Softball pitchers rely on a wide range of pitches to keep hitters off balance, and among the trickiest to master is the screwball. Known for its unexpected inward break and deceptive motion, the screwball has a long history and continues to be a valuable tool for pitchers who want to add movement and unpredictability to their arsenal. Let’s take a closer look at where this pitch came from, how it’s used, and the mechanics of throwing it effectively.
A Brief History of the Screwball
The screwball’s origins can be traced back to the early 20th century in baseball, where it first gained fame. Pitchers like Christy Mathewson and later Carl Hubbell became legendary for their screwballs, baffling hitters with a pitch that seemed to defy natural movement. While its usage in baseball has declined over the decades—largely due to concerns about arm strain—it found a natural place in softball.
In fastpitch softball, the screwball adapted to the underhand delivery and became a weapon particularly favored by pitchers facing lineups stacked with opposite-handed hitters. By the mid-to-late 20th century, the screwball was a staple in competitive women’s softball, used by pitchers at both the collegiate and international levels. It became especially popular in the United States during the rise of NCAA softball in the 1980s and 1990s, when pitchers looked for more ways to counter increasingly skilled hitters.
The Purpose and Uses of the Screwball
The screwball is not about overpowering hitters with speed. Instead, it is all about movement and deception. Unlike a curveball or riseball, which break outward or upward, the screwball breaks inward toward the pitcher’s throwing arm side. For a right-handed pitcher, that means the ball will dart in toward a right-handed batter’s hands. For a left-handed pitcher, it moves in toward left-handed hitters.
This unique break makes the screwball particularly useful in several scenarios:
- Jamming Hitters
A screwball can run inside on a hitter, often causing weak contact like a jammed ground ball or a broken-bat foul ball in baseball terms. In softball, that translates to hitters popping up or rolling over the ball. - Complementing Other Pitches
The screwball works well in combination with the curveball. While the curveball moves away from the batter, the screwball moves in. Alternating between the two keeps hitters guessing and prevents them from leaning over the plate. - Exploiting Matchups
Pitchers often use the screwball against same-handed hitters because the inward break makes it harder for them to extend their arms and drive the ball. However, it can also surprise opposite-handed hitters who are expecting an outside pitch. - Late-Game Outs
When facing hitters multiple times in a game, mixing in a screwball can change eye levels and swing paths, helping a pitcher get key strikeouts or weak contact in pressure situations.
How to Throw the Screwball
Mastering the screwball requires patience and attention to mechanics. Unlike a fastball, where the goal is a straight line with maximum velocity, the screwball’s success depends on precise grip and wrist action.
Step 1: The Grip
The screwball is typically thrown with the index and middle fingers across the seams, similar to a fastball. The key difference is the pressure applied. Pitchers place slightly more pressure on the index finger, which helps generate the inward spin.
Step 2: The Wrist Action
As the arm comes forward in the underhand delivery, the wrist and forearm rotate inward at release, almost like turning a doorknob toward the body. This inward rotation imparts the screwball’s signature spin.
Step 3: The Release
The ball should roll off the index finger with force, causing it to break inside. A common mistake is over-rotating the wrist, which can lead to loss of control. The goal is a smooth, consistent motion that allows for accuracy while still creating movement.
Step 4: The Follow-Through
A strong follow-through is essential to avoid telegraphing the pitch. The motion should look as much like a fastball as possible, disguising the pitch until the last moment.
Tips for Success
- Disguise Is Everything: The screwball is most effective when hitters cannot pick up the wrist action. Keeping mechanics identical to a fastball helps with deception.
- Mix With Speed: Don’t overuse the screwball. Its effectiveness increases when paired with a riseball, dropball, or curveball.
- Stay Healthy: While less stressful on the arm than its baseball counterpart, the softball screwball can still strain the wrist and forearm if thrown incorrectly. Proper warmups and controlled repetitions are crucial.
Bottom of the Seventh
The screwball in softball is a pitch of finesse rather than brute force. With roots in baseball history and decades of use in competitive softball, it has earned a reputation as a pitch that can change the course of an at-bat. Whether used to jam hitters, pair with a curveball, or keep opponents off balance late in the game, the screwball is a valuable addition to any pitcher’s toolbox. Learning how to throw it effectively takes time, but for those who master it, the screwball can be the ultimate weapon of deception.