The Recommended Pitches for Youth Baseball Players

Baseball pitching is an enjoyable pastime, although kids who are serious about pitching should take extra caution. Youth baseball pitchers are highly susceptible to micro-trauma in the elbow and shoulder due to excessive overuse while muscles and joints are still growing and developing, according to Mississippi State University. The odds of a youth baseball pitcher needing surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament -- "Tommy John" surgery -- continue to increase with each passing year. Proper coaching and limiting the number of pitches and throwing only those pitches recommended for youth ballplayers is the best way to keep children safe and successful.

  1. The Fastball

    • The fastball is the most essential pitch in all of baseball. This pitch is altered slightly, depending on the grip. This pitch can be thrown as a two-seam or four-seam fastball. Two-seam fastballs are gripped by laying the index and middle finger directly over the narrowest part of the dual seams. The four-seam pitch uses the same fingers, perpendicular over the area on the ball where the seams form a large, single curve. The two-seam fastball creates movement when thrown, while the four-seam pitch is a straight-one heater. Both fastballs rotate in a forward motion, from top to bottom.

    The Curve Ball

    • The curve ball produces the exact opposite effect of the fastball. This pitch rotates backwards, cutting down speed and slicing the ball through the air in various directions. Position your middle finger on the bottom seam of the ball and loop your thumb around to grip the back seam. Keep the index finger raised off of the ball. As the pitch is snapped forward the thumb twists upward and the middle finger rotates downward to generate the backspin. This pitch is an easy and ideal pitch to teach youngsters -- although proper coaching is necessary to ensure proper delivery and elbow and shoulder joint safety.

    The Changeup

    • Throwing the changeup is a beneficial way for children to learn the overall feel of the baseball. Keeping the fingers wide, grip the ball by looping the index, middle and ring finger over the face of the ball. Pull the pinky and thumb under the ball to rest against the smooth portion of the leather. This ball is thrown overhand and generates a advantageous "off speed" pitch. The wind up and release is similar to a fastball, while the speed is more identical to a curve ball. This pitch is helpful for kids with small hands who otherwise have difficulty gripping the ball.

    The Slider

    • The slider is the fastest pitch in baseball, except for the two-seam and four-seam fastball. Handled almost identical to the two-seam fastball, the grip of the slider places the middle and index finger slightly off-center, where the middle finger is resting entirely on the seam of the ball. Generate pressure off of the thumb-side of the ball as it releases. This release speeds the ball forward, where the ball then cuts through the air once it reaches home plate. This pitch is difficult for batters to hit because of its late movement. Youth pitchers must not make the mistake of spinning their wrist when the pitch is thrown to maintain arm, hand and wrist health.