Spitball is a trick throwing that was banned after 1920 in professional baseball leagues. Spitball movement is unpredictable when thrown. This is because the slightly wetted surface of the ball affects the path and spin of the ball. Start with Step 1 to learn this classic throw.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Throwing Technique
Step 1. Apply a small amount of saliva or lotion to the ball
The goal is to provide resistance and change in the weight of the ball so that its movement is very difficult to guess and hit. Because it's so unpredictable, there's no “right location” to put it like a knuckleball.
- You can also rub the ball with sandpaper to interfere with the ball's center of gravity and path. This method is still illegal.
- Since the friction between your finger and the ball makes the ball spin, you can also apply some slime or lotion to your finger before throwing. Something slippery, such as spit, will reduce the friction of the throw, producing a similar effect. It's not illegal to lick your finger before making a throw.
Step 2. Throw a fastball
There is no specific technique for throwing a spitball. The technique is the same as a regular fastball throw. Use the fastball as usual, with the usual grip and technique, although the result will be more like a knuckleball.
Wet fingers may make it difficult to control the throw. The ball may slip out of the way instead of spinning like a fastball. You need to practice several times to master it
Step 3. Throw a forkball instead
Forkball or split-finger fastball is a legal throw similar to spitball. At first this throw looks like an ordinary fastball but the movement is difficult to predict. If thrown correctly, the ball will slow down and fall at the last moment. In the forkball, the ball is held deep between the two extended fingers, while the split-finger fastball is a more modern and comfortable version of the throw.
With the wide variety of off-speed throws that can be used, it is always advisable to choose a different throw over an illegal spitball. Spitball is interesting enough to learn for fun, but never use it in a match
Step 4. Another way of wetting the ball
This throw is sometimes dubbed the "spitball from God," because the ball will slide in an unusual way, and in humid conditions the course will take a sharper turn. Throws made in areas with high humidity conditions, such as during heavy rain, will produce a similar effect. If you're playing in the rain, like it or not, the throw you make is spitball.
Part 2 of 2: Tricks to Don't Get Found
Step 1. Hide the lotion behind the brim of the hat
One of the most popular ways to smear something on a ball without getting caught is to hide the substance under the brim of a hat while in a dugout. Before throwing, pretend to adjust the position of the hat and take the lotion with your thumb and apply it to the ball.
Step 2. Tuck the lotion inside the glove
This method is less well known but quite effective. Rub the lotion into the inside of the lip of the glove and apply when the ball is held in the glove. Try to use as little lotion as possible and throw the spitball wisely.
Step 3. "Scratches" the back of your knee
It's possible, when sitting in the dugout there is a lotion that "accidentally" sticks to your feet. So if some lotion gets stuck on your finger when you scratch the back of your knee, of course, it's not your fault, is it?
Step 4. Hide the scratcher on your body
Nail files, emery boards, or even sandpaper can be hidden under gloves or in your hands and used to scratch the ball and interfere with the ball's path like a spitball. "Double Duty" Radcliffe, a pitcher in the '30s, used to hide a nail file under his belt to scratch the ball before it was thrown.
Step 5. Don't shower before the game
Even oily hair can affect your match. Wet your hair with a little water before rising. After that, take off your hat and run your fingers through your hair before throwing the ball. The oil from the hair will be enough to affect the weight of the ball when it is thrown.
Step 6. Know the risks
The penalty for throwing a spitball can be expulsion from the game, and even from the league. Since the 80s, the MLB has banned or fined the use of substances that affect the throwing of the ball. Spitball throws are legal to use when playing with friends or relatives, but don't use them in matches.
Tips
Experiment with your spitball. Due to the wide variety of ways to disrupt the ball's condition, plus the trick to hiding illegal substances before throwing the ball, you'll need to experiment to find the combination that works best for you
Warning
- Spitball throwing is prohibited in baseball games. Use of spitball may result in expulsion from the match or suspension from the league.
- Scratching or chopping a baseball also results in unpredictable ball movement. Deliberately cutting or scratching the ball is considered spitball and is illegal in organized baseball leagues.
