How to Throw a Screwball in Softball

Though a softball is substantially larger than a regulation baseball, making it seem an easier target to hit, fast-pitch softball can be challenging for a batter as the ball is delivered from much closer. With this shorter delivery distance, a pitcher who develops the ability to pitch with multiple pitches that break in different ways on the way to the plate has the ability to dominate a game and carry a struggling lineup. The screwball features a hard break that can wreak havoc on a batter.

Things You'll Need

  • Softball
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Instructions

    • 1

      Grip the ball similarly to your preferred curve-ball grip. The exact placement of your fingers on the ball isn't important, as some elect to have their index and middle fingers running down the center of a panel of the ball, while others prefer to grip with their fingertips running perpendicularly across a seam.

    • 2

      Step toward the plate at an angle. Rather than driving straight toward the batter, step slightly in the direction of your lead leg when delivering the pitch.

    • 3

      Swing your delivering arm in a slicing motion, instead of delivering straight at the batter. At the backswing of your pitch, your hand should be held away from your body. As you swing down to deliver the pitch, begin to tuck your arm in toward your side so that you release from your normal release point. This arcing motion will help to put spin on the ball.

    • 4

      Flick your wrist as you release the ball to put a spin perpendicular to the plate on the ball. As you're releasing, turn your fingers on the bottom of the ball up and toward your body, and your thumb atop the ball down and away from your body. This spin will cause the ball to break in the direction of your throwing hand.

    • 5

      Change up your pitches. The screwball works best as a change-of-pace pitch; it shouldn't be relied upon as a primary pitch.