylerdulak9030]

I pitch mine underhand and I use a similar grip in that I have the seams angled as I release it. But, I can get mine to start at the batter and end up a few inches outside, sometimes more. I find throwing a backhand pitch difficult to control, plus I can screw around more on the mound pre-pitch with a normal underhand motion. Good video tho, one of the better quality slowpitch pitching videos I've seen.

[@jimpeterson3806]

This is what I do as well. Step to the side, step normal and stand still while throwing. All depending on the wind, I can get quite a bit of break. Easier on the shoulder and wrist as well

[@michaeldennis9156]

When your throwing the slider, the release point of the ball would be towards the glove side and then on screwball to the pitch g hand side?

[@trickyriffy]

Great video and explanation. Thanks for the slow motion clips as well. 😃

[@melj2841]

This is great content!! So glad I found it. Cant wait to try these out on my teammates

[@jcgraciani6376]

Weeknight Ace. Thank you for your knowledge. I'm starting to make a name for myself in various leagues. With all my leagues combined, i already have 25 Ks this season. I'm really trying to get my slider to break more and wanted to know what I'm doing wrong? Any advice?

[@siggy8426]

Wow - what fantastic instructional videos covering everything you need to know. I’m a brand new pitcher and threw primarily the backspin through my first game after about 200 total pitches for practice. Worked great and run production was way down. I’m scheduled to pitch again and have thrown about 150 balls per day since then. I dont feel comfortable with my control on breaking pitches. Should I use them or practice more first?

[@bscook3524]

Use them especially when you get ahead on the count

[@williamriggle6040]

Just now found this channel. Great info. But please explain the spin mechanics to your slider. With your wrist twisted towards 1st base, it seems like you are rotating your wrist back towards homeplate when you release which implies a curve to the right.

[@shannonprince4788]

I love all of your videos. This is my 1st year playing softball. I played rightfield and our pitcher went down and they needed one so I stepped in. The 1st game I pitched was horrible I walked like 12 people. After getting that spanking I went home and searched search some videos on KZbin and After a week of watching all of your videos I was ready to put your Your techniques to work. Not only did they work I am one of the best pictures in my league. I would love to send you some videos so you can break it down and let me know my BS. Omg thanx my guy And looking forward to the next video.

[@anthonydiaz9965]

Patrick, thanks for the pictures. I will give a try this.

[@EdwinRodriguez-bv1wn]

Just came across your pitching video am starting to pitch again I m wondering if these pitches work with clinchers.

[@kylepeterson1677]

Anyway to utilize these pitches without having the top part of your hand on top and having your palm up?

[@utah32804]

Kyle, I don't pitch a palm up breaking pitch but willy dial pitches a very good, palm up breaker. Check out his channel here: kzbin.info/door/MFwASNj3SWtdBsVpNmvX7g

[@WillyDial]

in fact... i have a facebook page that explains my forehand slider better than my u-tube page... here's the link... it's an open page so anyone can read it... facebook.com/groups/978908542209319/

[@Davian_James]

This is a great video! But I cant wait for the screwball video.

[@utah32804]

Thanks, Davian. Be sure to subscribe. "How To Throw The Screwball" will be released this Tuesday.

[@MrFerbz06]

Very useful and understanding video for pitchers. Does it work the same for fast pitch pitchers but from and upside down perspective?? Thank you!

[@utah32804]

Ferny, If you mean "overhand" pitching when you say "fast pitch", then yes. It is the same principle upside down.

[@kevinalbarano1821]

What's your grip for the screwball for slow pitch softball

[@bubbabooeyboy]

Thank you! Thank you Thank You! This is what I asked for earlier this year. Step by step. Can't wait for the next video.

[@ajharris274]

If you look at the ball as a clock with 12 O'clock being parallel to the direction your throwing how much angle of "spin" are you putting on this? Is it the same angle (just mirrored) for the screwball as well?

