How To Throw A Screwball With A Wiffle Ball

how to throw a screwball with a wiffle ball

Have you ever wanted to throw a screwball with a wiffle ball? It’s not as hard as you might think! With a little practice, you’ll be able to throw a screwball that will make your friends and opponents do a double take.

The first step is to find the right wiffle ball. Not all wiffle balls are created equal. Some are harder than others, and some have more spin than others. You want to find a wiffle ball that is soft and has a lot of spin. Once you have your wiffle ball, you need to get a good grip on it. Place your index finger on top of the seam and your thumb on the bottom. Your other fingers should be curled around the side of the ball. Make sure you have a firm grip, but not too tight. You want to be able to release the ball smoothly.

Now it’s time to start throwing! To throw a screwball, you need to turn your wrist to the side as you release the ball. This will cause the ball to spin sideways, which will make it move erratically in the air. The more you turn your wrist, the more the ball will spin. You want to practice until you can throw a screwball that has a lot of spin and moves erratically in the air. Once you can do that, you’re ready to start throwing screwballs in a game!

The Art of the Screwball

The screwball is a devastating pitch in baseball, and it can be just as effective in wiffle ball. It’s a pitch that breaks in the opposite direction of a curveball, and it can be very difficult for batters to hit. To throw a screwball with a wiffle ball, you need to have a good grip on the ball, and you need to be able to snap your wrist at the release point.

The screwball is a great pitch to use when you’re trying to get a batter out on a strikeout. It’s also a good pitch to use when you’re trying to get a batter to ground out. If you can master the screwball, you’ll be a much more effective pitcher in wiffle ball.

Grip

The first step to throwing a screwball is to get a good grip on the ball. The most common grip is the “forkball” grip, which is shown in the table below.

Forkball Grip
Place your index finger and middle finger on the top of the ball, and place your thumb on the bottom of the ball.
Spread your fingers apart so that they are about shoulder-width apart.
Keep your wrist straight.

Gripping the Wiffle Ball for a Screwball

Gripping the Wiffle ball correctly is crucial for throwing an effective screwball. Here are the steps:

1. Hold the Wiffle ball with your dominant hand, palm facing down.

2. Place your index and middle fingers on the bottom of the ball, slightly to the side (about 10-15 degrees). Ensure that your fingers are not directly underneath the ball but rather slightly off to the side, creating an angle.

3. Rest your thumb on the opposite side of the ball for support.

4. Your fingers should be spread apart, forming a “V” shape between them.

5. Keep your wrist slightly bent and relaxed.

6. The ball should be positioned slightly below the center of your palm, with your fingers supporting the bottom-middle area.

This grip allows you to apply spin to the ball and create the desired screwball effect.

Ball Placement and Angle:

	Left-handed Thrower	Right-handed Thrower
Index and Middle Finger Placement	Bottom-left side of the ball, angled to the right	Bottom-right side of the ball, angled to the left
Thumb Placement	Opposite the fingers, on the top-right side	Opposite the fingers, on the top-left side
Wrist Angle	Slightly bent to the right	Slightly bent to the left

Advanced Techniques for Enhancing the Screwball

Curveball Style Release

Apply a curveball-style release, guiding the ball initially towards the second baseman before rotating the wrist inward at the last moment. This release creates a downward and sideways movement.

Extreme Finger Pressure

Exert extreme pressure on the ball with your ring finger, forcing it to spin rapidly. The greater the pressure, the more pronounced the screwball effect.

Palm Rotation

Incorporate palm rotation into the release. Rotate your palm downward as you release the ball, amplifying the sideways movement and increasing the effectiveness of the screwball.

Proper Location on the Seam

Identify the center of the vertical seam and grip the ball slightly to the left of it for right-handed pitchers (right of the seam for left-handed pitchers). This precise placement enhances the ball spin and trajectory.

Control and Accuracy

Mastering the screwball requires meticulous control and accuracy. Practice regularly to develop consistency and minimize errant throws. Begin by focusing on hitting your intended targets before gradually increasing the velocity and spin of the pitch.

Practice Drills for Perfecting the Screwball

Drill 1: Standing Sideways with Focus on Hand Placement

Stand sideways to the target, facing your non-throwing hand towards it. Keep your throwing arm relaxed and slightly bent, with your fingers in a V-shape. Focus on placing your thumb in a straight line with your middle finger, and ensure your index finger is slightly behind the ball.

Drill 2: 5-Foot Pivot Drill

Place two objects 5 feet apart, one in front and one behind you. Stand facing the front object and execute the screwball motion, turning your body 90 degrees as you release the ball. Repeat the process by pivoting around the other object.

Drill 3: Full-Motion Throw

Practice the full screwball throw in a controlled environment. Start by standing close to a wall and gradually increase your distance as you gain accuracy. Aim for the wall with a slight sideward motion to create the curve.

Drill 4: Target Practice with Varying Distances

Set up targets at different distances and practice throwing screwballs to each one. This will improve your control and ability to adjust your throw based on the target’s range.

Drill 5: Simulated Game Conditions

If possible, find a partner to practice with who can simulate game-like conditions. This will help you apply the screwball in a more realistic scenario and develop confidence in its effectiveness.

Drill 6: Extended Innings and Pitch Counts with Multiple Screwballs

As you progress in your practice, gradually increase the number of innings and pitch counts with multiple screwballs. This will build stamina and improve your ability to consistently execute the pitch. Consider using a table to track your progress:

Innings	Pitch Count	Screwball Count
1	10	3
2	15	5
3	20	7

The Science Behind the Screwball’s Defiance

The screwball is an elusive pitch that has baffled batters for decades. It’s a fastball that curves sharply inward, defying gravity and the laws of physics. But how does it work?

The key to the screwball lies in the Magnus effect. This effect is created when a spinning object moves through a fluid, such as air. The spinning object creates a difference in air pressure around it, which causes it to curve. In the case of a screwball, the pitcher spins the ball clockwise, creating a higher air pressure on the left side of the ball and a lower pressure on the right side. This difference in air pressure causes the ball to curve inward toward the batter.

The Magnus Force

The Magnus effect is calculated by the formula:

$F_M=\frac{1}{2}\rho v^2AC_L(Re)$

Where:

$F_M$ is the Magnus force (N)
$\rho$ is the fluid density (kg/m^3)
$v$ is the object’s translational velocity (m/s)
A is the object’s cross-sectional area (m^2)
$C_L$ is the lift coefficient, dependent on the object’s shape and the flow regime
$Re$ is the Reynolds number, a dimensionless parameter characterising fluid flow, calculated as:
$Re=\frac{\rho vD}{\mu}$

Ball Design and Spin Rate

The design of the ball and the spin rate also play a role in the magnitude of the Magnus force. A ball with a larger diameter will have a greater Magnus force than a ball with a smaller diameter. A ball with a rougher surface will also have a greater Magnus force than a ball with a smoother surface. The spin rate of the ball is also important. A ball with a higher spin rate will have a greater Magnus force than a ball with a lower spin rate.