The Knuckleballs Are Just Plain Filthy 🤮

[@bbdina14]

Thank you! 🙏

[@freshplasticup5795]

Absolute filth. go wash up haha

[@Kermit_thetoad]

I love your channel I am a subscriber

[@Steve25901]

Nicely done

[@Ian-yf1rl]

If you weren't a dude they wouldn't have done it! Hard work is paying off. Keep working.

[@strkeout]

You need a different instructor bro. This guy will get you hurt.

[@tompeake8583]

Knuckleballs aside, this is an interesting video to see the conversations you have w guys who aren't in the 'elite thrower' velo range, thanks for posting the longer/full pen vid!

[@thenext9537]

HOLY CRAP. That first knuckle had ZERO spin, it just floated and moved crazy. A ton of his tosses don't really move, that's SO HARD. I tried throwing knuckles for months and months and something always catches and it spins then it's just BP at the point. Mad respect to Knucklers.

[@MeatCognition]

Bro for real! That first knuckle would leave even the best pro hitters cross-eyed. That shit was nasty!

[@stevethea5250]

2:48

[@thenext9537]

@@stevethea5250 Indeed! After watching it at .25 speed, and his arm slot, you see the seams just being....still as it's thrown. NUTS. So damn hard to do.

[@jeremywilkerson7502]

Reporter: "So, Bob, how do you catch a knuckleball?" Bob Ueker: "You just wait for it to stop rolling and you pick it up."

[@pumpbustersv1]

"There are two ways to catch the knuckleball. They are both wrong."

[@groupersti]

I used to play softball with a guy who throw a NASTY knuckleball with a softball..Trying to warmup with this guy ..I only did it once..After getting hit in the chest...legs..Never warmed up with him again..ABOUT CAN'T CATCH THE DAM THING!

[@plowmaster1206]

They dont move till theyre in the glove

[@PFCAVB00]

I had a coach that would warm me up with the occasional knuckle. Trying to track that shit was impossible, it looks so weird coming at you.

[@jbtflo]

@@groupersti I could throw a really mean one with a softball, but could never keep a baseball from moving a little too much.

[@JohnXavierSieg]

I think everyone loves knuckleballs because they represent hope. This kid is topping out at 80 mph fastball, but his knuckleball could strike pros out.

[@bbdina14]

Topping 86 on a normal day 😉

[@PatrickWilliamShaw]

100%. Well said.

[@gliiitched]

Yeah, it's like R.A. Dickey's knuckleball

[@PHIL253]

​@@bbdina14nice pitching! Hopefully tread post more of your pitching!

[@Mr.Sr.Jr.]

​@andrewpoe7516Don't be an ass hat, the kid isn't lying. He knows what his fastest pitch is better than some angsty nobody on KZbin...

[@snaphookright4767]

I love the philosophy of the knuckle ball: if I don’t know where it’s going, neither do you.

[@5yearsout]

Back in HS I faced a pitcher that had a knuckleball. I was a good hitter, (had D1 offers) he threw that knuckle ball with 2 strikes and it just froze me, didn't even wait for the ump to punch me out, just started the walk of shame, 35 years later I'm still baffled by that pitch.

[@jamerson23]

“That was kinda sick” The catcher: kill me

[@stevethea5250]

2:50

[@jamesehamilton]

This guy is an awesome coach. Positive, upbeat, clear instruction, interested in his players' progress. What a great influence for all these young guys. Also, hats off to the fella throwing those crazy knuckleballs. Hope he continues developing that pitch, along with his other stuff.

[@tijan8948]

except, as a brit, what the hell does he know about baseball. This aint criket 😂

[@vasocreta]

@@tijan8948 Ned Lasso?

[@lastsecondshot5779]

@@tijan8948 I think he’s an Aussie dude lol

[@livelyupmyself1]

Definitely aussie.

[@tijan8948]

@@lastsecondshot5779 is there a difference? And what the heck do they know about baseball 😝

[@ThePlantedTankTV]

Dude it’s so hard to throw with zero spin like that. What a beast.

[@jermbo]

Need some more knuckle ballers in the show, hope he makes it far

[@ItsTeezar]

Tap me in! 🙌🏼

[@joshuasalyer2361]

I never knew Gerrit Cole throws a Knuckle curve til this year. I'm hoping as he ages and loses velo, he adapts a knucklescrew to stash next to knucklecurve in the ol repertoire..

