The pitcher’s job is to get hitters out. Since baseball was invented in the early 1800’s pitchers have been inventing different pitches to confuse the hitter.
You may have heard of the fastball, curveball or even slider. But one pitch that has been outlawed in the spitball.
The spitball was used heavily in the early 1900’s and was eventually banned before the 1920’s season.
Even after the pitch was banned, pitchers still used it from time to time as it was wildly effective.
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What is a spitball in baseball?
A spitball is when a pitcher uses saliva to doctor up the ball he is throwing to get the ball to move or dance in the strike zone.
When the spitball got its name because initially a pitcher would use his spit to doctor up the ball.
This would allow the ball to ‘slip’ out of the pitcher’s hand a certain way to give it some nasty movement.
If a pitcher were going to throw a spitball in today’s game, he would probably use a different type of substance.
A pitcher may use Vaseline to make the ball slippery and give it the same effect that spit would have back when the spitball was created.
Pitchers are constantly looking for an advantage to help make the ball move or dance in the strike zone. If a pitcher can add movement to a baseball it makes it incredibly more difficult for the batter to hit it.
Pitchers can use a scuff mark, or dent on a ball to their advantage. That’s why every time you see a ball hit the dirt, the umpire usually throws it out for a new ball.
How do pitchers throw a spitball in baseball?
The first step in throwing a spitball is you need some spit! Either that or some other material that will help the ball become slippery.
When the ball is slipping through your fingers you just rare back and throw it as fast as you can, allowing the ball to slip through your fingers.
This action will get the ball to dance in the strike zone. It can be incredibly hard to hit which is why it’s so effective.
Here is a more in depth look at how to throw a spitball.
Getting caught throwing a spitball
In recent years major league baseball has really cracked down on pitchers using substances on the mound. They have also increased penalties if caught with a foreign substance. However pitchers do have some tricks so as to not get caught. In today’s game, most pitchers are trying to get the ball more sticky. They may use pine tar or other sticky substances to increase spin on the ball. Spin rates will help a slider or curveball move in the zone.
If a pitcher is throwing a spitball, they are trying to limit the ball’s spin and have it dance in a random way. Here is a great video showing just how crafty pitchers can be!
What does a spitball do in baseball?
If you throw a spitball correctly it can be a really nasty pitch. It can definitely help you get a tough batter out. A spitball will dance in the strike zone making it really hard to hit.
When someone throws a spitball the ball will move in ways that physics just doesn’t allow naturally. Doctoring up a ball can help the ball move and dance, however you still need to throw it for a strike. Pitchers will have to practice a ton to get these pitches to be effective.
Check out this video from sports science that breaks down how a ball that has been doctored may look to the batter.
Why is the spitball illegal?
To begin the 1920 season baseball made it illegal to doctor the baseball. This included using spit or any other substance that would help you throw the spitball.
A spitball can be a very dangerous pitch to throw as a pitcher really doesn’t know where its headed. It’s meant to slip out of the pitcher’s hand making it a very dangerous pitch to throw. Pitchers can throw the ball over 90 MPH and it can be very dangerous if the pitcher can’t control that.
Pitchers are normally very accurate. However if you add a slipper substance to the ball, your accuracy goes out the window. This can make it very hard to hit the ball, which is a huge benefit to the pitcher.
What is a spitball in baseball conclusion
The job of a pitcher is to throw strikes. The object is to throw pitches in the strike zone that are very hard to hit. The use of substances definitely help these pitches be very difficult to make solid contact with. That is the reason pitchers have worked very hard to mix up speeds and movement to keep hitters off balance.
The better the pitcher is at mixing speeds and moving the ball around the strike zone, the more effective he will be. The spitball was introduced to the game to help with that. However, MLB is cracking down on pitchers doctoring up the ball, to make it more fair for the hitter to be successful. Pitchers will continue to try to figure out creative ways to get hitters out. They may even work in the off seasons to learn a new pitch to add to their arsenal.
Hard work and dedication to your craft will make you a better pitcher. Using foreign substances, although effective, is not recommended to use to try to get hitters out.
Until next time
Coach Scott