Baseballs have 108 stitches that bind together two figure eight shaped pieces of cowhide. Air molecules collide with spinning baseball seams to generate forces that change the direction of pitches on their way toward home plate. Daniel Bernoulli's fluid flow equation explains how 108 stitches generate forces as baseballs move through the air molecule fluid.

a. Fluid Flow Equation

If incompressible fluids are in streamline motion, then the fluid flow equation is constant at every point in the fluid.

½ dv2 + hdg + P

Where:
d stands for density
v stands for velocity
h stands for height
P stands for pressure
g stands for gravity

Fluid molecules are in streamline flows when they move from points to points without rotational motions or turbulences. Because, in pitching, air molecules are the fluid of interest, we can identify the preceding variables. Density (d) is air density. Velocity (v) is the velocity with which air molecules rush past baseballs or the baseballs rush past air molecules. Height (h) is the baseball's diameter. Pressure (P) is the interaction between air molecules and baseball's seams.

When pitchers pitch, their pitches rush through air molecules at some velocity (v). Air molecules uniformly collide with the front half of baseballs. Pitchers cause their pitches to rotate in different ways. Rapidly spinning baseballs increase the influence of their seams on the air molecules.

1. Magnus Effect

When baseballs spin rapidly, their seams collide with and drag air molecules along with them. Where spinning seams collide with air molecules, pressure increases. Where spinning seams drag air molecules along with them, pressure decreases. The German physicist, Magnus, described this phenomenon when he showed why four seam curveballs changed direction in flight.

a) Magnus Fastball

Magnus fastballs have four seams spinning counter-clockwise with horizontal axes. Their bottom seams rotate forward to collide with air molecules and create increased pressure. Their top seams rotate away from air molecules and create decreased pressure. Consequently, Magnus fastballs have increased pressure below the baseball and decreased pressure on top of the baseball. These pressures cause Magnus fastballs to move upwardly.

Gravity accelerates pitches downwardly at 32 ft/sec². Additionally, air molecules decelerate pitches. Decelerating pitches move downwardly. Therefore, Magnus fastballs do not move upwardly. However, rapidly spinning Magnus fastballs do not fall as rapidly as if they did not have the Magnus Effect. The decreased falling rates of Magnus fastballs fool batters into swinging below where they actually cross home plate.

1) Magnus Fastball Grip

In the following discussion, I will explain how pitchers should grip their pitches. The scientific designation for the thumb, index, middle, ring and little fingers are the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th digits. The 2^nd through 5^th digits contain proximal, middle and distal phalanges. The 1^st digit contains only proximal and distal phalanges.

To grip Magnus fastballs, pitchers place the distal phalanges of their 2^nd and 3^rd digits vertically across the middle of a big loop. Pitchers should jam the baseballs tightly against the proximal phalanges of the 2^nd and 3^rd digits. The lower one-third of the baseball easily rests on the middle phalange of the 4^th digit. The 5^th digit folds under the 4^th digit. The side of the joint between the proximal and distal phalanges of the 1^st digit presses lightly against the lower one-third of the baseball touching the 4^th digit.

2) Magnus Fastball Release

Magnus fastballs leave pitchers' grips evenly off the distal phalanges of the 2^nd and 3^rd digits. At release, the fingertips impart high velocity reverse horizontal spin axis rotation.

b) Magnus Curve

Magnus curves have four seams spinning clockwise with horizontal axes. Their top seams rotate forward to collide with air molecules and create increased pressure. Their bottom seams rotate away from air molecules and create decreased pressure. Consequently, Magnus curves have increased pressure on top of the baseball and decreased pressure below the baseball. These pressures cause Magnus curves to move downwardly.

Gravity also pushes Magnus curves downwardly. Air molecules decelerate pitches. Decelerating Magnus curves move baseballs downwardly. Therefore, rapidly spinning Magnus curves have several variables that cause them to change directions downwardly. The increased falling rates of Magnus curves fool batters into swinging above where they actually cross home plate.

