Mastering the Knuckle Ball

                                By Jodi L. Robinson, Assistant Coach

                                         Boston University

In the development of young pitchers, it is most important to master the mechanics of the pitching motion before
moving on to off speed and movement pitches. If your pitcher has not done this, the development of 'junk' pitches
such as a rise, drop or curve will be difficult and unsuccessful. This rule applies to a change-up A change-up can
be your pitcher's best friend and most effective pitch.

The type of change-up that can be most effective in fastpitch softball is the knuckle ball. This pitch is so effective
because it deceives the hitter into thinking a pitch with a higher speed is being thrown. This is done by the
pitcher delivering the same pitching motion as a fast ball (with a few minor differences) with the ball traveling at
a substantially lesser speed than any other pitch The batter will be surprised and become off balance, throwing
off timing and hitting mechanics.

Proper development of the knuckle ball begins with the basic mechanics of the pitching motion. In comparing
the fast ball and the knuckle ball, there are two basic differences.

          1) At release point, the arm is stopped and the ball is released, almost as if the ball is "popping" out
          of the pitcher's hand.

          2) The wrist does not break or snap at release point.

All other mechanics of the pitching motion such as arm speed, stride length, or leg drive are the same. Before
starting to teach your pitcher to throw the knuckle ball here are three important points:

          1) GRIP: The ball should be facing her palm with the "C" shape seam Index, middle, and ring finger
          are bent with the first knuckle of each finger on the seam. The thumb and pinky fingers wrap around
          each side of the ball. The ball must be as far back in the palm as possible.

          2) RELEASE POINT: At the side of the push-off leg with a straight, firm palm and the inside fiat part
          of the wrist facing the catcher, fingers push mg the ball out of the hand.

          3) ROTATION OF THE BALL: The ball will not have a rotation and the seams of the ball should be
          easily seen. The ball will look as if it is floating to the catcher.

The first step in developing this pitch is having your pitcher become comfortable with the grip. Make sure your
pitcher's hands are big enough to hold the ball properly; if not, you can have her use two knuckles on the ball
instead of three. Then, start your pitcher in her stride position (open hips towards third base and stride foot
towards the catcher) using one fourth of her arm motion. This will isolate the release and arm motion, having the
pitcher concentrating on only a straight wrist and "popping" the ball out of her hand. From that point, once your
pitcher is comfortable, not breaking or snapping her wrist, and has very little spin on the ball, you can increase
the amount of the pitching motion to starting at one half (adding push-off, leg drive, and follow-through), then to
full motion. And with a knuckle ball, alternating throwing fast balls and knuckle balls is a great way to stress the
similarities in mechanics Remember, when your pitcher is learning how to throw new pitches, returning to the
beginning is always very helpful.

If you encounter that your pitcher is having difficulty throwing this pitch, some trouble spots may be that she does
not have enough arm speed or does not keep her arm speed consistent through the entire motion, or her stride
length may not be as long as her fast ball. Her is one last VERY IMPORTANT point: this pitch can only be
mastered by using proper mechanics and by throwing it over and over again!