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

Welcome to Baseball Basics

Welcome to our series "Baseball Basics," where we delve into various techniques, positions, and strategies within the realm of baseball! Whether you are just beginning to explore the sport or looking for ways to enhance your understanding, this series aims to simplify complex ideas into clearer explanations. Today, our focus is on one of baseball's most intriguing pitches: the curveball.

What is a Curveball?

A curveball is a specific type of pitch delivered by a pitcher that behaves differently than a standard fastball. While a fastball moves in a relatively straight trajectory, a curveball seems to "break" or curve downward as it approaches the batter. This unanticipated movement makes it particularly challenging for batters to make contact with the ball.

Consider it this way: if you were playing catch with a friend and threw the ball normally, it would travel along a straight path. However, the curveball resembles a sleight of hand—just as the batter is about to swing, the ball drops dramatically!

How Does a Curveball Work?

The mechanism that allows a curveball to move in this extraordinary way is known as "spin." When a pitcher delivers a curveball, they grip the ball in a distinctive manner and employ a snapping motion of the wrist upon release. This action generates spin on the ball.

Here’s why spin is crucial:

1. Air Pressure: As the spinning ball cuts through the air, it produces varying air pressures on different sides of the ball.
2. Magnus Effect: This disparity in air pressure (referred to as the Magnus Effect) propels the ball in the direction of the side with lower pressure.
3. Gravity: When combined with the force of gravity pulling the ball downward, this results in the dramatic dropping motion characteristic of a curveball.

Think of it similarly to when a basketball player adds spin to the ball to bounce it back toward themselves off the backboard.

How to Throw a Curveball

When throwing a curveball, pitchers adopt a grip that differs from their hold on other pitches:

1. The ball is secured with the middle and index fingers positioned closely together across the seams.
2. The thumb is placed directly beneath the ball for support.
3. As the pitcher releases the ball, they utilize a snapping motion with their wrist and pull downward on the front of the ball, akin to the movement of pulling down a window shade.

Famous Curveball Pitchers

Many notable pitchers throughout baseball history have gained recognition for their exceptional curveballs.

Clayton Kershaw, who has had an illustrious career in Los Angeles, is celebrated for possessing one of the most formidable curveballs in modern baseball. His curveball drops so intensely that commentators occasionally refer to it as "Public Enemy No. 1," due to the difficulty it presents for batters.

Sandy Koufax, a pitching legend active during the 1950s and 1960s, delivered a curveball that appeared to plummet off the edge of a table. Batters would prepare to swing at what they perceived to be a strike, only to witness the ball descend below their bats at the last moment.

A Curveball in Action

Imagine yourself as 12-year-old Marco, stepping onto the field to bat during a crucial Little League game. The opposing pitcher, Jessie, is renowned for her impressive curveball. As Jessie winds up and unleashes the ball, Marco anticipates its arrival toward the center of the plate. "What a perfect pitch to hit!" he thinks. However, just as he swings, the ball unexpectedly drops, and Marco's bat cuts through the empty space. Strike one! That is the true power of a skillfully executed curveball.

Learning to Hit a Curveball

For young batters, mastering the art of hitting a curveball requires ample practice and persistence. Coaches often advise players to "stay back" on curveballs, which entails holding off on their swing for a moment longer. This delay affords them the opportunity to recognize the ball's movement and adjust their approach accordingly.

Keep in mind that baseball relies heavily on mental acuity as much as physical ability. The more curveballs you encounter, the better you will become at identifying them early on!