[@dankelly1426]

Just came across your videos. Well done and for the time being, I'll have to stay in the OF. Loads of practice coming up. With the way the slider goes back behind your back and the screwball basically goes straight back, any way to disguise your wind up so the pitcher isn't tipping off the batter or teammates on the bases/coaching boxes? Could you bring your glove over in front of your pitching arm and move it back on the arm swing or would that mess up your balance?

[@utah32804]

That's a great question, Dan. I'm not too worried about the base coach tipping the pitch as it may be harder to detect from the angle, but the batter may see it. I'll have to video myself from the plate and see how it looks and how to hide it if it shows. Thanks!

[@opgamer9296]

Wait so when you pitch yoy have your palm facing down? Like not touching the ball

[@ianh1010]

As a righty learning all these pitches, this one is the hardest. The axis starts correct and then shifts back to the right, or wobbles. Can get the screwball to break, but not this yet. Anyone else struggling with the feel, or have some tips for what they are feeling when successful? Cheers aspiring pitchers!

[@caseysewid6436]

Does the type of ball matter for how much movement you can produce with a slider or screwball? Whether it be green to red dot hot hot dot gold or grey

[@davidoseytorres]

Awesome vid. Any info on modified pitching?...

[@rahoulrdhopade6367]

Fantastic content. Thanks as always Coach

[@WillyDial]

a tip to everyone who doesn't know it already... you can slow videos down to as slow as 25% if you want to see it better... just click on the wheel and playback speed... i see your arm goes behind you on your backswing... is this necessary or just how you do it? it doesn't look like you do it with the screwball so it could be the pronating causes it to relieve some pressure on the shoulder or something... i see a lot of pitchers short-arm their deliveries...i doubt that will work with these pitches... a full backswing seems to be a necessity...

[@utah32804]

Thanks for the playback tip Willy, didn't know that. My arm does go behind me with the slider because I begin the wrist/arm pronation early to eliminate shoulder rotation through the entire arc of the pitching motion. This is much easier on my shoulder and simplifies my delivery by reducing additional movement during the windup and delivery.

[@rabidcougar6465]

Why can't you throw the same pitch but with the palm up and imparting more spin on the ball, creating more air pressure on the top of the ball, thus causing it to drop faster? Good video, thanks

[@utah32804]

Pitching with your hand under the ball seriously limits ball rotation speed. You are describing a typical baseball breaking pitch, slider/curve with forward rotation. These pitches are thrown with the hand on top with the fingers breaking forward over the ball imparting a hard forward spin. This cannot be done with the same affect when the hand/fingers are under the ball. I know there are pitchers who have done this successfully but I've not been able to get the same hard spin and break with top spin as I have with back spin.

[@rabidcougar6465]

@@utah32804 I appreciate your response but I have to question your answer that with the hand on the top of the softball and imparting back spin could create more back spin than with the palm under the ball and creating more forward spin that would cause the ball to fall faster and perhaps more movement of the pitched ball.... I can't argue with your advice only to add that the one year I was pitching for my team, (years ago), the arthritic stiffness in my forefinger pitching with palm up was causing the ball to curve at least two feet from right to left............ The back spin pitch which you are advocating seems to be a long term development thru practice. While good, I think most rec softball players are just happy to throw a strike........... I'll continue to watch your videos and maybe try to transition to pitcher in my senior softball leagues...........Thank you

[@jordanchristeson2872]

I’ve been working on the slider for a few weeks (~1500 pitches) I’ve tried to follow this word for word, but the trajectory keeps traveling the same as a screwball. Bc the palms facing 3rd base, the natural realignment of my wrist as I release the ball sends it third base side of the plate everytime. The wrist pronation and release seems to overpower my emphases on the middle/little finger leading. Is the slider supposed to feel uncomfortable or unnatural to pitch compared to the others? That’s how it feels at this point

[@rahoulrdhopade6367]

Slider does feel unnatural when you first start throwing that pitch. What I find worked for me was not holding the ball right at the horse shoe but moving the grip like coach mentioned in the all grips video. Give it a try.

