Mastering the Flying Saucer Pitch: A Baseball Pitching Tutorial

In baseball, pitchers are always looking for an edge, a way to make their pitches unpredictable and difficult to hit. One such pitch, often talked about but less frequently seen, is the “flying saucer.” This pitch, characterized by its unique side-to-side movement, can be a devastating weapon in a pitcher’s arsenal when executed correctly.

In this guide, we’ll break down the secrets to throwing a flying saucer pitch, drawing inspiration from the simple yet effective technique described in the video. We’ll expand on the core concept, providing you with a comprehensive understanding and actionable steps to add this fascinating pitch to your repertoire.

Understanding the Flying Saucer Pitch

The flying saucer pitch, at its heart, is about deception and movement. Unlike a fastball that relies on pure velocity or a curveball that dips vertically, the flying saucer pitch moves horizontally. This lateral movement is achieved through significant side spin, making it appear to “fly sideways” as it approaches the plate – hence the name.

Key Characteristics of a Flying Saucer Pitch:

• Lateral Movement: The most defining trait. The ball moves horizontally, away from a right-handed batter (if thrown by a right-handed pitcher) or towards them (if thrown by a left-hander).
• Deception: The unusual movement pattern can disrupt a batter’s timing and expectations, leading to weak contact or swings and misses.
• Side Spin Dominance: Unlike pitches with topspin or backspin, the flying saucer relies heavily on side spin to generate its unique trajectory.
• Moderate Velocity: While velocity isn’t the primary focus, the pitch isn’t typically thrown at fastball speeds. Control and movement are prioritized.

The Sharpie Line Technique: Visualizing Side Spin

The video introduces a brilliant and simple technique to visualize and practice side spin: drawing a straight line around the baseball with a Sharpie. This line becomes your visual guide during your pitching motion.

How to Use the Sharpie Line Method:

1. Draw the Line: Take a baseball and a Sharpie marker. Carefully draw a straight line around the circumference of the ball. This line should ideally be along the axis you intend to spin the ball around.
2. Focus on the Line: As you go through your pitching motion, keep your eyes focused on this Sharpie line. Your goal is to see this line as straight as possible as you release the ball.
3. Tilt for Side Spin: To induce side spin and achieve the flying saucer movement, subtly tilt the line to the side as you release the ball. This visual cue helps you understand and control the angle at which you’re imparting spin.
4. Observe the Movement: After releasing the pitch, watch the ball’s trajectory and the movement of the Sharpie line in the air. This visual feedback loop will help you correlate your hand action with the resulting spin and movement.

Why This Technique Works:

• Visual Feedback: The human brain is highly visual. The Sharpie line provides immediate visual feedback on the spin you’re generating, making it easier to adjust your technique.
• Simplified Focus: Instead of thinking about complex wrist movements or finger pressure, you can simply focus on keeping the line straight and tilting it, simplifying the learning process.
• Improved Consistency: By practicing with this visual guide, you can develop a more consistent side-spin motion, leading to more reliable flying saucer pitches.

Grip and Finger Placement for Side Spin

While the Sharpie line technique is excellent for visualizing spin, the grip and finger placement are crucial for actually imparting that side spin on the baseball.

General Grip Principles for Side Spin Pitches:

• Seam Grip: Most side spin pitches utilize a grip that involves the seams of the baseball. The seams provide texture for your fingers to grip and generate spin.
• Off-Center Pressure: To create side spin, you typically apply more pressure with your fingers on one side of the ball compared to the other. This asymmetrical pressure is what forces the ball to rotate sideways.
• Finger Placement Variation: The exact finger placement can vary depending on your hand size, finger length, and desired pitch movement. Experiment to find what feels most comfortable and effective for you.

Flying Saucer Pitch Grip Suggestions (Experimentation is Key):

• Two-Seam Grip Variation: Start with a standard two-seam fastball grip. Then, slightly adjust your finger placement to be more off-center. For a right-handed pitcher throwing to a right-handed batter, you might place your index and middle fingers slightly more to the left side of the ball (from your perspective). During release, try to pull down and across the side of the ball with your fingers to generate side spin.
• Circle Change-Up Grip Modification: Some pitchers adapt their circle change-up grip for a flying saucer. By exaggerating the sideways pull and focusing on releasing the ball off the side of their index finger, they can induce side spin.
• Knuckle Curve Grip Adaptation: Certain knuckle curve grips, when modified to emphasize a more sideways sweeping motion rather than a downward curve, can also generate a flying saucer-like movement.

Important Note: There isn’t one definitive “flying saucer grip.” The best grip is the one that allows you to consistently generate side spin and control the pitch. Experiment with variations of common grips and see what works best for your hand and pitching style.

Pitching Mechanics for Maximizing Side Movement

The grip is just one part of the equation. Your entire pitching mechanics play a vital role in maximizing the movement of a flying saucer pitch.

