- Aug 21, 2008
- 2,388
- 113
RISEBALL: There are some female pitchers who throw a "real" rise. The pitchers that do throw them dominate in HS and TB. It can be a good pitch in college as well, but the pitcher has to have really good control (which is true of any collegiate pitcher). A lot of pitchers (Rachel Garcia) throw a bullet spin pitch as a riseball...but there is more to it than simply "throwing a bullet spin pitch".
SCREWBALL: The 3-9 spin (RH pitcher, viewed from catcher) screwball is a fantasy. It doesn't exist. There are *ZERO* videos showing someone throwing a 3-9 spin pitch in a game. On the other hand, there are lots of videos of drops and riseballs. To throw a screwball, the pitcher steps left and throws right, so the ball comes in at an odd angle. Usually the pitch is thrown with bullet spin.
Agreed, the screwball does not do what people think it does. It's an inside pitch, period. And all the crazy and unnecessary movements pitchers do trying to achieve this unachievable pitch makes it even more crazy. People always say "but she gets people out with it!!!!" No, the correct answer is pitching inside is good and effective but lets be honest about what the pitch does (or doesn't do). A ball doesn't "move" if it's not spinning in the direction it's supposed to go in. Parents and coaches have to stop listening to 2 time Olympic Gold Medalist Michele Smith saying "screwball" every other pitch on ESPN and showing a pitch that goes inside. It's not "screwing" its angled. Again, I wouldn't want to face Crystal Bustos with that pitch.