[@spencercurtis86]

I love how he did this and said "rosin too sticky" avoiding bad habits. This pitch gonna cause some problems for them boys at the plate 🔥🔥

[@azrielnguyen9586]

I remember Tim Wakefield from the Red Sox playing a critical role for the Sox in those years. He served as irreplaceable role of chewing up innings whenever needed. Whenever a starter have a bad outing especially in a playoff series, manager could always rely on Wakefield to come in and keep damage to a minimum instead of sacrificing the entire bullpen and losing the series. Wake could pitch on one day rest, that knuckler was the heart of the Sox. This is when Pedro our Lord was there.

[@dennisbrooks1526]

every video i have seen from these guys is awesome. Great coaching and some unbelievable talent. Those knuckleballs were gross

[@Canuckle19]

Awesome to see Knuckleballs are alive and well

[@1234Misterman]

This coach's communication reminds me of my golf coach in my competition years. Clear, direct, and high yield; Great job gaff.

[@Shit_talking_softballers]

I love seeing the knuckleball gaining traction in popularity with the young players

[@rmoultonrmoulton145]

Me too. I think the problem that will almost always exist though, is how hard it is to be consistent with it. I think this is why you have so few guys in pro ball throw it. Guys like RA Dickey and Wakefield are HUGE exceptions to the rule. But even then, they couldn't maintain long careers because even they lost that ability to maintain.

[@daleftuprightatsoldierfield]

@@rmoultonrmoulton145Dickey lasted 17 years in the league

[@rmoultonrmoulton145]

@@daleftuprightatsoldierfield But he didn't really develop that knuckle until is early to mid 30s though right? And then he had the Cy Young season and then another solid season or 2 after?

[@Win7ermu7e]

@@rmoultonrmoulton145 It's really tough on catchers too, and they generally have to have their own catcher. You could see how frustrated this kid was trying to catch them.

[@nathansmith762]

it's becasue you don't need to have a super strong arm to throw it.

[@Parkersdayoff109]

The way it moves at the plate is just unfair. He's got an incredible weapon!

[@bowerthomas1078]

I’m handling my incredible weapon as we speak

[@RajPatel-jz3nt]

🤨

[@shaunobrien7675]

He’s throwing upper 70s. I’d be taking that shit to the moon

[@tapeworm6093]

@@bowerthomas1078coach? Is that you?

[@dino_boy_4259]

@@shaunobrien7675 Against that lineup, nope

[@jiggilowjow]

its a dope coach and hes a dope pitcher to take the coaching sooo good!!! these two are symbiotic with their thing. this is kinda dope to see this kinda dedication from both

[@dennissorensen9320]

Think of how good this guy will be in a few years when he gets bigger and stronger... keep on working...

[@gj1234567899999]

2:50 is the knuckleball pitch

[@JD0586]

Protect this kid. Man we need more knuckleballers back in the game.

[@coatesjoseph]

The catcher shaking his head says it all lol

[@leroybrown-coco]

Think what it would do with some wind. It makes them go,,, only God knows where.

[@stephenquinto2561]

I smiled through the entire knuckler segment, I must admit. Dude even has an unconventional grip. The late Tim Wakefield (RIP, still so young), used the tips of his middle and index fingers to directly "push" the ball off from under the horseshoe seam pattern of the ball. Here, Madison uses his index and middle finger sort of curled in on the seams of the ball (or even right next to the seams) to give the ball that "push." Very interesting!

[@Droscarmonaf]

He's got the body of a legendary knuckler

[@keithk1559]

I once struck out one of my best friends with 5 straight knuckleballs, even told him b4 the game that was all I was throwing to him. He never swung (swang) not sure, whatever, once. The last one was questionable as whether or not it was a strike but the ump wrang him up. His reaction was priceless as he flipped is helmet off immediately with his forearms and screamed at the ump "you gotta be kiddin me". I played baseball my whole life and that was probably my favorite moment. Always wanted to share that memory so thanks to all that read it. Im not trying to brag its just seeing a knuckleball video on YT that brought back fond memories. Good to see someone throwing that pitch, its deadly if you can control it, i could not, just got lucky against my good friend that day. ✌️✝️

[@derrickroberts1413]

Similar story, I went to a different High School than one of my best friends growing up. He caught for me for years, summer and travel ball. We used to spend entire weekends just hitting baseballs and pitching to one another. We finally faced each other senior year, and he knew every pitch I was going to throw all game long to every batter. I struck him out 3 times throwing 9 knuckleballs to him. One at bat I threw all 3 knuckleballs 6 inches above his eyes and he swung and missed at all 3 out of frustration. I pitched a 1 hit shutout and scored both of our runs in 2-0 victory. Even better is that I have the video tape because the people over the ballpark said I earned it.

