Which pitch should I learn?

Question

Should i learn the knuckleball, the spilt-finger, or make my slider better?

my slider is already pretty good and i can strike guys out with it but it really isn't my stikeout pitch (which is my curve ball)

Answer 1

slider has the best chance of getting you the farthest, but if you can master the knuckleball, which most people cant, that would be superb.

Answer 2

It all depends on how old you are, i know because i used to play high school ball, i was a catcher. If you are younger than 15 i would not suggest that you start to throw any kind of breaking pitches until you develop a little bit more, you could do real harm to your rotator cuff in the long run. The kind of pressure that you put on your arm can be tremendous for a young arm. But if you are over 15 years old i would start with the curve ball as it is the easiest pitch to throw, then you could learn a slider later on. In Baseball you need only 3 pitches to win #1 fastball, #2 curve ball, #3 change-up. You should first master these 3 pitches before you move on to anything else, what good is it if you throw 5 pitches,but don't throw them well then you wont win. Just keep it simple.

Answer 3

A HS pitcher needs three pitches:

* Fastball
* Change-Up
* Curve

Honestly, I view the knuckler as a gimmick pitch. Sure, it dances and its cool - but throwing a good one is more art than science. It takes a LOT of time to learn to throw it effectively, and your time is MUCH better spent learning the basic three: Fastball, Change-Up, Curve.

I am not a big fan of the Slider before college. It takes a toll on the arm - moreso than the curveball, believe it or not.

As for the split-finger - I say this without seeing you - but odds are pretty good that in HS, you haven't finished growing and your hands aren't large enough to throw one effectively.

I'm going to throw a couple of ideas at you, do with them what you will:

* Think less of "this is my strikeout pitch" and more "this is my out pitch". You may not strike them out on it, but you can keep them from making solid contact. This is ESPECIALLY true of the change-up. Don't think, "I need to strike them out with this change-up", think, "I need to get him hitting off his front foot with thie change-up".

* If you want to have any type of pitching career beyond HS, it is going to require the fastball. Constantly develop this. Try a cut fastball, two-seam fastball (slightly slower, more movement), four-seam (faster, less movement). These pitchers are your ticket to baseball beyond HS.

* When the time comes to throw a splitter, remember that it is not intended to be thrown when you need a strike. You don't want to leave this pitch up in the zone. It is an easier pitch to mash than a straight fastball.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

If you haven't already mastered it I suggest a change up. The ability to change speeds is the most under-rated parts of pitching. The knuckle ball is a gimmick pitch. There are like one or two Knuckle ballers in the majors at any time who can actually throw it well enought to succeed. Unless you are in your 20s it is not a good idea to try to develop a split finger as it will tear your elbow apart. Hello Tommy John surgery.

Answer 5

Make your slider better. A slider is an almost always strike out ball. It will do the most good.

Answer 6

Make your slider better, but I personally as a pitcher am in love with my breaking ball, In one nine inning game I stuck out 14,
8 looking with my breaking ball, 3 swinging, the others with my fastball

Answer 7

If you are a very young guy, you had better stay with an overhead motion fastball and learn good control. Throwing too many breaking pitches can ruin an arm, believe me I know! I guess a knuckeball is cool along with a changeup.

Answer 8

Actually, you'll need to learn all three. If you don't, you'll be too predictable to the batters. As a long time Cubs fan (save your condolences for later), Bruce Sutter's split finger fastball was virtually unhittable. Also, I've seen some amazing sinking curve balls, too. If you have the talent to develop those skills, will you please show up at Wrigley Field's general office on Monday morning? :)

Answer 9

I'd focus most on slider....but another good pitch that u shld learn thats not listed is the cutter.....it moves it has some speed and it isn't like throwing a curveball soo it won't bother your arm probably.....

Answer 10

Change up/slider... Depends on your velocity/accuracy. Ever watch Russ Ortiz or Robb Nen? Different styles, but very effective and fluid.

Good luck!