How do you hold a screwball in baseball?

Answer 1

It's hard to explain. please see the links below.

Answer 2

The key to a screwball is not how you hold it as much as the rotation of your wrist when the ball is released. I know some pitchers (probably not all) typically place the fingers in the 11, 1, and 4 o'clock positions (assuming you are right-handed).

But instead of turning your wrist in the direction toward your pinky finger like a curveball, you twist it in the OPPOSITE direction, towards your thumb. This is very unnatural for most people, and difficult to master. It's also a big strain on your arm. But to those who are skillful enough to throw it, it causes the ball to break in the opposite direction you would expect from a right hander (or left hander). That's what makes it so difficult to hit!

Answer 3

The grip is identical to a curveball except you turn your wrist in the opposite direction. Can you say Juan Marichal?? probably the best screwball pitcher

Answer 4

The other posters have it right. You have to turn your wrist in the opposite direction of a curveball. It used to be called the "fadeaway" and it was used by Christy Mathewson and most notably by Carl Hubbell with he struck out I think it was 7 straight all-stars in the 1934 All-star game including Babe Ruth and Jimmie Fox. It is amazingly effective but I think Hubbell had his wrist turn outwards..almost permanently due to the strain on the forearm and wrist.

Answer 5

the grip isn't as important as the rotation put on the ball. reverse direction of a "normal" curve ball. the amount of rotation determines the amount of "break". Matt Keough of the A's threw one that was almost like a reverse slider, Juan Marichal had a monsterous 12-6 screw.

Answer 6

Like a curve release is different.