[@jordanchristeson2872]

Very grateful for the tip Rahoul!

[@LarryJohnson-tv5fx]

Weeknight ace I have the grip for the slider/curve but when I release with the backspin going toward glove side my ball breaks but it breaks the opposite way I’m right handed so my curve breaks outside in to a right handed batter and throwing the screwball it breaks inside out not sure what I’m doing wrong but the ball does have movement

[@utah32804]

Hi Larry, we may have a misunderstanding of terms here. Whether you're right-handed or left-handed, the slider/curve breaks to your glove side. The screwball breaks to your pitching arm side. So, if you are pitching with your right arm and the pitch breaks toward the 3rd base side, that is a screwball. If it breaks to the first base side, that is a slider or curve.

[@LarryJohnson-tv5fx]

Ok thank you for responding are you putting out any new material I have watched every video so far and I have improved tremendously

[@killeredsox3384]

Awesome video sir! For the last few weeks I discovered your videos and I've been out trying the pitches when I can. I've actually developed a really good screwball/2 seamer watching these videos. I do have 1 question. While trying to throw the backhanded slider, no matter what way I grip it or try to release it, I continue to get the 2 seam movement back into the righty instead of away to him. I've tried turning the wrist and everything. I was wondering if there's a good way to practice getting the right spin to where it doesn't come out that way with the backspin. (I can throw the slider with forward spin for now)

[@utah32804]

Good question! The backspin slider is probably the most difficult pitch to throw. The problem you are having is with maintaining the correct wrist pronation, from the windup, through the release. Correct wrist pronation throughout the full arc of the delivery was my most challenging problem when learning this pitch. The first couple of seasons of throwing the slider I could throw it well in practice, but in a game, it would straighten out and run straight. It drove me crazy. Here's what I did to fix it. Imagine holding a glass of water in your pitching hand straight out in front of you, now turn the glass upside down, so the glass is pointing straight to the ground. Your elbow and shoulder should feel uncomfortable. This is the release position you should visualize. Keep the back of your hand against your thigh as you deliver the pitch toward the plate, and as you release the ball, flip your wrist toward your glove hand side with the little finger side of your hand pointing straight up and your thumb straight down, palm away. This is an extreme exercise, but it helped me develop the correct "feel" for the release. Throw the ball a short distance for now. Once you get accustomed to this motion, begin to throw a longer distance gradually. It's as if you are throwing the ball with your hand upside down. Be patient, go easy. The inside of your shoulder can get irritated as you are throwing with an unnatural motion.

[@kapytan66]

I am struggling to get the spin right I have not idea what I'm doing wrong

[@TeamBazz]

I’m very good at the backhand screwball, but for the life of me I can’t get my spin correct on the slider. Is it just a matter of drilling more? Should I start by throwing shorter distance in an attempt to get the correct spin? My issue is that my natural release is the other direction.

[@rahoulrdhopade6367]

Slider does feel unnatural when you first start throwing that pitch, its same for my my natural release works for screwball. What I find worked for me was not holding the ball right at the horseshoe but moving the grip like coach mentioned in all grips video. Give it a try.

[@TeamBazz]

@@rahoulrdhopade6367 appreciate it. I’ll keep working on it, but for now I get way more movement throwing an underhand slider and backhand screwball. It would be nice to have the same look through.

[@rahoulrdhopade6367]

@@TeamBazz underhand slider also sounds tempting. You have any instructions how you pitch that one?

[@TeamBazz]

@@rahoulrdhopade6367 regular grip with right index finger on the 2 seam. Just throw with a sweeping motion, rotating your hand to where it is upside down after the release. Mine just naturally moves right to left.

[@erikshelland3050]

Do you tend to eat more middle shots with that pitch?

