Wiffle ball is a very unique sport, and is extremely popular with children. Although similar to baseball, the differences are obvious. A thin, plastic yellow bat is used to hit, the field is considerably smaller due to the limited distance the ball can travel, and the ball is plastic (causing minimal damage to windows and cars) with holes on one side.
As you might have noticed, these holes make throwing a wiffle ball straight very difficult. In this guide you will learn how to throw strikes, but also how to develop other pitches that will surprise the batter, and hopefully striking him out.
Throwing the ball straight is relatively simple. Hold the ball with the holes facing towards the batter. Place two fingers on two different holes. As you throw, keep you arm and wrist constant. The ball should go relatively straight, although it may have a tendency to drop and move in on right hand batters.
Throwing a curve ball is a completely different animal. Unlike baseball where a flick of the wrist is required, it is the arm angle and grip that produces the movement with wiffle balls. Throw a curve by holding the ball with the holes pointing left. Put your pointer finger on a hole, and your thumb on another one on the bottom of the ball. Picture making a C with your fingers. Throw the ball over the top, and aim at the batter. The ball should curve right into the strike zone. This grip will be known as grip A.
Another curve/slider can be achieved by holding the ball the opposite of grip A; holes to the right this time, same C grip. Throw this one at 3/4 (in between over the top and side arm). This grip will be known as Grip B.
A screw ball is slightly more difficult. Hold the pitch like grip B, and come straight over the top. If done correctly, the pitch should move in on a righty. If it is moving away, you need to come more over the top.
A riser is achieved by coming side arm or submarine, and using grip B. The holes will now be facing the ground, hopefully lifting the ball as it travels. Depending on how submarine you go, this pitch may also curve left or right.
A knuckle ball can really be thrown any way you feel comfortable. The one key is getting the ball to not spin. Use your finger tips ad as you thrown push them forward to counter the natural backspin of the pitch. This pitch is unpredictable, hard to master, but can also be the most deadly pitch in your arsenal.
A specialty pitch i created is a variation of the knuckle ball, but with a special grip. I call it the junk because it is hard to control, slow, but almost impossible to pitch. Hold the ball with the holes on the right and then put your pinky inside one of the holes. Put the rest of your finger tips around the ball and throw like a knuckle ball.
The key to mastering these pitches is practicing. Set up a lawn chair as a strike zone or choose a square to aim for on the garage. Don’t be afraid to experiment with arm angles and grips. Good luck.
