Why do baseball players throw sideways instead of over?

Question

im not really talking about the pitching, but from 2nd to 1st or 3rd base to 1st.

If its for accuracy, how is a side arm throw more accurate?

Answer 1

Most of the time you see this in the infield play. There are 2 main reasons for it.

1. They need to clear around a player running. Trying to get a double play or prevent someone from scoring will need a player to avoid hitting a runner. Throwing "sidearm" will help.

2. Less setup time while on the move. Having to set and throw overhand while in the infield will take a while. Throwing sidearm is a better option on the move for the infield.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I played alot of baseball in my life (alot of 3rd and short). Once you get used to throwing sideways, it's alot easier. The control is actually much better and considerably more flexible. There is a "feel" to the throw that is much finer and more natural.

Imagine bending over to scoop a ground ball and having to throw from a bent position. It's nearly impossible to throw it overhand - you'd have to straighten up, position yourself and then throw. By that time, the runner's safe.

I've also pitched (high school) and once you get used to throwing the ball all game long from 'over the top" and suddenly get a grounder, it's hard to make the adjustment to a sideways throw. That's why most pitchers still throw overhand to first base on grounders (or will underhand the ball). I've seen pitchers try and make a pickoff move to second base and throw it into the outfield constantly because their arm is used to one motion (over the top, fast and the legs must be in a certain position).

With a sideways throw, you can even make the throw sitting down.

Finally there is the real issue of playing 162 games. You can't keep zipping the ball over the top, game after game. The arm will wear out. Throwing sideways, 3/4s, etc.. allow infielders to throw every single day, twice on Sundays:-) without problems.
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Answer 3

For some players, (like me) it is a lot easier to throw sidearm. Like several of other people already said, it is good for throwing around people. It is also quicker, because you don't have to go through the motion of throwing overhand. It can also be a faster throw, because of the snap you can get on the ball. But the accuracy may take practice. You just have to learn when to release the ball.

Answer 4

During a double play the player covering second base will drop down to the side to make the base runner gets down (out of the way) thus preventing injury to himself.Also it is a more natural throwing motion to throw straight over the top is an unnatural move.I have been playing competitive softball for at least 20 years and I think this motion has helped save my arm from injury.

Answer 5

The simple answer is they shouldn't be, and it's a breakdown in technique (although it is easier on the shoulder joint).

But it's not for accuracy. Throwing sidearm puts the release point on a horizontal plane. Think of it this way: If you're a shortstop throwing to first, and you release it too soon or too late, the ball will go wide of the first baseman and he'll have to stick an arm way out to get it.
Throwing it overhand puts the release point on a vertical plane, which helps the first baseman dig it out of the dirt if it's too low, where he can block it with his body and still remain stretched out (which they do to try to get the ball that much sooner).

Hope that helps.

Answer 6

Really a fielder should get set and throw overhand if there is time, but thowing to the side is really a comfort thing. If you watch, when player throw as hard as they can, they do usually thow overhand, but if they try to do it sidearm, they run the risk of injury. If there is plenty of time, that is when the sidearm motion is used because it is just a more casual and easy motion.

Answer 7

Less time to throw, because that's the way your feet our set up already. And some people throw that way to get the runner coming from 1st to slide under the throw.

Answer 8

It is just easier physiologically. Infielders who are coverted to outfielders, though, have to learn to throw overhand. Some never do.

The same basic phenomenon can be seen in a football quarterback with a short sidelines pattern (sidearm flip) vs. a long bomb (overhand).

Answer 9

The closer you get to throwing underhand, the more natural your arm is likely to rotate. It puts less stress on your rotator cuff, but its not necessarily the most accurate way to throw.

Answer 10

I think it has to do with the rotator cuff...Thowing sideways probably is less likely to cause injury to the player than throwing overhanded...