- Jul 14, 2008
- 1,796
- 63
BOARDMEMBER - I am sitting here watching the replay of the college world series and it seems like to me that Stacey Nelson is throwing an combination of a screwball and a drop ball. HOW IS SHE DOING THAT in context of the internal/external discussion? Thanks for the "stuff" on the change (awesome)!
Of course without the benefit of watching the same video, here's what I'll offer.........
As I've said before, rotation of the ball is NOT 2 dimensional........
If you start with 6-12 spin on a clock face (when viewed from the mound), and turn that clock face so the "3" is closer to you and the "9" moves away from you, you will be imparting "INWARD AXIS" 6-12 spin.........That is actually how I teach fastball.........
Internal rotation is STILL going on.......but the thumb comes off earlier, when the ball is still slightly orientated slightly outside the wrist. When this happens, the spin will result in "inward/forward rotation", or from the mound, approx. an 8-2 axis of the 6-12 rotation.........The Result, is a "bite" inward/downward under the hands..............
Capish?...........
Here's a caviot.........
When young pitchers are being taught to throw the ball......They should be missing INSIDE from imparting slightly more inward spin then forward spin...........
All of my very young RH pitchers ALWAYS hit more RH batters then any other pitchers around, because they are learning internal rotation with a release that facilitates maximum velocity.........Which causes the ball to be released with slightly inward rotation........