Throwing a Curveball

Ask any Little League coach why they like to throw a curveball. The response you'll receive 9 out of 10 times is that the opposing team cannot hit it. It's not a secret that one of the most difficult pitches for a hitter to make contact with at any age, is one that has both a change of speed and direction. Because of its success getting young hitters to swing and miss, coaches will rely on it and in turn over throw it.  As young pitchers continue to develop, many are unable to command the two most basic pitches, a fastball and change up due to the short term success of a curveball. Add to the repetitive "2" call from the catcher during a single the impact of a spring, summer and fall travel program, a young pitcher's only hope to avoid arm troubles is that they are throwing it correctly.

There are many ways an instructor may attempt to teach throwing a curveball correctly. I've heard of a "safety curve" or throwing a baseball like a football. I've heard of a pitched called a slurve, but not a curve and my all time favorite ... the "cutter." I personally, have only found one to be consistent and "safe." To throw a curveball as if you were turning a door knob, over a tree in front of you and back under. Check it out, see for yourself at baseballmentorz.com. Remember, "Pain Free Mechanics Last a Lifetime" 

"Squish the Bug"

There are very few hitters in the world that have never been told to "Squish the Bug" at some point in their baseball career. Heck, I was told to "Squish the Bug" so many times that I implemented into my own personal instruction. Wow, was I WRONG! So how do we fix it? What then, should a hitter be thinking? Check out the pictures at www.baseballmentorz.com and follow the instructional tabs provided. Thanks for stopping by and "Hit 'em Hard or Not at All."