Where are all the knuckle ballers?

Question

I understand that he may be an exception and not the rule, but with the success and longevity of Tim Wakefield and other knuckle ballers throughout the history of the game, why aren't there more of them? It may not be the most glamorous way to pitch, but you'd think as soon as a young baseball player realizes he likely won't be about to throw his fastball more than 85 mph he would start looking to other pitches, and the knuckle ball would top the list.

So what's the deal? Is it a wussy way to pitch of something, or is it just really difficult to master (compared to other pitches), and that's why you only see them every now and then?

Answer 1

It is a difficult pitch to master. Also very difficult for the catcher as it is unpredictable. However there have been some notable knuckle ball pitcher in the past including Hall of Famer Phil Neikro who pitched to the age of 48 and won 114 games after reaching age forty (318 career wins) and Charlie Hough who won 67 after 40 (216 total career wins) and pitched to the age of 46. I have always been surprised more pitchers did not attempt to master this pitch. Since Wakefield is only 40, it is possible he may pitch another 5 years or longer.

Answer 2

It's really because the pitch is so hard to throw accurately. You'd also have to be able to throw it well with lots of movement.

If more pitchers were able to throw the knuckleball, then those pitchers would be able to pitch longer because there really isn't that much velocity, and they would land on the disabled list much less often.

The only knuckleballers I can think of recently are Tim Wakefield, Steve Sparks, R.A. Dickey had something similar, and a pitcher on Houston (not there anymore).

Answer 3

It does help with longevity, because you don't have to throw it as hard, but it is just so unpredictable. If you can master any other pitch, you should probably go with that first. There are only 2 pitcher who are known as knuckleballers right now, and im not surprised.

Like Willie Stargell said, "Throwing a knuckleball for a strike is like throwing a butterfly with hiccups across the street into your neighbor's mailbox."

That seems hard to me

Answer 4

the pitch is just so hard to master and control at a decent speed (65-73 mph) a person could practice enough to reach a 95 mph fastball before they can control and throw a good 70 mph knuckler

Answer 5

Tim Wakfield in Boston

Answer 6

charlie haeger