The Amazing Drop Ball

I have looked in depth at several different softball pitches this semester. The pitch that I have enjoyed learning the most was the drop ball. I love how it feels when I throw it successfully and the end results of it are beneficial.

The drop ball is a breaking pitch, usually learned by intermediate pitchers as one of their first pitches after the change up. Its purpose is like the names says; it drops. This means that it looks like it is going to be a fastball and then starts to move, or break, down. It is a good pitch to throw for a pitch because it is hard to track with the eyes and so is harder to hit. Another benefit is when it is hit, it usually results in a ground ball and the batter can be thrown out.

There are many different ways to throw the drop ball. I have only focused on one because it works for me and that’s important when pitching. Nobody is the same and everyone has different techniques, so something that works for one person might not work for somebody else. The mechanics I use are more difficult than some ways of throwing it but are not too complex. A down spin is needed so that the ball will break, and I achieve that by rolling my hand over the ball and releasing while doing so. The follow through is down and out. Many coaches teach that a pitcher lands with more weight on her front leg to create an angle facing down so the ball will break that way, but I can achieve the drop without this, so I have not adopted this technique.

The drop ball can be one of the most dangerous pitches on the arm if done incorrectly and can hurt the elbow and shoulder. To avoid that I just have to make sure I am only turning the ball over with my wrist and not my shoulder. I have not had any problems with this yet, and if I continue using the mechanics I have been, I should be okay.

The drop ball is one of my favorite pitches. I love how it moves and has so different results with only a minimal change to my pitch.  Just like any pitch I have ever learned how to throw, if I do it right I get this euphoric feeling and that makes me feel really good about myself like I have achieved something. I think my catchers hate the pitch because it is hard to track and catch, but they are still willing come to practice, so I do not think they hate it that much.

I love the drop ball and am kind of proud of myself for having learned it so quickly this semester. There is still work needed on it, and I can not wait to keep improving. This softball season I will have one more pitch I can use to strike people out.

~Leah T. D.