[@utah32804]

Erik, shots up the middle are more the result of where the ball passes through the hitting zone, not the break. If you're getting hit up the middle, it is because your pitches are middle-away. I get the best results when I pitch inside with any pitch or a pitch away, breaking away. Good Luck!

[@WillyDial]

my advice... be ready on every pitch... you never know which one is gonna come back at you... but your point is valid simply because if you pitch inside and make a mistake, it's either going to be way inside or on the outside part of the plate... when you're learning movement pitches... those mistakes will be more common... when i was younger, it didn't matter because i won those battles 99/100 but the past 15 years playing in a box has turned me into more of a dodge ball player than a defender... plus i almost never make a mistake outside anymore... and i make sure i have good gloves at short and 3rd... remember... practice getting in a defensive posture even during practice pitching... it's a habit that will serve you well...

[@virgiltuhy6051]

Fantastic video fine sir! I was going to suggest using the free program Zoom it but you did some nice zoom in frames there at the end. Two questions: would you consider this pitch and the curveball to be the same pitch? I always get confused by the wording when a lot of times the pitch looks like it is breaking the same. I've always thought of the two pitches as one breaking down and away in a slashing motion and the other breaking away in a sweeping/horizontal motion. My second question is (and I believe you kind of touched on this towards the end) is if you can get this to break so much, is it a good one to start way inside on a pull hitter and try to get it to tail to the outside corner? My guess is it ends up in the shortstops hand, or back at you more often than not.

[@utah32804]

Hi Virgil. Pitchers are notorious for naming pitches in creative ways, and not always usefully descriptive. The reason I call this pitch a slider is because the break of the ball has no perceptible vertical component. It drops at the same rate of any two-seam backspin pitch. The break is significant and lateral, much like a baseball slider. If the pitch broke down hard, then it could be described more like the traditional baseball curveball. As I described the pitch in the video, the ball's orientation and rotation are virtually the same as a two-seam baseball cutter. The reason I call it a slider instead is because of the way it behaves, breaking hard like a slider. My experience with pitching the slider outside to a right-handed batter is a ball hit right back at me, not my favorite spot for a hard-hit ball. An occasional exception to this may be a "show-me" pitch before I go back inside. I just make sure it's far enough off the plate.

[@franlum]

I just work on hitting the damn plate!! If it's a good pitch, then it's up to my team to make the play!

[@pystalpeet6916]

can you throw this with the same effectiveness with a Clincher softball. I have seen many pitchers throw them with variations. Is it the density of the ball that helps in the movement or is it truly just the motion in throwing it. Peter

[@utah32804]

What size Clincher ball is it? I've seen 16" and 12" balls. I know some 12" Clincher balls weigh only 6 ounces compared to the 7-ounce standard 12" softball. If so, being lighter, the 6-ounce ball with less mass will move more. Since both balls are the same size they are subject to the same air pressure. So, the ball with less mass will have less resistance to movement. A 16" ball should respond the same way if you can grip it well enough to apply the correct spin.

[@pystalpeet6916]

@@utah32804 the clincher F12 and the clincher F12 gold with the wax core

[@pystalpeet6916]

@@utah32804 to confirm the F12 is approximately 6.25 oz so yes the 6 oz one

[@aschmidty11]

I completely forgot about this video because I was planning on trying to get this into my pitches and then our season got postponed but our season is starting up this next week so now I’ve got to get out this weekend and work on this a bit to see if I can start to get this pitch down

[@jaykayyy-b8i]

Hi I have a qn about your feet touching the mound. At 10.10, you can see the heel of your foot leave the mound but u are nowhere near releasing the ball. Is this legal?

[@utah32804]

I'm sure you're technically correct, but I've never been called on it. If I were called on it, I'd just step back a little on the rubber to make the umpire happy. Remember, you're watching this in slow motion from about 8 feet away. The umpire sees it from much farther, and in real-time, it is tough for them to make that judgment from their perspective.

