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THROWING A BASEBALL
1. Grip the ball firmly.
Get in the habit of not only getting a good grip on the ball, but also getting your thumb as far under the ball as you can. The more your thumb is under the ball, the more lift and distance you give it. To strengthen your hands squeeze a tennis ball.
2. Find the seam.
This is the biggest part of getting control of the ball. Practice throwing the ball into your glove, then as fast as you can, find the seam using mostly your thumb. Do this often.
3. Throw to a target
Bead in like a laser where you want to throw the ball. Pick out the biggest target. Usually that means aiming at the fielder's chest, but sometimes a lower throw is required, so target the fielder's belt or even knees.
4. Throw the ball with your whole body.
Starting with your feet on their toes, powered through your legs, on to the turning hips, shoulders, arm, head and eyes all at the target. That's throwing with your whole body.
5. Know where to throw the ball.
Sometimes this requires help from your teammates and coaches, especially when the ball is hit over your head with your back facing the infield. Learn to listen well out there.
6. Know where to throw the ball before each pitch.
In other words, “what do I do if the ball is hit to me?” If you don’t know, you must ask one of your teammates or coaches, even if you have to call timeout. Don’t ever be in the dark out there.
7. Throw the ball with purpose on it.
Which means having a good idea where you want to throw the ball, with a real determination to get the job done right.
8. Throw on your toes.
Just as you are on your toes before each pitch when you are in the field, it is the same when you are throwing. Bad throws mostly come when balls are thrown flatfooted or back on the heels.
9. Don’t be afraid to throw the ball away.
An old pro saying: "If you are going to throw the ball away at least throw it away hard." Also, you are more likely to make a bad throw if you ease up on the throw.
10. Concentrate
Always, always, always.
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