Can Major League Baseball Pitchers Throw Underhand?
Underhand pitching is typically associated with softball and is rarely seen in professional baseball. Major league baseball pitchers primarily throw using an overhand motion, which provides greater velocity and control.
Reasons for Overhand Pitching:
- Faster Velocity: Overhand pitching allows pitchers to generate more speed by using the downward force of gravity and the leverage of their shoulders.
- Greater Control: The overhand motion enables pitchers to better control the location and movement of the ball due to the increased release height.
- Avoid Injury: Underhand pitching is more taxing on the elbow and shoulder, increasing the risk of injury compared to overhand pitching.
Exceptions:
In exceptional cases, some pitchers have used an underhand delivery due to physical limitations or unique circumstances:
- Tim Wakefield: A knuckleball pitcher, Wakefield threw underhand to disguise his slow, floating pitches.
- Eddie Gaedel: A 3-foot-7-inch-tall player, Gaedel famously pitched underhand in 1951 as a publicity stunt.
However, these are rare exceptions to the overwhelmingly dominant use of overhand pitching in major league baseball due to its inherent advantages.
Related Questions:
- Is underhand pitching illegal in baseball? No, it is not illegal but is not commonly used.
- Which MLB pitcher has the fastest underhand pitch? Eddie Gaedel threw a 60 mph underhand pitch.
- Why do softball pitchers throw underhand? Softball fields are smaller, giving batters less time to react to overhand pitches.
- Is underhand pitching more accurate than overhand? Not necessarily, accuracy depends on the individual pitcher's skill.
- What are the drawbacks of underhand pitching? Reduced velocity, limited control, and increased injury risk.
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