Predicting a Pitched ball?

Question

Any techniques on how can I determine what kind of ball is coming?
example a curve ball, slider?
I noticed the threads is not visible when its a fastball I saw threads when its a curve ball.
Any suggestions?

Answer 1

arm motion
hand grip

Answer 2

There are a few different methods. The first one, though not recommended is for the lower levels. Watch the forearm on the pitching hand before the wind up. Normally pitchers grab the ball in a natural fastball motion, and have to change the grip with the ball in their glove so you will see some movement from the pitching hand. Another way is to watch the ball from the second it comes out of the glove. Many people can notice the grip on the baseball as well. If the arm comes up and the hand stays on top of the ball, with the wrist ****** then a curveball is coming because that would mean that the pitcher is getting a downward break on the ball. For a slider, most non-advanced pitchers change the angle of their arm to accentuate that "slide" in the ball. But the best way to know if it is a slider is to actually watch the ball. If a slider is coming you will see the seems for a red dot about the size of a dime from the point it leaves the pitchers hand up untilt he point it gets to you. The most difficult to diagnose is a GOOD changeup. A lot of pitchers will slow down their motion tipping off to the changeup, but if you can follow the ball again as always from the time it leaves the glove in the hand, the grip is decisively different. Some pitchers have their fingers in the air, almost all have the tips of the fingers slightly elevated off of the ball. Also the real good changeups from a right handed pitcher break down and in to a righty, so you will see the wrist going towards the opposite position then on a curveball so to get the opposite break. Splitters and forkballs tend to have less spin and can be easier to pick up. And as for a knuckleball, just close your eyes and say a prayer. One last thing. Know who is on base, and who is up after you. If there is a fast runner on first, you will see more fastballs. Just as if there is a good hitter behind you since they do not want you to get on, their emphasis will be on keeping the pitch in the strike zone, rather then their off-speed pitcher.
Hope that helped.

Answer 3

never anticipate a pitch...sit on the fastball and adjust to any off speed. True, the count matters, but not as much as you think. If the pitcher has you 0-2, most high schoolers would think curveball. Thats nonsense, on 0-2 the pitcher isnt going to throw yuo anything near the plate..he'll either go outside of extremely high to get you to chase. As far as digging into the mitt, a good pitcher will do that periodically to make you think a splitter is coming, and then throw a fastball right by you. Once your eye is trained, you will be able to decipher the spin of a curveball, splitter, slider, 2 and 4 seam fastball. One thing that always helps me as a hitter, especially if im in a hole, is to remember the following: don't sit on a particular pitch, sit on a strike. If you stay patient and adjust, you can hit a slider just as hard as you can hit a fastball.

Answer 4

Picking up the spin on the ball is one way. Another is to study the pitcher when you're in the dugout and in the on-deck circle. Watch his release point, mechanics, and motion through the pitch. Many pitchers will tip their pitches. (i.e. digging into his glove for grip before the wind-up- breaking pitch +slider/curve+) Not all pitchers are the same, so scout intently while watching teammates atbats. Also, discuss what the saw during their atbats. If there were a simple answer, everyone could hit for a high average

Answer 5

A curve ball will appear as though someone has taken a bit out of one edge. A slider will appear to have a red dot in the middle of the ball.

But what you need to understand even before this is what types of situations would require what types of pitchers. What is a running count, for example, which would increase the probability of seeing fastball. After that, you need information on what any given pitcher actually has in their personal arsenal. Then, of course, how that that pitcher pitched to you in past (what have you noticed by keeping your own book on pitchers)?

Answer 6

i used this during my 4 years of HS baseball, all of which i spent on varsity in a very very good leauge,well yea for one i would say to start off know the count and hit according to it, im assuming you play in HS ? well... take this for instance 85% of the time in these 4 situation yoou will see a fastball. 0-0,2-0, 3-1, 3-2. and in these count you have a greater chance of seeing a braking ball-0-2, 1-2, look at a picther see if he tips his picthes and see what he like to throw in different counts, most HS picthers start guy first picth fastball away they just feel they wont be hurt that way. see if a picther slows down his delievery when throwing a curve, or if he throws his off speed picthes from different arm angles or messes with the ball before he thorws the picth. now when lookin at the picther while hes starting to come to the plate look at where the ball consistently comes from pick a window were he releases the ball to look at and look for this simple thing, if u see his plam its a fastball if you see half of his hand its a curve. theres other ways to do it, but thats all the stuff i used for picth recognition

Answer 7

I don't know how old you are but there is so little time from when the pitcher releases the ball to when you have to swing.The best is an educated guess,that's why you see so many ML'ers look so bad on some pitches they guessed wrong.A good scouting report will tell you the pitchers tendencies, and what he usually throws in a certain situation

Answer 8

That's kinda the trick isn't it? If you can use the split second that the ball is visible in the pitcher's hand before release, that is a huge advantage. Take it from a former minor league baseball player, it's not that easy. A lot of it is based on guessing and knowing the pitcher you are facing and his tendencies. KNOW the pitcher you are facing! Do your homework!

Answer 9

Well 2 determine a curve ball you can see the pitchers elbow and arm do a funky twist. a sinker is when they thro straight over the top. a fast ball is when they wind up ear lvl

Answer 10

Well, if you have a teammate on first or second base, they would usually tell you what pitch is coming because they can see the signs the catcher is giving to the pitchers.