Are you a great hitter, but find it difficult to consistently connect on breaking pitches? Well, if so, you’re not the lone ranger when it comes to sporadic contact with curveballs. Many batters struggle with breaking balls despite having sound mechanics. Even though it’s much easier to hit a ball moving on a level plane, the majority of us would rather swing at the fastballs. Unfortunately for us all, most pitchers have more than the one pitch in their arsenal.
Identifying a breaking ball
The spin of a breaking pitch is completely different than that of a fastball. Since fastballs roll off the fingertips, the baseball will develop a backwards spinning rotation. Breaking balls, on the other hand, will have a forward rotation simply because the pitcher cocks his wrist and releases the ball with a quick snap of the wrist. Pitches with sideways or even diagonal spin, such as sidearm curveballs and sliders, will break on a horizontal plane.
Tips for improving your chances
Swing for the future. Once you’ve identified the pitch as a breaking ball, calculate it’s trajectory and adjust your swing accordingly. If the pitch is approaching you appears thigh-high, it will very likely end up around your knees. Adjust your swing or you’ll notice something missing once you’ve uncoiled — no vibrations from contact. See “other keys to success” below for tips on identifying a pitcher’s breaking ball trajectories.
Shorten your swing. Long swings require greater bat speed, expert vision, more time and must be initiated once the ball is released. You have to decide on the swing as soon as you see the pitch. Shortening your swing allows you precious time to process the pitch mentally before committing your hands.
Look to the opposite field for success. The slower pitches encourage hitters to be way out in front of the pitch and hitting a curveball out in front of the plate is a no-no. Many hitters try to pull breaking pitches due to the decreased velocity, which in reality produces weak ground balls to the pull-side or even worse, infield pop-ups. Once a breaking pitch has been identified, force yourself to wait, then whack it to the opposite field with authority.
Other keys to success
Other strategic points to remember: a) If you’re ahead of the count, restrain from swinging at any breaking pitches. Accurate curveballs are tougher to throw then hit. You’ll be wise to holster your bat. There’s not much point in chasing a curveball unless it’s hanging when you’re ahead in the count. b) During warmups and especially while you’re on deck, watch the pitcher closely to get a great idea of his range. Watch where the breaking pitches cross the plate and you’ll have a better idea of the trajectory when you’re in the box.
Giovanni Badalamenti currently lives in Pittsburgh, but roots for the Tampa Bay [Devil] Rays, the Yankees and anyone playing the Boston Red Sox. One of his favorite moments in baseball is the Bill Buckner error in 1986. Follow Giovanni on Twitter @DotmanGio.
Read more on baseball from this contributor:
“Baseball’s Winningest Pitchers”
“Baseball’s Greatest Pitchers Versus the Greatest Hitters”
“A fan’s thoughts on hitting and baseball’s greatest hitters”
Sources:
Mark Gola and John Monteleone, “The Louisville Slugger Complete Book of Hitting Faults and Fixes”; 2001