How to Grip a Knuckle Ball

If gripped and thrown properly, a knuckle ball should have little to no spin, allowing the natural friction of the surrounding air to act upon it. This natural friction causes the ball to flutter at random moments as it makes its approach to the batter. It is a very difficult pitch to hit and is, therefore, a cornerstone in many pitcher's arsenals. The throwing motion is relatively easy, with no clockwise or counterclockwise snap of the wrist on release, like a curve ball or screw ball. Just take the ball back and through, as though throwing a fastball, but grip it very differently.

Instructions

    • 1

      Locate the seams of the baseball, making note of the side with top and bottom stitches and the side with left and right stitches.

    • 2

      Hold the ball in your dominant hand, pressing the side with left and right stitches against your palm. This allows your fingers to grip the side with top and bottom stitches.

    • 3

      Place the tips of your index and middle fingers against the top stitch and hold the sides of the bottom stitch with your thumb and ring finger.

    • 4

      Take the ball back into a regular wind-up and throw the ball without breaking your wrist. Instead of rolling off your fingers the way the ball does for most any other pitch, it will pop out of your hand with little to no rotation.