HOW TO GRIP A SOFTBALL

 

  • Rotate the ball in your hands until, when looking directly down at the ball, you see one of the four "horseshoes" formed by the laces.  Hold the ball so that the open end of the horseshoe is at a 90-degee angle to your body.
  •  Place your middle 3 fingers on the top lace:  
    • Place the first bend in your middle finger on the middle of the top lace.
    • Place the pads of fingers 2 and 4 on the same lace.
    • The three fingers on the top lace should be about a finger width apart.
    • Place the thumb underneath the ball. 
    • Curl the pinky finger under the ball or place it on the side of ball.
    • The top three fingers contact the ball with the soft tissue between the finger pad and the large knuckle. 
    • When your five fingers are positioned properly, there should be a good size air space between the back of the ball and your palm.
    • FYI: The three fingers placed on top of the lace will "pull" on the lace as the throwing hand releases the ball.  The pulling action puts backspin on the ball.  Balls thrown with backspin fly straighter and faster. 
  • Tip:  As you watch television or are sitting on the bench watching your team at bat, toss and spin a softball in the air.  As you catch the ball, quickly rotate it into "horseshoe up" position and quickly grip the ball as outlined above.  By regularly practicing tossing and griping a softball, you will soon be able to automatically grip the ball properly, without thinking about it.