[@Gumbocinno]

It is indeed "swung".

[@biggzie_]

One of my favorite knuckleball pitchers was Tim Wakefield. When he threw one in game it was like he was just lobbing it in, and dudes were swinging for the fence blind. Steady mid 70s everytime. Hope to see this guy on the big mound doing the same one day.

[@americanboy79]

One of Boston’s beloved all time athletes. I miss him up here.

[@reecetbobby5347]

Amazing how much knowledge the coach/trainer has for how young he is.

[@Danjr704]

I would love to see that against a hitter. Coaches reaction after first one was awesome.

[@Coco-qz7fn]

An Australian Pitching coach...cool! As a former catcher, we had a guy that could throw a nasty knuckleball as well. I could not catch it. They purchased me a first basemen's glove to try and help...it helped a little but man when it's working it's tough to even catch much less hit.

[@carnerenas]

70+ mph knuckleball is crazy. All old guys threw them in the 50-60 mph range with a slow stretch

[@mattbrown570]

The slow-mow eyes when Sam sees how good the nuckle is great!

[@joshualin6971]

so he has a 76mph knuckle and a 78mph fastball?! damn

[@bbdina14]

I’m like mid 80 but I was out of it that day 😂

[@spritely2158]

Nasty dude @@bbdina14

[@vaggeto]

Awesome knuckleball! Interesting velo was down so much. I honestly thought you were barely trying based on how it looked those first few, so it made complete sense when he said what effort level are we at? I thought you were going to respond 75%. I just don't see that "oomph" or explosion. Do you have more of that on days you're at 86, or is it always a relaxed pitching motion? @@bbdina14

[@PongGod]

This catcher is like, "WTF, how am I supposed to catch these things?"

[@leroybrown-coco]

It's why the knuckle catchers mitt is larger than normal.

[@jeffmejia111]

In a galaxy far, far away a long time ago, I was playing second base and a knuckleball was hit right to me. It's weird, with no spin, the ball appears to be moving like a butterfly--kind of hopping around, veering off to one side. You have to experience one to actually know. I almost didn't make the catch. From the stands it looked like a routine 'comebacker'. It was a tough catch to make.

[@alexjones6190]

Sky high infield pop ups will do the same thing it's an automatic drop the first time you get one of those

[@humanbean3]

i had a coach who was a elite pitcher once upon a time. while playing catch he would sometimes throw in a knuckleball. they are ridiculous and the camera does not do it justice

[@bobbyDD]

@@humanbean3 u could see that thing dancing even on camera. the slow-mo just makes it less rapid looking.

[@bobbyDD]

i had the same thing happen while playing 2nd, it damn near knocked me on my ass with the amount of times i moved my glove to catch it. i was in a weird half squat by the time it finally hit my glove lmao

[@Gk2003m]

What you’ll notice is that the knuckleball’s initial motion is *slightly* predictable. A well thrown knuckleball spins very little if at all… but what it does is to revolve around its trajectory. It’s nearly impossible to tell where it will fall out of that revolution, which is what makes it so difficult to hit or catch, but that’s what it’s doing. Go watch slo-Mo vid of RA Dickey’s best, and you’ll see it clearly.

[@40below1000]

Hope this kid makes it and has a long career somewhere. Knuckleballers can pitch 9 every other day and stay in the league until they're 50.

[@TXbornTNpaid615]

RA DICKEY won a CY YOUNG.. he led the NL in innnings pitched+ Strikeouts+ complete games+ shutouts.. Hes easily the best knuckle baller ever

[@deanwhite6225]

He had the best single season, but he's nowhere close to Wakefield, Hough or Phil Neikro

[@straycatnip]

Phil Niekro is still the best knuckleball pitcher.

