Whenever I do some pitching practice I am not consistent in getting my follow through to go straight. As a right handed thrower, the arm goes off to the left mostly. I have better success releasing with the palm facing down (back spin) but want to also throw palm up and side spins. Any suggestions on mechanics, feet, body position, wrist wraps, etc.? Thank you.

I pitch backspin too. Two things off the top of my head... hold the ball across the long side of the laces so you get a four-seam spin for straighter, truer flight. In practice, trust your muscle-memory for the release, and think about your right thumb finishing next to your right ear. Make it about thumb-to-ear to groove a consistent delivery.

Good luck!

Jim Ramsey
www.SeniorSoftballCamp.com

Muscle memory keeps telling me I have enough velosity, but I'm usually short. Until I get this figured out, it's OF & IF for me.

Practice pitching into a 5 gallon bucket. You can work with all spins and get muscle memory. Good Luck Dan

I do not know if I qualify as a Pitcher or just a "Thrower", but I have thrown baseballs and softballs for 55 years. Played Softball primarily since I was 25.
As early in the year as weather permits, I start pitching batting practice as much and as often as possible. I also use a bucket when it is just me. I always go to a field, properly marked, and place the bucket behind the plate.
I also try to remember a simple trick that my high school coach taught me. If your pitches are naturally moving left--move to the left of the rubber and vice-versa.
Pitching from the front of the rubber, side to side, or 2-3 ft behind demands repetition more than anything.
How one holds the softball and delivers depends on the various kinds of pitches desired and more than anything--what one is most comfortable with day in and out.

Oh, so you're pitching short... that's a different topic than the path of your arm swing.

1) Try pitching flatter. That might trick your muscle memory and add distance.

2) Make an effort to use your legs more. A little more power from your legs might supplement the muscle memory of your arm swing and add distance.

3) Pitching on a reg. field is great if there's one close. If not, any clear area where you can get the correct distance is fine.

4) I am not a fan of buckets. I prefer a white towel, which is more similar to a plate/mat combo. (or a pice of carpet or plywood even.) Having the similar size is better visual reinforcement. If possible, aim for a specific point. That will help hone your accuracy.

I hope these suggestions help.

Jim Ramsey
www.SeniorSoftballCamp.com

Dan
I have been pitching for close to 40 years
A couple of things to try:
* whatever you do, MAKE sure you end up in a position to defend yourself !!!! that's rule # 1
* Use the new rules to your advantage, most associations let you pitch from behind the rubber, start further back and walk up towards the plate, it helps with the distance.
* Use the 2nd bar of the backstop for a height reference, its usually 10 ft. or 12 ft. tall.
*Try throwing it like a bowling ball, a little spin might help you control it
* and pitch a million pitches.. pitch a lot of batting practice, it will help with muscle memory
* Strive for 1 walk per game, then 1 walk per day, then 1 walk per tournament.

Hope this helps

Good luck
Brett

Good info from everyone. Thank you. If I had 30/40+ plus years of pitching experience this topic would not have been submitted. A field is 1/4 mile away. Time to chip away at those million pitches and use my regulation sized towel plate for pitching more so than BP.

Dan,

I'm 62 and I started pitching 2 years ago. I currently pitch for a 50s major team. Mechanics and practice is the key for me. I go to the fields 2 to 3 times a week and practicing pitching with a mat. I found when I was pitching too short I was not pushing off with my legs. I'm also a right hand thrower. To avoid having my pitches go to the left, I swing my right arm back close to my body and lock my wrist. This allows me to deliver the pitch in a straight forward motion. As mentioned above, it is very important that after your delivery you are in a position to defend yourself. Best of luck.

The suggestions above are good, and many of us pitchers have different deliveries. The 2 key points that I find most important for me, especially when I watch pitchers struggling after several games in a tournament, is to just relax and pitch the ball and not aim the the ball. When I am missing the mat, it is usually because I am not facing my target at the time of my release. As some of the above have mentioned, you need to be in a position to field the ball. By pitching the ball and not aiming it and facing your target, you will pitch more strikes and be in a position to field the ball.

JMHO,

Andy Smith

Diesel Dan,
Honestly I'd quit throwing backspin every pitch. It's harder to locate, and truly height, location, and batter tendencies are the priority here. I occasionally use it mainly for a change in speed, but that's it. 2 strikes, pull hitter, yeah probably going to get high inside backspin pitch. But that's it...

Dan,

All great suggestions. My only additional comment would be finding the perfect "strike" position for you. You need to be able to pitch like you hit. If you find that perfect position, then if you are short, deep, left or right of target, it's easier to make the necessary adjustment. Having additional pitches in your arsenal is awesome, but you NEED to have that one pitch that no matter what you can throw for a strike. My first 50 balls in practice is that one pitch, then the next 50 are variations of distance, then the next 50 different pitches (knuckle, curve, even your backspin).

The best advice above for me is being able to relax and throw strikes, because when I struggle, I sometimes focus too much on throwing strikes and then you do forget about fielding position, this can get you hurt! lol

Good luck!

mck71.....yep.....find your strike pitch first...then go to improvising......as far as the backspin pitch...it was the one i used all the time till i hurt my shoulder....and i could locate it pretty good and always had good height with it.....some batters thought it was to high...oh well....LOL.....umps didn't....now i need to learn how to throw a curve on purpose...can throw knuckle...but the curve only by accident....

so find your strike pitch first..is great info....