[@JLIV461]

Great videos. I played Super Open back in the 90's, against Paul Drilling and some of the best pitchers in the country and I never encountered a screwball. What level did/do you play at?

[@utah32804]

Hi John, sorry for the late reply. KZbin just sent me notice of several comments that are weeks old that I've never seen. Strange. To answer your question, I play city league rec. ball in the 18-year-old and up category on the top field (5 fields/levels) in a Central FL league. I am fortunate to pitch against some pretty good travel league players at times as they use our league to keep in shape during the week. As you know, the pro game you played is different in one significant way than league play since there is no "bottom of the order." So, you never get a break in the lineup, and anyone can hurt you. You mentioned the screwball, and my experience pitching the screwball against the best hitters has been generally successful. It's not surprising that the better the hitter, the higher the need for movement and accuracy. Novelty is also crucial here. The more they see it, the better they adjust. Thanks for the comments!

[@jimpeterson3806]

I thought with the slider you offset your fingers off the seams a little to increase break? Or was that the screwball? Great video...can't wait for the others!

[@utah32804]

Good catch Jim! You're right when I started throwing the slider I did offset the seams slightly to get the right rotation but over time I've had to adjust it a little to keep the rotation correct. I'm not sure why, but I suspect my mechanics have evolved a bit. That's another reason to practice with striped balls. Slight changes in your pitch can be seen and corrected as you go, keeping your delivery as close to perfect as possible.

[@jimpeterson3806]

@@utah32804 I need to do some striping soon. I can see where it would be a benefit. My slider definitely needs some work(more than the other pitches) and this video was a great help. Thanks

[@MisterMan171]

This looks like a really tough pitch to learn and it's been a tough time trying to figure it out. I'm a beginner and have never pitched in a game before and the only pitches that I feel I have the mechanics down for are the regular backspin and forward spin. Maybe if I keep going back and forth with those two pitches it will confuse the batters because the timing is much different? Anyway, I'm trying to figure out what exactly I should be doing in practice as a complete beginner. If we do end up having a season this year, it may not start until mid June or even July.

[@utah32804]

Hi Aidan, If you're just starting, don't worry about throwing more than one pitch. It's more important to master one pitch than to have two, so so pitches. When I say "master" a pitch, I'm referring to the location command you can execute for that pitch. You want to keep that pitch within a 3-inch margin of error, left to right. When you can do that consistently, which means 4 out of 5 pitches, you're ready to learn another pitch. One more thing, decide on which straight pitch you're going to throw, forward, or backspin. They are very much alike, so alternately throwing those pitches will have a limited effect on the batter. I recommend going with the straight backspin pitch as your first pitch since it has several advantages over the forward-spin. For your second pitch, I recommend choosing one substantially different from your first, such as the slider or screwball. The important thing is to master one pitch before going on to the next. You don't want to spread your practice time too thin by trying to learn more than one or two pitches at a time.

[@ob1smash]

Good stuff. 👍🏽

[@davidrivera8052]

Does these pitches work with a clincher ball?

[@utah32804]

Yes, as long as you can get the same rotation they will work on any ball.

[@christophermarcum7812]

I’m left handed and try to use this pitch. But... when I use it the ball breaks way out of the zone for a ball. But it breaks away from the batter instead of toward how do I fix it?

[@utah32804]

Christopher, If you're left handed and you want the pitch to break "In" to the lefty, you need the screwball. Remember, the screwball breaks toward your pitching arm side whether you're a lefty or righty. Watch this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqqaapZ3j9xknZY

[@christophermarcum7812]

WeekNight Ace thank you! Got a game tonight and will surely give it a try.

[@lacocinademancho243]

Hay alguna manera de pasar estos videos en español?

[@ericboyd7721]

Is there away to throw these pitch from throwing underhanded instead?

[@utah32804]

Eric, I've never tried throwing breaking pitches with a forward spin since the backspin has been a much better pitch for me. You may check out willy dial at: kzbin.info/door/MFwASNj3SWtdBsVpNmvX7g He throws breaking pitches with a forward spin and has been a great contributor to this channel.