[@whitneymacdonald4396]

Don't forget Wilbur Wood. Phil Niekro was probably the best though (but heck, I love 'em all).

[@harrod19]

That's CRAZY the technology and coaching that goes into this!

[@ResolUloseR]

Its so cool to see this channel FINALLY promoting something other than "95mph+" fastballs. Knuckleballers are true artists, and add so much enjoyable variety to baseball.

[@DavidHumeGoat]

I love this!! Knuckleball and Tread!

[@gengen5607]

4 great things about knuckleball 1. Hard to learn 2. Hard to hit 3. Confusing to catch 4. Rarely seen

[@itzbreath6087]

I wish I had a facility like this when I was coming up. This has probably driven so many players to their full potential.

[@mwp597]

I once threw a knuckle ball that was the slowest ball maybe 40 mph just enough to get to plate. It had zero spin and danced 6"s in every direction and moving that slow the catcher missed it. The ball look like it was in slow motion all the to plate.I never did repeat that throw.

[@Sedona-cl6eg]

I threw one like that when I was just fooling around playing catch. Never could duplicate it. Unbelievable movement.

[@joeg4707]

This guy's knuckler gives him potential. The arm is not live, perfect for a knuckleballer. I didn't have a live arm either, and relied on changing speeds, location, and a screwball.

[@bryanleimbach3939]

For the uninitiated, can we get an explanation of what the red, blue, and grey dots mean on the analysis screen?

[@bbdina14]

I wish I could help but I’m colorblind

[@treadathletics]

Those are the pitch types. Black = FB Red = 2S Blue = Slider

[@ennetttrue]

Fun to watch 99 mph that moves 8", but way more fun to see 73mph and looks like Elaine Betiss dancing and the catcher can't handle it..soooo sick. 😢 thanks for all these great videos..

[@vv4g]

This dude doesn’t need to be throwing as hard as he can just get his knuckle to be 0spin and he’s go,den

[@joshuasalyer2361]

Gotta keep arm speeds relatively consistent. Otherwise you're tipping pitches

[@kevindietzel8100]

Knuckleballs are a high wire act. Its either amazing or it's death

[@ApHoney]

Always wanted to work my knuckleball in in college. Was sitting 94 and topping 97 but could throw my knuckleball around 84 and either force it to tumble or with no spin. Cool seeing trackman come into baseball. We had the probatter in high school and that was beyond cool back then.

[@Elijahgavi]

Tips ?

[@Gravelgratious]

4:07 that dog was about to stake his claim on that bullpen!

[@yeildo1492]

I read an article in Sports Illustrated (which used to be a GREAT magazine) about Wilbur Wood and I spent 12 months teaching myself how to throw the dancing bear. After a while my friends would not play catch with me if I threw knucklers. I was a pretty decent pitcher who had zero fastball.

[@david-1775]

The best part is when the catcher misses the ones right over the plate. Not being able to predict the flight is CRAZY.

[@ddeboy002]

deadliest combo.. fast ball 98mph and the knuckler at 75.... batters get so pissed off.

[@jiggilowjow]

this kids got the sickest sinker ...his breaking ball is crazy af too. hitting a lifless ball like that with no spin.im telling you the hit just goes no where its like you cant evenget enough of a swing to get that connection. this kids gots that dead ball that all batters dread...hes gotta go with that hes so fire with that dead ball man

[@kekesklips644]

The knuckle is a awesome weapon to have if you can control it, command looks like it’s getting there great stuff

[@blindsquirrelRockChucker]

It would b cool to get y’all to do a video analysis of my shepherds sling throwing the ball, to see how consistent my throws are and how fast they go.

[@dfloriza]

On top of a knuckleball being a nasty pitch, it's also great for career longevity - you have a strikeout pitch that you don't need to throw 100 mph, and it saves the arm a bunch of trouble. No snap of the wrist or anything, and you can't predict where it's going to go, even if you see it coming. Just a dangerous pitch to have in the kit

[@rexpayne7836]

From Australia. I love watching baseball and especially these videos. 🇦🇺 😊

[@brionbee]

I love the knuckleball because it flies in the face of modern baseball. Performance enhancing drugs don't help it. It doesn't pair well with adrenalized heavy metal music in the background. It is elegant but Squirrley. Old men commonly throw it better than young men. It is about finesse and chaos and fun. Like baseball in the Late 1800s. It breaks the monotony. It rejects the speed of a pitch versus the power of a hitter in favor of an interesting and humorous viewing experience. And the fact that even the picture has no idea what the ball is going to do makes the knuckleball my favorite aspect of baseball.

