Hitting the Screwball
Also known as: hitting a screwball, hit a screwball, how to hit a screwball, hitting the screw
A screwball breaks the opposite way to a curve. From a right-handed pitcher it runs in on a right-handed hitter and away from a left-handed one. When it breaks in, keep your hands inside the ball and turn on it early. When it breaks away, stay closed and drive it the other way.
The screwball moves sideways like a curve but in the other direction. A right-handed pitcher uses it to jam right-handed hitters and to run the ball away from lefties. Many pitchers who throw it pair it with a curve. The hitter then has to handle movement both ways.
Against a screwball that breaks in, the danger is getting jammed. Many coaches teach hitters to keep the hands close to the body with the knob leading. They meet the ball out in front before it reaches the hands. A late, long swing gets beaten on the handle. Some hitters move slightly off the plate against a pitcher who lives inside. Against a screwball that breaks away, the approach matches the curve. Stay closed, let it travel and use the middle and opposite field.
Recognition starts with spin. The screwball spins the opposite way to the curve, with the pitcher's hand turning outward at release. Hitters who know a pitcher throws both often look for one in a given count and adjust. Many pitchers find the screwball harder to learn than the curve. Scouting tells you whether this pitcher has one at all.
Tips by skill level
Practice inside pitches off a tee set at the front, inner corner of the plate. Keep the knob leading and the hands close to your body.
Track which way each pitcher's breaking balls move and in which counts she throws them. Sit on the side of the plate she favors early in the count.
Example
A right-handed pitcher throws a screwball that starts over the middle and runs toward a right-handed hitter's hands. The hitter keeps her hands inside, turns early and lines it over the third baseman instead of getting jammed.
Why it matters
A pitcher with a screwball can attack both sides of the plate. Hitters who cannot handle the inside break get jammed or tie themselves up.
Common mistakes
- Casting the hands away from the body and getting beaten on the handle
- Starting the swing late against a pitch that runs in
- Pulling off a screwball that breaks away from a left-handed hitter
Frequently asked questions
How do you hit a screwball in softball?
Read which way it breaks. If it runs in on you, keep your hands inside the ball and turn on it early, out in front. If it runs away, stay closed and drive it to the middle or opposite field.
Which way does a screwball break?
Opposite to a curve. From a right-handed pitcher, it breaks in on a right-handed hitter and away from a left-handed hitter.
How do I stop getting jammed by a screwball?
Keep the knob leading and the hands close to your body, and meet the ball out in front. Some hitters also move slightly off the plate against a pitcher who works inside.
Related terms
- ScrewballA screwball moves in on a same-side hitter, breaking the opposite way to a curveball, and it comes from an outward wrist twist at release with the hand turning away from the body.
- Screwball Spin DirectionScrewball spin direction is the outward, pinky-leading wrist turn at release. The spin is opposite a curveball's, so it breaks in on same-handed hitters.
- Hitting the Curveball (Fast-Pitch)To hit a fast-pitch curveball, read the sideways spin early and let the ball travel a little deeper. When it breaks away, keep your front shoulder closed and drive it up the middle or the other way. When it breaks in toward you, keep your hands inside the ball and turn on it.
- Inside Pitch ApproachThe inside pitch approach is the technique for hitting a ball on the inner third of the plate — pulling the hands in, getting the barrel through early, and driving the ball to the pull side.
- Quick HandsQuick hands describe a short, direct path from the load to the ball. Fast-pitch hitters need this compact swing to be on time with under 0.5 seconds to react.
- Reading Spin Out of the HandReading spin out of the hand means spotting a pitch's spin direction right after release. Seeing it early buys extra reaction time against movement pitches.
Related guides & benchmarks
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