Spinner Tips

One of the tools we often use is the Spinner. When used correctly it can refine breaking pitches. There are a lot of nuances, so just picking it up and trying to learn a pitch is not very effective.
A good example of those little things which make a difference is this.

Let’s say a kid is using it to work on drills for the rollover drop. If she places the spinner too far down toward the palm, in other words right on the joints near the end of the fingers, she is far more likely to get the wrist, and thus the shoulder and elbow, too involved in the pitch. Both of these can slow the rate of spin and be unhealthy for the pitcher.
If the pitcher holds the spinner as far as possible out on the pads of the fingers, she finds it much easier to let the fingertips explode over the ball, creating dramatic downspin and eliminating the shoulder and elbow from the motion. Also, take the thumb off the spinner so you really get the feel for fingertips. Leaving the thumb on it can lead to the “doorknob” type of turn. The thumb will roll inward, naturally, causing poor spin, and the need to take the shoulder out of joint to try to get a vertical spin.
Keep the shoulder out of it. Without the shoulder pulling her down, she stays taller during the delivery, allowing her to start the ball higher in the zone. The batter is more likely to perceive it as a strike and her downhill trajectory means it is moving in the direction of the desired break, further complimenting the movement when the seams bite into the air.
Tools, in the hands of a craftsman, can create artwork. Simply grabbing a tool, without the knowledge of ways to use it properly, is like trying to shave with the wrong end of a razor. The results are poor and the chances of picking up a few nicks and cuts along the way are greatly increased.
**Note: If you are a former college pitcher who would like to make a difference in the lives of kids, talk with us about our Instructor Certification Program. You will not believe how much we can help. You will build relationships, share ideas, and conduct research with the most elite Instructors across America.