In Baseball How Does A Pitcher Throw A Curveball
The secret behind the curveball is the spinning action created when the pitcher releases the ball.
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A successful major league batter gets a hit only 30 percent of the time he comes to bat. One of the ways pitchers lower these chances even further is by throwing a curveball. A curveball is a pitch that appears to be moving straight toward home plate but that is actually moving down and to the right or left by several inches. Obviously, a pitch that curves is going to be harder to hit than a fastball that is moving straight. To throw a curveball, a pitcher must hold the baseball between his thumb and his index and middle fingers, with the middle finger resting on the baseball seam. When the pitcher comes through his motion to throw the ball, he snaps his wrist downward as he releases the ball, which gives the ball topspin. If the pitcher throws properly, the back of the his hand will be facing the batter at the end of the motion. The ball will break down and away from a right-handed batter if thrown by a right-handed pitcher.
The spinning action created when the pitcher releases the ball is the secret behind the curveball. This spinning causes air to flow differently over the top of the ball than it does under the ball. The top of the ball is spinning directly into air. The bottom of the ball is spinning with the air flow. The air under the ball is flowing faster than air on top of the ball creating less pressure, which forces the ball to move down or curve. This imbalance of force is called the Magnus Effect, page_seo_titled for physicist Gustav Magnus, who discovered in 1852 that a spinning object traveling through liquid is forced to move sideways.
Adding to the air pressure exerted on the ball are the 108 red stitches that hold the cover on the ball. Because they are raised, the stitches increase the amount of friction created as the air passes around the ball and places more air pressure on top of the ball. A well thrown curveball can move as much as 17 inches either way. If you've ever seen a batter jump out of the way of a baseball that ends up crossing over the plate, you've seen a good curveball.EntertainmentThe BasicsHow the Physics of Baseball WorksEntertainmentThe Basics5 Unforgettable Baseball ScandalsEntertainmentThe BasicsWhat are the 9 baseball positions?EntertainmentThe BasicsHow Baseball's American League WorksEntertainmentThe BasicsIs baseball really an American invention?EntertainmentThe BasicsHow Baseball's National League WorksEntertainmentThe BasicsHow Baseball Drug Testing WorksEntertainment1990s1994 Baseball SeasonEntertainmentEarly 1900s1901 Baseball Season RecapEntertainment1950s1959 Baseball SeasonEntertainment2000s2002 Baseball SeasonEntertainment1980s1985 Baseball SeasonEntertainment1980s1980 Baseball SeasonEntertainment1960s1961 Baseball SeasonEntertainment1970s1974 Baseball SeasonEntertainmentEarly 1900s1908 Baseball Season RecapEntertainmentEarly 1900s1903 Baseball Season RecapEntertainmentEarly 1900s1905 Baseball Season RecapEntertainment1980s1981 Baseball SeasonEntertainment1920s1924 Baseball Season RecapEntertainment1960s1960 Baseball SeasonEntertainment1920s1920 Baseball SeasonEntertainment1920s1923 Baseball SeasonEntertainment1920s1926 Baseball Season RecapEntertainment1920s1921 Baseball SeasonEntertainment1920s1922 Baseball SeasonEntertainmentThe Basics5 Common Baseball InjuriesEntertainmentThe Basics10 Legendary Baseball CursesEntertainmentThe BasicsWhat's a double play in baseball?EntertainmentThe BasicsWhat's the obstruction rule in baseball?EntertainmentThe BasicsHow the Baseball Hall of Fame WorksEntertainmentYouth CoachingUltimate Guide to Coaching Little League BaseballEntertainmentThe BasicsHow Minor League Baseball Teams WorkEntertainmentThe BasicsHow to Break In a Baseball GloveEntertainmentThe Basics5 Fantasy Baseball Draft TipsEntertainmentThe Basics5 of Baseball's Most Dramatic UpsetsEntertainmentThe BasicsWhat's the difference between the American and National Baseball Leagues?EntertainmentThe BasicsQuick Reference: Baseball Positions and Their EquipmentEntertainmentThe Basics5 Most Expensive Baseball Cards in the WorldEntertainmentThe BasicsBaseball Hits: Fair or Foul?EntertainmentThe BasicsWhy does the strike zone change in baseball?EntertainmentThe BasicsHow can I meet my favorite baseball team?EntertainmentBackyard Fun & Games5 Safety Tips for Backyard BaseballEntertainmentThe Basics10 Worst Trades in Baseball HistoryEntertainmentThe Basics5 Strategies for a Better Baseball GameEntertainmentThe Basics5 Baseball Leagues from Around the WorldEntertainmentThe Basics5 Ways to Cheat in Baseball (that Aren't Steroids)EntertainmentSecond BaseDid Jackie Robinson Really Break Baseball's Color Barrier?EntertainmentThe Basics5 Worst Cases of the Yips in BaseballEntertainmentThe Basics5 Biggest Winning Streaks in Baseball HistoryEntertainmentThe Basics5 Baseball Players Sent Back to the MinorsEntertainmentThe Basics5 Biggest Losing Streaks in Baseball HistoryEntertainmentClub & Intramural SportsHow to Start Your Own Baseball LeagueEntertainmentThe Basics5 Major Rule Changes in the History of BaseballEntertainmentThe Basics5 Bat-and-ball Games That Predate BaseballEntertainmentThe BasicsIn baseball, how does a pitcher throw a curveball?EntertainmentThe BasicsHow does a 'perfect game' in baseball work?EntertainmentThe BasicsHow Do Groundskeepers Make Patterns in Baseball Fields?EntertainmentThe BasicsWhen a baseball player hits a home run, how do they know how far the ball traveled?EntertainmentTV ShowsHow Baseball Great Willie Mays Became the Catalyst for 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'EntertainmentThe BasicsBaseball Diamond
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