Softball Pitching - How to Pitch a Rise Ball

2) Grip. There are several different ways to grip the rise ball. The most common ways are (1) Index and middle fingers parallel to the seams with the middle finger on the seam. (2) Fingers parallel with the seams with the index finger knuckled up to permit the finger tip t dig into the seam. (3) Create a “C” with the thumb and index finger. The index finger, thumb, and middle finger on a seam.

3) Body Positioning. The body must be behind and underneath the ball to allow for the correct spin. The elbow should be in and throwing shoulder lower than catching shoulder and there cannot be a bend in the back leg. The weight CANNOT be on the pitcher’s front foot. The weight must be shifted back. Try to correct a crow hop early on. A crow hopper’s weight is automatically thrown forward during the pitch. Then there must be a change in the momentum and direction of the body to get in the correct position. Save some energy and stay back!

4) Release. Right before the release, the wrist is cocked with the palm facing out and your fingers starting with the palm facing out and your fingers starting the rotation from on top of the ball to the bottom of the ball (thumb starting on the bottom and rotating to the top). At the actual release, the fingers should be under the ball with the back of the hand brushing the side of the hip or thigh. At all times the palm should be facing out. The emphasis at release should be on the wrist snap. Avoid over-bodying the pitch in an attempt to throw it high. This will bring the throwing shoulder up out of the correct release position resulting in incorrect spin, inconsistent location, or lazy movement.

5) Progression. Pitchers have a tendency to throw only from full distance. That could be the demise of the rise ball. Starting at shorter distances from the catcher, maybe three to five feet and progressing back a little at a time is probably the best way to learn. I would suggest mastering the spin at the distance the pitcher is at first before progressing to a longer distance.

6) Pitch Location. The rise should be thrown at the top of the strike zone and jump out of the zone, or at the knees and jump into the mid-thigh region. The pitch should never break into the hitters mid-section.

7) During what situations should the rise ball be thrown? A rise ball can be used in all kinds of situations. We can take into consideration the weather, fences, game situations, your defense, your pitcher, and the hitters. Coaches should have a general idea what the opposing hitters can and cannot hit by their swings either in the on-deck circle or previous swings or at bats.

Here are some examples:

Hitter’s Stance:

1. Up in front of the box--rise in or out.
2. Closed stance--rise inside
3. Crouches over the plate--rise in or out
4. Close to the plate--rise inside
5. Tilted head--rise inside
6. No weight shift--rise inside
7. Stride towards the plate--rise inside
8. Stride away from the plate--rise outside
9. Long stride--rise in or out.

Hands/Swing

1. Hitch--rise in or out
2. Lunges--rise in or out
3. Hands low--rise in or out
4. Hands away from the body--rise inside
5. Loopy swing--rise in or out
6. Choppy swing--rise in or out
7. Parallel bat--rise in or out
8. Slow bat--rise inside
9. Inside-out swing--low rise inside
10. Swings up--rise in or out.

High humidity and low altitude is more desirable for a rise ball than low humidity and high altitude. Generally, rise balls should not be the pitch of choice with short fences. Consider the game situation. Any time a fly ball is needed the rise ball is and excellent pitch to throw. It is one of the most common pitches that pitchers throw for strikeouts, bunt situations and if your defense has a weaker infield. You also need to know your pitcher. Is it her bread and butter? Is she tired? If a pitcher is tired, a rise ball has a tendency to flatten out. These are just a few suggestions for good or bad situations to throw the rise ball.

8) When should the pitcher learn the rise ball? Not everyone is the same, but the most common order of learning pitches is the fast ball, change up, drop ball, then the rise ball. Too much at once may hinder the progression of a pitcher’s skills so I would recommend learning one pitch at a time.
 
As usual, the mechanics of a pitch should be learned first. Eventually work on speed and then ultimately control and locations.

A pitcher must gear her thoughts toward success goals, not failures. As it is a coach’s job to facilitate the positive atmosphere, it is ultimately up to the pitcher to make the improvement happen. Pitchers must learn to improve as pitchers and not just throwers.