Knuckle Balls: The Floater

There are multiple types of knuckle balls. Including the floater, which I will be describing how to hold and release this pitch. Knuckle balls are rarely thrown correctly and a correct form usually leads to upsetting and disorienting batters, and is usually very exciting to see a perfect knuckle ball thrown in a game. Understanding how to throw and when to use this pitch doesn’t guarantee success, it takes hours of practice and passion, to master anything, including being able to throw the strangest pitches in the game. In this case the floater.

How to Hold

When holding this pitch, make sure to have your middle and index nails are comfortably grasping into the ball (Clark 39). Also make sure that your index and middle fingers are in the center between the stitching. Be sure to have your thumb resting slightly above the bottom stitching and held tight against your palm (Clark 40). Your remaining two fingers should be curled with your ring finger resting just underneath the top stitch like so:

The Release

When releasing, the goal of the pitch is to have no spin or as little as possible on the ball. This creates a whiffle-ball like affect, meaning when the ball is thrown the stitches act like wings and create turbulence causing the ball to move unpredictably. This is why the floater is a very useful pitch against batters.

When releasing the floater once you get to your release point begin to push off your index and middle finger like so, but be very careful to fully throw the ball completely and don’t just rely on your wrist and fingers, not using your entire arm can cause injury (Clark 41).

Once you have started the release keep pushing off the with your index and middle fingers. This is to ensure that the ball keeps from spinning.

 

Extra Tips

When throwing the floater (or any other pitch) it is best not to look at the ball when it is being thrown, rather focus on where you want the ball to go also known as your target (Clark 43). When first learning to throw floaters, or any pitch, be sure that your catcher knows when you’re are going to throw it. This is helpful for two reason: your catcher can see much more than you can and he can help make adjustments to help with your throw. Another reason is if you are a catcher, you would like to know what is being thrown at you beforehand (Clark 43).

Source:

Clark, Dave. Chicago: Ivan R. Dee, 2006. Print.