Baseball, America’s most loved and played game ever! Millions of fans follow baseball dedicatedly and are ardently in love with each and every move involved in the game. Almost every American child dreams of playing for his favorite baseball team one day.
Like any other game, several techniques of playing are involved in this game too. Something as simple as how you grip the baseball can turn the game around. There is much more to pitching than just throwing it in the direction of the batsman.
The grip on a baseball is probably one of the most commonly overlooked parts of the game’s playing techniques. Baseball grip has been categorized into several types for optimum effect. Each type of grip has a particular effect on how you throw the baseball, which can prove to be vital in a game.
A perfect baseball throw is one that is fast and accurate. The following points are to be remembered while gripping the ball:
Baseball Grip
Grip the ball across the seams to maximize the speed and accuracy of the pitch. Grip on the ball should be made in such a way that the two seams running on the ball should lie perpendicular to your two fingers on top. At the same time, your thumb should be perpendicular to the seams running at the bottom of the ball too. This grip is very much similar to the four-seam grip.
Fingertip Grip
Try and keep the ball in your fingertips and avoid resting the ball in the curve if your palm. This helps to pitch a quicker throw of the ball. Grip the ball in such a way that your index finger and middle finger lie on top of the ball while your thumb holds the bottom of the ball in the center. The top two fingers must be spread apart a little bit such that the top middle portion is visible between your fingers. The two fingers left should be tucked to the sides of the baseball.
Gripping the Baseball
Baseball grip should be constantly practiced to ensure that you can give the fast and accurate effect in every game. It is to be remembered that gripping the ball correctly in a game of catch is very easy as you can take your time. But in a live game, you might not have the time to ensure that your grip on the ball is correct before throwing it. Thus, it is extremely necessary that you practice the proper grip several number of times so that it comes automatically during every game.
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Grip on the ball can now be classified into various types. Some of the most common grips that you should know about are:
Four-seam fastball
This kind of hold is similar to the kind of grip mention in the first point above. Baseball throwing has proved to be very accurate and fast with this throw. You should make sure that you grip the ball lightly between your fingers and there is space between the ball and the palm of your hand.
Two-seam fastball
Grip the ball in your fingers in such a way that your index finger and middle finger lie directly on top of the line of the seams on the ball. The thumb is placed on the bottom of the ball, on the leather in between the two narrow seams. This kind of grip is more firm and the ball is also placed a bit deeper in the hand. Baseball throwing with a two seam fastball is very accurate.
Three-finger changeup
Baseball is to be gripped with three fingers on top in a three finger changeup. Grip the ball with the ring, middle, and index finger lying on top. At the same time your thumb and little finger should lie on the leather underneath the ball.
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