12 to 6 Curveball - Sounds Great, But is it for You?

As young pitchers mature and get around the age of 15 there is a high interest in coming up with the "filthy" curveball. The one that will impress the head coach and also be the talk of the league. The overhand curve, the "12 to 6" breaker, is the hallmark for the great curve ball pitcher. Or is it?

Sure, if you have a directly overhand delivery you would love to master the overhand curve as a complement to the fastball and change. But what if you are a more common 3/4 arm delivery? Do you necessarily want the overhand curve with the 3/4 fastball? It may not be the right mix, even if the curve is a quality one. It takes a bit of common sense to see why.

All hitters at the higher levels of play are trained to pick up the release of the pitcher as quickly as possible. Most are taught to "box" the release point, or keep their eyes on the area of release, so they can pick up rotation of the ball sooner. The better the batter can read the pitch the better he can react and put the proper swing on or take the pitch if appropriate. As a pitcher you would like to mask your release as well as you can in order to put the hitter in as difficult a situation as possible. So if you are known to be a 3/4 arm delivery pitcher the hitters will be looking just out over your throwing shoulder for the release of the ball. So far this makes sense, right? Now a good 12 to 6 curve needs to be thrown overhand, in other words, its in a different release point. So if you throw your fast ball in one spot and your curve in another you are giving the batter an easy time of reading your pitches. Even with a very good curve you are against it because the hitter will have a chance to read it sooner. Every fraction of a second to a hitter is like an hour. Keep his reaction time low by throwing the curve and the fastball in the same slot with the same release point.

There is nothing wrong with a 10 to 4 (lefty) or a 2 to 8 (righty) curve if you are a 3/4 pitcher, as a matter of fact, if its thrown properly, it's coming at the hitter in two planes. In other words, it breaking both down and away (or in, depending on left or righty batter).

Now you may ask, "What if I can throw both fast and curve from both overhand and 3/4?" That would be great and if you can do that, go for it. BUT, remember you should have a number one pitching slot that you need to go to in pressure situations. If you are an overhand pitcher who will drop down occasionally for the fastball and curve that is effective, just remember you are an overhand pitcher and overhand is your best delivery. It's better to go down throwing with your best stuff in a tight situation. Many pitchers have second guesssed themselves by trying to be too tricky in the clutch and wind up disappointed in using their second best when it counted. Be ready to use your best when needed, you can better accept the results.

Throwing the curve takes repetition and patience. There is no shortcut for the curve, you need to find the best grip and a proper release for YOU and keep practicing. Don't let others try to change you unless you think it makes sense to try to change (i.e., you are struggling and not able to get the curve over the plate). Becoming a successful pitcher is a journey filled with turns and bumps. Keep your eye on the finish and learn from each outing.