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READING THE BALL
By Dr. John Bagonzi
The desire and interest to study the alignment of the ball in flight is often times what separates the astute pitcher from the ones that allow chance to be their guideline. The pitcher who is constantly searching for ways of improving the action of the ball is surely enhancing the artistic development of his craft.
There is a category of pitchers who possess and pursue this tendency, but it is equally amazing that there are those that have little or no understanding of the physics of a thrown ball. In reality this is the next level of thinking in pitching. Developing expertise in understanding the nuances of a thrown ball is the zone of the purists, and herein lies the art for those who crave for exactness.
Its astounding how few baseball people can “read the ball.” One might ask “what do you mean?” Essentially it is: 1) detecting the type and direction of the spin 2) visualizing the axes (dots) 3) understanding the quality of rotation which makes the ball act.
Real good batters are likely quite adept at “reading the ball,” and recognizing spins which enhances their ability to choose a pitch carefully.
Reading the ball requires an aerodynamic awareness. It requires an attentiveness and a focus on a particular point – something that many are not willing or able to do. It demands a purposeful intent to achieve a consciousness on a rotating body and removing any inhibitions one has towards the physics of moving objects.
Using the clock always as a guide for a spin directions facilitates an understanding of the spheroidal quality of the baseball itself.
There are those who do well in hitting and pitching that hardly focus on spins and axes and ignore the quality, direction, or amount of rotation on a ball. It amazes me that their gift for doing this is devoid of this sensitivity regarding the flight of a ball. Infielders often recognize a ball hit with back or side spin and act accordingly. This is the result of many, many infield fungoballs hit at them. Outfielders also judge the flight of an outfield ball based on whether it is slicing, hooking, sinking and/or rising, and this prescribes an understanding of the rotations of a ball coming off the bat. Pitchers who readily learn breaking pitches and increase movement on their fastballs are equally adept at reading spins.
Hitters with great eyesight which is a characteristic of the great ones, pick up the rotation and axes of the ball irregardless of whether they have devoted a period of time scrutinizing the variations, but more likely have identified what happens with certain alignments and the ball’s activity. Reacting quickly and positively is why they are such good hitters. Zone hitters seem to not care much about the activity of the ball, but rather allow their reflexes to adjust quickly to any pitch which is in their hitting zones.
Good fastball hitters’ eyes light up when they spot fastball rotation right off. That is why they get equally fooled on splitters and change-ups. The spin direction, often the same (as fastball) deceives the batter in to thinking FB and the speed difference is deadly.
The SAIN SPINNER is a great device for instructing the alignments of spins and the position of the axes. The dots can be pointed out quickly on various pitches. As a pitching instructor, I’m always particularly curious as to a how a prospectful hurler spins the ball, and what his either natural or developed action on the ball is. Some have very defined and actually remarkable rotations that indicate an understanding of why a ball acts.
THE DOT IS THE CLUE
Watching to the side in a typical bullpen and being to the side one can observe the catcher’s throw which is essentially a 12/6 rotation and the axis (dot) is at 3 o’clock. It always presents itself quite visibly for those that are perceptive and alert to the manifestations of the rotation process – the speed of which allows observation compared to the pitchers speed which may be greater and thus visualization more difficult.
Controlling the location of the dot (axis) and the direction and type of rotation gives command to the quality and amount of action on a thrown pitch. Being astute and refined in this area gives the pitcher the edge in creating late movement and quality of direction.
The dot seems to be tighter and smaller with a four-seam pitch. It is larger with a two-seam grip. Location of the dot or end of axis can be visualized from the 1) side 2) front or 3) back. It is easier to see the red on the ball with a two-seam grip. Even a sinker has a tell tale red effect towards the bottom of the ball. With a tight slider the dot is in the middle. Roger Clemens made an interesting observation and likened the spin on a slider to driving behind a cement mixing truck and watching the mixing unit turning clockwise (RHP). This is a remarkable analogy that anyone should understand.
Spin DIRECTION
The direction of rotations on a ball will generally be the following:
- 6/12 (CB) vs. 12/6 FB Axis at 3 o’clock
- 1/7 (CB) vs. 7/1 FB (tailing FB) Axis at 4 o’clock
- 2/8 (slurve) vs. 8/2 (sinking FB) Axis at 5 o’clock
- 3/9 (Frisbee curve) vs. 9/3 (sinking, tailing FB) Axis at 6 o’clock
On a pure slider the dot is in the middle.
THE HYBRID
When the dot is off its course and the dot wanders the hybridization of a slider for example may actually improve its break. It may become more of a cutter if the dot is to the left (RHP) and more of a curve (slurve) if it moves to the right. The tighter (faster spin) the rotation the sharper the break.
Spiral spin, top spin, side spin and back spin are all terms generally used to describe the spin directions on the ball. However, I prefer using the clock alignments (12/6, 1/7 etc.) to exact the precision necessary for the outstanding action of the curve, slider, sinker and cutter.
In an elevated game of catch where attention is given to the rotation of the ball and a sensitivity to the trajectory, flight and alignment of axes, the thought becomes expanded and a depth develops on understanding spin and speed, spin and break, and the quality of a pitched ball.
IN CONCLUSION
For the zone of the purists, the following reminders should be made when one is entertaining the study of rotating objects. These areas should be considered:
1. Aerodynamic Awareness
2. Focus on a particular
3. Using the clock as a reference
4. Detecting type of spin (1/7, 3/9 etc.)
5. Concept of DOTS (AXES)
6. Clockwise vs. counterclockwise rotation
7. CRAVING FOR EXACTNESS
8. WATCH the bottom of the ball
9. THE HYBRID
10. EXPAND the THOUGHT
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