Natural Ball Movement

[Fivensbaseball]

Is there such a thing as a pitcher having Natural Ball Movement or is there an explanation as far as grip etc etc

[scorekeeper]

Is there such a thing as a pitcher having Natural Ball Movement or is there an explanation as far as grip etc etc

The only way a ball changes horizontal direction, is to have some kind of rotation or orientation that creates a different amount of air pressure on one side of the ball as opposed to the other. Usually a pitcher does that on purpose by using different grips, arm angles, etc.. But its entirely possible that a pitcher’s NORMAL grip, arm angle, etc. is such that it makes the ball move just as a matter of course.

Its not so much about the movement as much as its about being different from the way most pitchers throw the same pitch.

[Mark H]

I've seen kids that couldn't throw anything straight. One looked like his ball wasn't doing that much but no one could ever get a clean hit on him. When he played short, F3 had to watch it all the way into the glove. Just a little late movement due to spin axis.

[rkbenn]

Yes. Everything SK said, plus finger pressure on the ball.

[Mark H]

Which is another way to slightly tilt the axis of rotation.

[songtitle]

Ball movement is the key to riches. (many can hit spots)

[korp]

Arm slot, finger pressure, grip all can cause 'natural movement'.

[Ursa Major]

Is there such a thing as a pitcher having Natural Ball Movement or is there an explanation as far as grip etc etc?
Yes.
Of course there's a physical explanation, but it may be that the player naturally (i.e., as a matter of habit) causes that set of physical circumstances to exist that result in movement.

In most cases you're talking about a ball that 'tails' -- goes to the right from a righty or left from a lefty. I find this usually happens with kids with (a) a low 3/4 arm slot, (b) strong hands, and (c) gripping the ball over the top (almost wrapping) with a late finger snap.

I remember years back rectruiting a guy new to our office to a slo pitch softball team. He didn't look like much -- sort of a nebbish -- skinny, balding, with a wispy moustache. He looked pretty good in practice so the coach let him start at shortstop (I was the first baseman). First grounder to him he scoops it up and fires a rocket toward me, that makes a right turn as it crossed the pitcher's mound and ended up near the visitor's dugout. Turns out that he was a former college pitcher with an absolute gun. After that, I had to position my target as far out towards right field as I could stretch, and the ball would float right into the base. And that was with a softball...