The Pitching Academy

Do you want to learn how to throw a slider? The pitching grip of a slider is similar to that of a curveball. To grip the slider, place your fingers the same way you would with a curveball grip using your index and middle fingers putting them close together.  Thumb and middle finger split the baseball in half as you should do with all of your pitching grips ; aside from the fork ball and the split finger fastball.  Keep your ring finger and your pinkie off to the side as they shouldn’t make any real contact with the ball.  Place a little more pressure with your thumb and middle finger as your index finger puts little to no pressure on the baseball.

Just as important as proper baseball pitching grips are, your wrist and forearm position with the slider.  With your curveball grip your palm is facing you as you bring the ball out of your glove. (Refer to article on Curveball Pitching Grip)

How to throw a Slider : Throwing a slider is similar other than your palm facing you, it is slightly turned in. Using your fastball pitching mechanics with identical arm speed and arm slot, release the baseball in front of you.

The slider breaks down about six inches and in by six inches to an opposite hand hitter.  A left-handed pitcher's slider breaks down and away from left-handed batters; down and in on right-handed batters. It appears to be a fastball but breaks at the last minute going about six to eight miles an hour slower than the fastball.  It is one of the fastest pitches in baseball.  However, because of the angle of your wrist and forearm at release point, it is also the most damaging pitch to throw on your pitching arm.  Most of the injuries occur with a slider when a pitcher hyper extends his elbow.

A pitcher should only learn how to throw a slider when he cannot throw a great curveball.  A great curveball is a much more effective pitch.  Remember in my article about curveball pitching grips I said that most hitters can hit a curveball, but not a great curveball.  When you throw an effective curveball, you will have a lot more success than you will ever find with a slider.