How to Pitch a Gyro Ball

The gyroball is a pitch primarily used by Japanese pitchers. It was formulated in a lab by Japanese scientist Ryutaro Himeno and later perfected by baseball coach Kazushi Tezuka in 1995. The pitch is similar to an American football throw in that is rotates on an axis and appears to fly completely straight, and very fast. It has a break on it measured in feet and not the inches of an ordinary breaking ball. As of 2010, only one Major League Baseball pitcher, Red Sox Daisuke Matsuzaka, is believed to have the ability to throw a gyro ball, also known as the "demon" pitch.

Things You'll Need

  • Baseball
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Instructions

    • 1

      Hold a baseball loosely, much the same as one would hold onto an egg to avoid breaking it, with a gap between the pitcher's palm and the baseball.

    • 2

      Place the middle and index finger tips of the pitching hand onto the perpendicular seam of the baseball.

    • 3

      Rest the bent index finger of the pitching hand onto the "horseshoe" seam of the ball.

    • 4

      Place the thumb of the pitching hand onto the bottom of the baseball. The thumb should lay on the leather of the ball.

    • 5

      Stand with your shoulders and hips in line with one another.

    • 6

      Move the pitching arm forward and turn the pitching arm so the back of the hand is in view.

    • 7

      Turn your fingers in a downward motion and snap the wrist of the pitching arm backwards, much in the same way a curveball is thrown.

    • 8

      Turn the wrist of your pitching arm so that the palm of your hand faces forward just as the ball leaves your hand.

    • 9

      Repeat this process. The gyroball may take months or even years before you throw it correctly.