Key Mechanical Adjustments for Side Spin Pitches:

• Slightly Wider Stance (Optional): Some pitchers find that a slightly wider stance can help them get their body moving laterally, which can aid in generating side spin. However, this is a subtle adjustment and not essential for everyone.
• Arm Slot Variation (Subtle): A slightly lower or three-quarters arm slot can sometimes be more conducive to throwing side spin pitches compared to a purely overhand delivery. Again, this is a minor adjustment and depends on natural arm action.
• Emphasis on Arm Action Across the Body: The key mechanical element is the arm action. Think about bringing your arm across your body slightly more than you would for a fastball. This motion naturally promotes a sweeping, sideways arm path that contributes to side spin.
• Release Point Adjustment: Experiment with slightly different release points. Releasing the ball a fraction of a second later or slightly more out to the side can influence the amount of side spin and movement.
• Follow Through: A complete and balanced follow-through is always important. Ensure your body is rotating naturally and your arm is continuing its motion across your body after release to maximize spin and control.

Drills to Improve Flying Saucer Mechanics:

• Towel Drills: Use a towel to mimic your pitching motion, focusing on the arm path across your body and generating a whipping action. Imagine trying to snap the towel sideways.
• Wall Drills: Stand a few feet away from a wall and practice your pitching motion, focusing on your grip, arm action, and release point. Observe how the ball comes off your hand and try to make adjustments to increase side spin.
• Flat Ground Work: Practice on flat ground, throwing to a target. Focus purely on generating side spin and observing the pitch movement. Don’t worry too much about velocity or location initially; prioritize the spin and movement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Throwing a Flying Saucer

Learning any new pitch comes with challenges. Here are some common mistakes pitchers make when attempting to throw a flying saucer pitch and how to avoid them:

• Trying to Throw Too Hard: The flying saucer is about movement and deception, not raw power. Trying to throw it too hard often sacrifices spin and control, making the pitch ineffective. Tip: Focus on smooth mechanics and maximizing spin rather than velocity.
• Inconsistent Grip: If your grip is not consistent, you won’t be able to generate consistent side spin. Tip: Develop a comfortable and repeatable grip. Practice your grip repeatedly until it becomes second nature.
• Over-Rotating the Wrist: While wrist action is involved in generating spin, over-rotating the wrist can lead to loss of control and arm strain. Tip: Focus on using your forearm and fingers to impart spin, rather than just forcibly twisting your wrist.
• Not Staying Behind the Ball: If you get too far around the side of the ball during your delivery, you might end up throwing a pitch that sails arm-side or lacks true horizontal movement. Tip: Maintain a balanced posture and stay behind the ball throughout your delivery, ensuring you’re releasing it out front.
• Lack of Practice: The flying saucer pitch, like any specialized pitch, requires dedicated practice to master. Tip: Incorporate regular practice sessions focused specifically on developing your flying saucer pitch. Repetition is key to muscle memory and consistency.

Integrating the Flying Saucer into Your Pitching Strategy

Once you’ve developed a consistent flying saucer pitch, it’s important to understand how to effectively use it in game situations.

Strategic Considerations:

• Surprise Element: The flying saucer is most effective when used as a surprise pitch, especially against batters who haven’t seen it before. Don’t overuse it early in the game.
• Change of Pace: It can be a valuable change-of-pace pitch to disrupt a batter’s timing, particularly after throwing fastballs or harder pitches.
• Situational Pitching: Consider using it in situations where you want to induce weak contact or get a batter to swing and miss at something moving differently. It can be effective against opposite-handed batters or those who tend to pull the ball.
• Location is Still Key: Even with movement, location is crucial. Aim to keep the flying saucer pitch down in the strike zone. A flying saucer that floats high is likely to be hit hard.
• Complementary Pitch: Think of the flying saucer as a complementary pitch to your fastball and other primary pitches. It’s not meant to be your go-to pitch every time, but a weapon to be deployed strategically.

Practice, Patience, and Persistence

Learning to throw a flying saucer pitch effectively takes time, practice, and patience. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t come easily at first. Keep practicing the techniques, focusing on visualizing the side spin with the Sharpie line method, experimenting with grips, and refining your mechanics.

Tips for Effective Practice:

• Regular Practice: Dedicate time in your practice routine specifically to working on your flying saucer pitch.
• Focus on Quality over Quantity: It’s more beneficial to throw a few focused, deliberate flying saucer pitches than to mindlessly throw many without attention to technique.
• Record Yourself: Video recording your pitching sessions can be incredibly helpful. Review the footage to analyze your mechanics, release point, and the resulting pitch movement.
• Seek Feedback: Ask a coach, experienced pitcher, or trusted teammate to watch you throw and provide feedback. External eyes can often spot things you might miss yourself.

By following these guidelines, practicing diligently, and staying persistent, you can unlock the secrets of the flying saucer pitch and add a unique and deceptive weapon to your baseball arsenal. Get out there, grab a Sharpie and a baseball, and start experimenting!

Ready to take your pitching to the next level? Start practicing the flying saucer pitch today and discover the magic of side spin! Share your progress in the comments below and let us know what tips work best for you! Good luck, and happy pitching!