[@mooretrumpet]

The coach is an Aussie! So funny for another Australian like me to hear the accent on a baseball video

[@jumboJetPilot]

Back in my late teens/early 20’s the knuckle ball wasn’t nearly as revered. I had a mean knuckle ball back then but almost never threw it. I regret that now.

[@그린브리티쉬]

너클볼을 던지기 위해서 손목을 90도로 고정시키고 손바닥을 계속 포수쪽으로 향하게 하는게 좋은가요?

[@zachansen8293]

These programs should have the ability to predict how hitters at different levels would hit a certain pitch. it would be super neat to see: div1 hitters: X, AAA-ball: Y, average-MLB: Z, MVP-level MLB: XXX

[@tuttifrutti2229]

Problem is it’s super hard to control and have a feel for it. If you throw it too fast or too slow l it’s basically a practice pitch for hitters to homerun

[@randywissler9923]

The knuckleball is definitely a lost art!! Good to see they arent completely lost.

[@smokedbrisket3033]

by the 3rd knuckle, catcher just totally gave up. Somebody once asked Bob Uecker how to catch a knuckle ball. "Wait until it stops rolling, then go pick it up."

[@JHobartMusic72]

Holy shiiiit that dude’s knuckle ball looked like a fking movie scene slow motion epicly dramatic like “the last pitch for humanity…..” and then the credits roll as the ball just disappears into the void of uncertainty. Fkn awesome man. I always admired dudes like that, that could play ball and be good at it.. I was(am) a career musician/composer (went to U of Michigan music school) and I would give all of my talent and ability to compose music up if I could be a pitcher, and do what he’s doing and be a part of a team. I just never did it so I have no idea if I would have been good or not. Music started for me in 6th grade alllll the way until now. The whole physics of it fascinates me, and then add in the stress of winning or losing a game based on your ability to use physics to your advantage.

[@_f_6957]

@5:30 why does it say 82.1 BEFORE he throws it and also after he throws it?

[@treadathletics]

Radar read off the other pitcher's velo and because it was harder and still up when the knuckleballer threw his pitch, it didn't register it. Right after you can see on the trackman its low 70s.

[@gregd6706]

Man that poor catcher is thinking "why did I volunteer for this"???

[@obey2dmax]

The "uncontrollable and untamed" pitch. 😅

[@jamespitts10]

The knuckle ball. For those situations when “you don’t know what I’m gonna do bc neither do I” is a chance you’re willing to take.

[@charlieromeo7663]

Joe Niekro taught me how to throw a knuckler back in ’79 during spring training in Cocoa, Fl. He told me the ideal rotation was 1.5 revs total. There weren’t a lot of radar guns around and I don’t know how fast they were, but man he could make a baseball dance. Cool vid.

[@BIGHEADjr51]

Hahaha uh huh

[@lotklear]

I messed around with a knuckler for years. I got very good with it ....80% of the time. The last 20% were like hitting t ball. A good knuckler has maybe no more than 2 full rotations from release to home plate. Any more and you're in big trouble. And, at least for me, whenever a let a knuckleball go with too much spin it always seems to go right down main street.

[@Deezejuevos]

You want to have everyone in the world rooting for you to make it, become a knuckler.

[@acct5910]

slider is solid too. just need a little more velo on the fastball

[@greghoward9303]

I think he has a tell when he points his glove at the catcher. Shake means knuckle

[@claybrinkman533]

This is a joke, right?

[@cityhawk]

When I got the opportunity to pitch, I mostly used the knuckleball. I was able to K 6 in two innings. I got it to drop like an anvil. That's when it was doing what I wanted it to do. When it was bad, it hung in the zone and got tattooed. So I gave up 1 ER on 3 hits. The pitch is a double-edged sword.