[@edwardmateomota1198]

Haz lo video subtitulado en español

[@josephdinneen5217]

I was wondering if you have any pitching clinics?

[@utah32804]

Hi Joseph. I am not presently offering clinics but may do so in the future. If I do, I'll be sure to highlight it in a video. Thanks for asking!

[@josephdinneen5217]

I pitch in the senior softball league on Wednesday’s at the Seminole softball complex.

[@utah32804]

@@josephdinneen5217 I play there also, Thursday night field 1. Of course, everything is shut down now.

[@josephdinneen5217]

WeekNight Ace I’ll stop by when things open back up

[@utah32804]

@@josephdinneen5217 Sure, be glad to meet you. We probably won't play this summer but plan to play in the fall.

[@MidWestJigga]

Not at all my dude because I watch the spin on the ball these are however good pitches but a good hitter picks the pitch up almost right out of your hand I do this because I need to know when to start my swing I cannot as a hitter start my swing at the same time one a pitch that’s high and slow or flat and fast and also in or out

[@jamestorres5582]

Awesome

[@wayneclark6624]

Opp's i guess i got it wrong - i thought my knuckle cure was hand to glove side and my knuckle slider slid from glove to hand side but what the hell - gott'em to strike out either way so thanks for the tips and you really shouldn't let the batters see this - some guys don't need any help

[@frankquiroz8537]

En español la traducción

[@cmora1992]

Did you use to live in Orlando ? I feel like I’ve used to cut your hair !

[@JohnSmith-po9br]

I pitched many years in competitive soft ball. The only thing a pitcher can do is to throw strikes. As slow as the ball gets to the batter allows them to adjust to any movement. Position is the key. High, low, in , out. Ball movement means squat to an experienced player.

[@ayandagwala62]

⚾

[@alexmagliacane5972]

I live right next to that park haha

[@BigRedShooter]

Go Birds

[@treydrier3169]

I put black tape on the ball and my league kicked me out. Wtf

[@Clare-t8r]

Back in the day, males did not play "girls" softball. Just saying. It is entertaining to watch overweight, used to be jocks trying to relive their youth.

[@nostamusica4690]

Tik Tok ads suck

[@DrUsh-hl9io]

omg

[@matfriske5548]

Breaks sharply 🤣 it’s going 3 mph🤦‍♂️

[@utah32804]

Actually, it's 31 mph.

[@virgiltuhy6051]

@@utah32804 It reminds me of Jamie Moyer, probably my favorite pitcher of all time.

[@leer.9641]

Man, over 5 minutes of talking before you get to the meat? Get to it.

[@willwill6031]

Too bad we can’t see your hand the entire pitch from behind. This is less than usesless.

[@murphykakeeway]

Useless pitches ... its slowpitch

[@utah32804]

Murphy, pitches are only useless if they have no adverse effect on the batter. Every batter is not the same. Some are more affected by good pitching than others. The intelligent pitcher's objective is not to get every batter out every time. It is to lower his opponent's team batting average marginally over time as he improves. In a league with parity, this can make a significant difference in a team's win-loss record. If you learn how to pitch, you can do that, slow-pitch or not.

[@murphykakeeway]

Still useless in slowpitch You ever see some of the scores in mens usssa games , thats my point Its still slowpitch Why are you trying to make it seem like a slowpitch pitch with very little movement is gonna matter ITS SLOOOWPITCH 🤦‍♂️

[@donriley9053]

Appreciate your videos. Just found out about them. I have been pitching about 5 years. My go to pitch has been the underhand straight pitch. I have also developed the backhand straight pitch, and the underhand curve. Recently I have started throwing the high pitch backhand slider. But I actually supinate my wrist on the take away. Palm faces first base. Seems more natural and less stress on the shoulder while still generating spin. Thoughts?