The riser in baseball is also known as the rising fastball. You can throw it at a three-quarters arm angle or straight over the top. In this article, we will teach you how to throw a riser in baseball.
However, irrespective of how you throw it, the riser must be held with a loosened grip than you will see in most pitches. Here is our guide on general baseball throwing mechanisms.
Do you know how to throw a riser in baseball? If not, keep reading this article to learn more.
Table of Contents
Throwing a riser in baseball
While the riser is regarded as the same as the regular fastball, it has a looser grip. And the loosed grip is essential because it helps generate more spin on the baseball.
The outline below shows you how to throw a riser in baseball. It goes thus:
Your grip
In learning how to throw the ideal riser on the field, you need to make the baseball appear rising. And the best way to do this is by using the regular four-seam fastball grip.
You will work with your index and middle fingers crossing over the side seams. Your thumb should be tucked underneath the ball, while the pinky and ring fingers must be curved into a tiny circle outside the ball’s edge.
Your arm movement and angle
If you want to create an illusion of a rising pitch, you will need a considerable amount of backspin. In learning how to throw a riser in baseball, you will have to change your arm motion to the overhaul style.
With the arm angle positioned as 12-6, the baseball will attain a swifter spin rate and likely fool the hitter.
The spin movement
While here, it is vital to note that the ball’s spin is the primary key to making your fastball appear as if it is rising. You can get this done by moving the baseball away from your hand and towards your fingertips as you grip it.
Then, you are to loosen up on this grip so that the spin rate on the baseball will heighten. With this, every hitter will think the ball is traveling upward.
The release
Making your riser’s release point the same as the typical fastball is essential. While the ball will be traveling straight like the average fastball, its heightened spin is the illusion the pitcher searches for.
An exception to this rule is if you have a submarine-throwing motion. In other news, you can wind up and then release the pitches below the waist. For those unaware, it is similar to fast-pitch softball.
Meanwhile, it is rare to see those that can get this submarine-throwing motion done. And this is because the ball is released close to the floor but will rise on its path toward the home plate.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Should I consider the riser as an actual pitch?
They are high-velocity pitches thrown at speeds that will match or get close to the fastball speed of the pitcher.
Is throwing a riser allowed in baseball?
Yes, it is allowed. It is a part of the pitches thrown in the field during the game.
Conclusion
Do you want to learn how to throw a riser in baseball? Look no further, as we have outlined everything you need to know. But please do read through it so that you will get it right. Learn how to hit a riser in softball as well from us.