[@dangelo1369]

You don't have to throw the knuckleball hard. In fact, speed kills the knuckler. You cannot throw another type of pitch if you are a knuckleballer. You have to be dedicated to that pitch full time. The reason there aren't any knuckleballers anymore is because it's a novelty pitch, second no organization is going risk putting it's team behind a guy who throws it. That's why the only pitchers who throw at the major league level are pitchers who have made it and are trying to extend their careers or pitchers coming back from injury and aren't capable of throwing hard anymore. They're using it out of desperation. A knuckleball isn't as affective indoors as it is outdoors where the wind and weather can affect it more. Pitching inside, you won't see it drop or break as you would outdoors.

[@rufusjenkins5637]

Inside lighting is super different too I’m sure they pitch much better indoors vs batters

[@basicprogrammer6147]

I kind of "push" the ball away from me. I never turn my hand. I am not sure if that's the correct way, but my catchers say there is no spin at all. And it looks very scary because the ball wobbles.

[@coldcrush9]

Why is there an English pitching coach?

[@treadathletics]

He's Australian

[@jackmorrison8269]

Thats ultimate control, like starting at your feet and ending up at your fingertips, and dead spinning all the physics involved with a feeling. I dont even like baseball anymore but that video of his fingers makes the great pitchers of the past look even m9re insane if you could imagine seeing this footage with the MLB? Maybe i would watch again if this was real-time tech, to make the game less boring and show how it really works.

[@joshuasalyer2361]

The games are much more paced with the pitch clock. And they've increased the size of 1st, 2nd and 3rd base to promote more steals and aggro base running. The game has definitely IMPROVED. Give it a go again, and thank me later ..

[@donventura3844]

How does the system track the ball rpm. Is there a sensor in the ball or is it all camera like a hit trax

[@theScienceLabLive]

5:54 I thought, "Where's he sighting? Should be face mask." Lol.

[@gregcreeson]

Everybody should know Tim Wakefield was an outfielder warming up with the center fielder throwing knuckles in the minors. If not for that he never makes it as a position player. A coach just happened to see him doing it.

[@808lublabs4]

Throwing that knuckle way too hard. Slowing it down gives it more time to move. Would also make his fastball seem harder as a change of pace.

[@solitaryman777]

There's a film about dudes who threw the knuckler and they all said they changed speeds.

[@larata9]

Bro ur not a pitch is what he should be saying 70 mph and he 20

[@danrose3233]

Poor catcher clearly has not caught many knuckles.

[@MrBeary-cn3br]

Hardest one to catch so far. I think I can relate to the big guy a bit. Back in HS I struggled so much w a fast ball. Its like I really can't push for fb. But everytime I threw a knuckle, not like I really know how I got a couple of strikes. Best feeling i had in sports and I used to play all kind of sports. Really love baseball but don't really have the talent for it sadly.

[@udahbest7338]

What his name? Any update from him?

[@bbdina14]

I just got Tommy John surgery. I had a partial tear and was stuck at low 80’s! Looking to get back up to speed soon!

[@danbuckland6350]

Never had a chance to play hardball. But did catch fast pitch and one of my pitchers loved throwing a knuckleball. Such a fun experience to catch!

[@TerryArbgast]

A properly thrown knuckleball should make 1 to 1.5 times rotation to get the best movement.

[@michaellussoro2295]

Step dad played for the reds told me pull down light a light switch on a knuckle ball ! Sickest pitch in the game

[@Elijahgavi]

Yup just like a curve

[@Joey-ee7wp]

As you can see, the number of knuckle balls thrown, only 2 or 3 out of 10 was unhitable. The rest were balls. Knuckle balls are hard to control. Pitching is very difficult.

[@hoIycow0]

I see some comments about his velocity and stuff, but this dude is a 8/10 great prospect. That's a fact.

[@JD0586]

Just perfect your knuckler. Screw the sliders and any other junk. An occasional fast ball slung in there is manageable.. but a good knuckleballer can dominate with that being his main pitch.

[@macDaddy1118]

Focusing too much on pitch speed during a technique exercise. Its easier to add power to perfect technique than it is to add power to inconsistent technique. The answer isnt always "throw harder". Plus young pitchers should be preserving their arm whenever they can for longevity. Sometimes you have to practice at 100% but it should be limited.

[@BennysThoughts]

Its the most comfortable 0 for 4 a major league batter could hope for at the plate.

[@SurprisedSynth88]

My Dad taught me how to throw a knuckleball. Rarely was able to catch it when he threw it. And it moved in a way balls shouldn't be able to move