| In the game of baseball correct throwing | | | | imagine painting a vertical line with their throwing |
| mechanics are of the utmost importance. If a | | | | hand from the letters on their partner's hat to |
| player can't throw with accuracy he does his | | | | their partner's belt buckle. |
| team little good out in the field. Players must | | | | Throwing To The Circle |
| constantly strive to perfect their throwing | | | | Baseball players should always practice throwing |
| mechanics. Few players take the time necessary | | | | on a downward plane to their target. When |
| to become really good throwers. Great pride | | | | throwing with a partner, the player should focus |
| should be taken when a player can consistently | | | | on throwing down into "the circle". The circle is an |
| throw to a target. | | | | area from the partner's hat, right shoulder, belt |
| Key Points in Throwing | | | | buckle, and left shoulder. A player who can throw |
| The Grip | | | | down into the circle consistently is a good |
| Many young players grip the ball with their fingers | | | | thrower. |
| too wide apart. This affects accuracy severely | | | | Note: A player receiving a ball should always have |
| reduces velocity of the throw. The fingers should | | | | both hands in front of the chest with fingers |
| be about ¼ inch apart (about the width of | | | | pointing out and up. This makes a great target in |
| a yellow #2 pencil). The index and middle finger | | | | the center of the circle. |
| should lay across the wide seams of the ball. This | | | | Staying On Line |
| grip is also known as a 4-seam fastball. The pads | | | | Throwers should imagine a line running from their |
| of the index and middle finger sit on the seam of | | | | pivot foot straight through their target. As they |
| the ball. If you think of the ball as a clock, the | | | | throw, they should separate their arms on the |
| index and middle fingers should rest on either side | | | | imaginary line being careful not to let the throwing |
| of 12 o'clock and the thumb would rest straight | | | | arm pass behind the line. The stride should also be |
| underneath the ball at 6 o'clock. There should be | | | | on the line. Any variation from the line will |
| "daylight" between the ball and palm of the | | | | decrease accuracy. As the player releases the ball |
| throwing hand. This is the best grip for achieving | | | | he should concentrate on keeping his body on the |
| straight backspin and avoiding any "tailing" of the | | | | line. Many players spin off the line when they |
| ball. | | | | throw instead of following-through toward their |
| Arm Action | | | | target. |
| Arm action refers to the path the throwing arm | | | | Note: The chin MUST point toward the target. |
| travels from hand separation to release-point and | | | | Where the chin faces the eyes will face and the |
| follow-through. Baseball throwers must | | | | body will follow. |
| concentrate on breaking the hands and making a | | | | Squaring the Pivot Foot |
| big sweeping motion with the arm in order to | | | | The pivot foot (throwing hand-side) needs to be |
| stay long with the arm going back to a good | | | | "square" to the target. If the player starts by |
| power position. Power position refers to the | | | | facing the target when throwing the pivot foot |
| position where the player has the throwing arm | | | | should be opened 90 degrees toward the target |
| back, level with the shoulder or higher, and bent | | | | to allow for the closing of the front side (hips and |
| at the elbow. The throwing-hand index and middle | | | | shoulders). Failure to do this can result in poor |
| fingers should be point up forming a "V". The back | | | | accuracy and velocity. Many young players do not |
| of the throwing hand should face the thrower | | | | turn their pivot foot a full 90 degrees to their |
| while the palm of the throwing hand should face | | | | target. Squaring the pivot foot should be |
| away from the thrower. Practicing a good power | | | | emphasized to all players to ensure correct |
| position is essential in becoming a good thrower. | | | | throwing mechanics. |
| The front shoulder should always point at the | | | | It has been said many time that baseball is a |
| target and stay closed. As the player turns to | | | | game of catch, and the team that plays catch |
| throw, the glove-side elbow should be as high or | | | | the best will usually win. As a coach, teach your |
| higher than the throwing-side shoulder. The | | | | players the proper fundamentals of throwing and |
| throwing fingers must stay pointing up through | | | | you will win more games and develop your |
| release to get good straight backspin. When | | | | players. |
| throwing with a partner, young players should | | | | |