October 2018 - Fun-Attic

13.96 Million: Number of people who play baseball in the United States – twice the population of Paraguay. Making it the 3rd most popular sport in America.

Before the Pitch

Every great pitch stems from a great wind-up technique. Perfect your wind up in order to improve your pitch.

The Perfect Wind-Up

Start by facing the batter with your feet on the rubber pointing towards the home plate.

To begin the pitch, take a step back with your left foot, turn 90 degrees with your left shoulder pointing toward home plate.

Lift your left leg as you turn, bending at the knee.

Pitch while making a long stride towards home plate with your left foot, keeping it in line with your right leg.

The 7 Pitches Every Pitcher Should Master

Remember, pitchers are usually the focal point of every baseball match. A good pitcher is the hero of the game.

The Four-Seam Fastball

Facts:

1st pitch learnt -usually.

Fast and easy to place.

How to Grip:

Place your index and middle fingertips across the seams of the baseball. Place your thumb underneath the ball. Your thumb tip should rest on smooth leather, not on a seam. Don’t smother the ball, hold it with the fingertips.

How to Pitch:

Wind up and throw the ball as hard and fast as you can.

The Two-Seam Fastball

Facts:

Also called the “sinker”.

Fast and easy to place.

How to Grip:

Place your index and middle fingers directly on top of the seams – narrowest point between seams is best. Place your thumb directly underneath the baseball. Make sure your thumb tip does not touch the seam. Use your ring finger to balance the ball.

How to Pitch:

Hold the ball tightly until the point of release. Wind up and pitch hard.

The Slider

Facts:

Also called a “yakker” or “snapper”.

How to Grip:

Same as two seam fastball, only this time, place your middle and index fingers next to the right seam. Place your ring finger on the side of the ball and the thumb underneath the ball. Squeeze the ball between your middle finger and thumb. Pull your wrist in on the thumb side.

How to Pitch:

Wind up and throw. Make sure to keep your wrist loose as you release the ball.

The Curve Ball

Facts:

Uses optical illusion to confuse the batter.

How to Grip:

Place your middle finger along the bottom seam of the ball and your index finger next to your middle finger. The thumb should be placed on the back seam. This finger placement will give the ball a tight rotation so it can break.

How to Pitch:

Keep your elbow equal with your throwing shoulder – can be a bit higher but not lower. As you release the ball rotate your wrist out and down. The ball should rotate off your index finger as it leaves your hand.

The Circle Change-Up

The Curve Ball

Facts:

A slow pitch often used to confuse the batter.

How to Grip:

Make a circle by touching the tips of your thumb and index fingers. Place the baseball in your palm and hold it with the other three fingers. The baseball should fit snugly against your circle. Windup and pitch, making sure to hide your pitch style.

The Knuckle Ball

Facts:

One of the hardest pitches to throw.

Also one of the hardest pitches to hit.

How to Grip:

Position the ball in the same way as you would in the two-seam fastball without touching the seam. Instead of placing your fingers on the seam, dig your fingertips into the leather. Place your the under the ball.

How to Pitch:

Keep your wrist stiff and extend your fingers as you release the ball – as if you’re pushing the ball.

The Splitter Fastball

Facts:

Despite being called a fastball, the splitter is often used as an off-speed pitch

How To Grip:

Place your index and middle fingers outside the seams – the seams should lie between your fingers.. Place your thumb directly underneath the baseball. Make sure your thumb tip does not touch the seam. Use your ring finger to balance the ball.

How to Pitch:

Pitch as you would a two seam fastball.

To some, playing darts is a good way to have a little fun at the bar on a Friday or Saturday night. To others, playing darts is pretty serious business. In either case, knowing how to throw a dart is a pretty handy skill to have. In one scenario, that kind of skill will prevent you from injuring a fellow bar patron. In the other scenario, being a skilled dart player could equal winning thousands of dollars. While you may not have dreams of going pro, it’s still nice to learn how to throw a dart like one.

Grip a Dart Like a Pro

Image via Pixabay

Before you send that dart flying through the air on its journey you need to have a good grip on the dart. While there are many grips used by dart players, there are a few important rules to always keep in mind.

First, you should use at least three fingers. This is often the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. Some players will use four or five fingers for added stability when throwing. The only downside to adding more fingers to your grip is having to coordinate all fingers at once when releasing to ensure an accurate flight path.

Another important aspect of your grip is the strength used to hold the dart. You want a light but firm grip on the dart. If you have white fingertips or white knuckles when gripping your dart you are probably holding on too tight and it may be difficult to release the dart on target. Conversely, if you find the dart wobbling in your fingers as you go through the throwing motion then you may need to consider strengthening your grip to stabilize the dart.

Finally, any fingers that are not used in your grip should be positioned well away from the dart. This also includes your palm and other areas of the hand. A simple grip is an effective grip. Nothing is more frustrating than releasing a dart perfectly only to have an errant finger knock your shot off target ever-so-slightly.

Grip It and Take Your Shot

Once you have found a comfortable, effective grip you are ready to take your shot. Aiming your shot is, obviously, the most important aspect of shooting. Your motion could be perfect but if you are not aimed correctly then you will not get the results you want. Position yourself sideways with one foot in front of the other. If you throw right handed then you will want to have your right foot forward. Hold the dart at eye level to help you line up and visualize your shot.

Many dart players will lean forward. The further forward you lean, the closer you are to the dart board and the less distance your dart has to travel. Leaning forward too much, however, can cause strain on the back and negatively affect your aim. A small forward lean is best. Leaning back is not advised at all. This creates more distance between you and the dart board while also making your body less stable during the throwing motion.

As you throw it is important to keep your body as still as possible and let your arm do the work. Don’t lift your leg or shift from side to side as this will alter your balance and cause you to miss shots. The same rule applies to your torso. Keep your upper body as still as possible and allow your throwing arm to generate power. Twisting your body to generate power can cause you to lose accuracy and is unnecessary for the distance needed when playing darts.

Develop Your Own Personal Style

While there are some fundamental rules to darts, there is room for your own style. Try different grips and stances to see which works best for you. Experiment with your grip strength and the power you use to throw the dart. Change the amount of lean you put into your stance and see what works best for you.

Learning how to throw a dart is not an exact science. The only way to master the skill is to practice and then practice some more. Once you have settled on your own style then you may want to start playing more competitively. Try joining a local dart league or challenge some friends to a game where the loser pays for nachos. Learning how to throw a dart is one thing but throwing a dart under pressure is an entirely different skill. Good luck out there!

Featured Image via Pixabay

The 7 Most Important Baseball Pitches You Need To Know Today

Before the Pitch

The Perfect Wind-Up