Gripping a baseball correctly is an fundamental part of throwing a baseball straighter and faster.

The four-seam grip is one of the simplest and most effective ways to hold the ball. To start, position the baseball in the player's hand so that the index and middle fingers are resting on top of the ball, directly on the seams that run closest together. These seams should be perpendicular to the fingers, allowing for a stable and controlled grip. A nice visual queue is actually the Montreal Canadians CH logo.  The seams are the red of the C and the fingers would be placed where the up and down lines of the H are.

As the player's hands get bigger, it's important to ensure there's a bit of space between the ball and the cup of their hand. This space allows for better finger control and a more powerful release. The fingers should be comfortably spread out on top of the ball, not too tight, to maintain control and allow for a fluid release. The thumb plays a crucial role in balancing the grip; it should be positioned underneath the ball, typically around the 5 or 7 o'clock position, depending on what feels most natural in the player's hand.

To help explore how to create a safe, fun engaging and movement based practice, keep looking for updates on the Coach's Clipboard or use one of the links below.

Links:

1. Coach's Clipboard Introduction
2. Session Lengths
3. Practice Planning
4. Importance of Baseball Warm-up