1) Magnus Curve Grip

To grip Magnus curves, pitchers lay their 2^nd and 3^rd digits diagonally across the narrow seams of baseballs. Pitchers turn the lateral side of the distal phalange of their 3^rd digit against the seam along the top edge of the loop. They tightly press their 2^nd digit against their 3^rd digit. Pitchers jam Magnus curves tightly against the proximal phalanges of their 2^nd and 3^rd digits. Tight grips generate greater release spin velocities. Pitchers squeeze the baseball between their 3^rd and 4^th digits. The middle phalange of their 4^th digit forms a platform against which the 3^rd digit pushes. The 5^th digit tucks under the 4^th digit. The side of the joint between the proximal and distal phalanges of the 1^st digit presses tightly against the lower one-third of the baseball and touches the 4^th digit.

2) Magnus Curve Release

Pitchers drive the side of their 3^rd digit horizontally through the baseball. When the 3^rd digit reaches the end of its driveline, the 3^rd digit drives through the baseball such that the baseball moves over the 3^rd and 2^nd digits. At release, pitchers powerfully decelerate, stop and snap back their 3^rd digit. Champion yoyo artists similarly decelerate, stop and snap back their yoyos.

c) Magnus Screwball

Magnus screwballs have four seams spinning clockwise with horizontal axes. Their top seams rotate forward to collide with air molecules and create increased pressure. Their bottom seams rotate away from air molecules and create decreased pressure. Consequently, Magnus screwballs have increased pressure on top of the baseball and decreased pressure below the baseball. These pressures cause Magnus screwballs to move downwardly.

Gravity also pushes Magnus screwballs downwardly. Air molecules decelerate pitches. Decelerating Magnus screwballs move baseballs downwardly. Therefore, rapidly spinning Magnus screwballs have several variables that cause them to change directions downwardly. The increased falling rates of Magnus screwballs fool batters into swinging above where they actually cross home plate.

1) Magnus Screwball Grip

To grip Magnus screwballs, pitchers lay their 3^rd digits diagonally across the narrow seams of baseballs. Pitchers turn the lateral side of the distal phalange of their 3^rd digit against the seam along the top edge of the loop. They lay their 2^nd digit on the opposite side of that seam. Pitchers jam Magnus screwball tightly against the proximal phalange of their 3^rd digits. Tight grips generate greater release spin velocities. Pitchers squeeze the baseball between their 3^rd and 4^th digits. The middle phalange of their 4^th digit forms a platform against which the 1^st digit pushes. The 5^th digit tucks under the 4^th digit. The pad of the 1^st digit presses tightly against the baseball.

2) Magnus Screwball Release

Pitchers drive the side of their 3^rd digit horizontally through the baseball. When the 3^rd digit reaches the end of its driveline, the 3^rd digit drives through the baseball such that the baseball moves over the 3^rd digit with a horizontal spin axis. At release, pitchers powerfully decelerate, stop and snap back their 3^rd digit. Champion yoyo artists similarly decelerate, stop and snap back their yoyos.

2. Marshall Effect

When the four seams of baseballs spin as the Magnus Effect describes, about one-eighth of their leading surface contain seams. Therefore, Magnus pitches have their four seams collide with air molecules only about twelve and one-half percent of the time.

When I learned of the Magnus Effect, I immediately wondered whether baseballs could rotate in such a way as to increase the percent of the seams that could collide with air molecules. Therefore, I closely examined various ways that baseballs could rotate with seams on their leading surfaces.

With two figure eight patterns sewn together, baseballs formed four loops. I determined that baseballs could rotate in such a manner as to have one of these loops constantly on its leading surface. In this way, this loop could create a circle that constantly collided with air molecules. I call the circle that this loop creates, 'The Circle of Friction.'

Marshall pitches have seams that cover over seventy-five percent of the circle and about twenty-five percent of the leading surface. Also, whereas the seams of Magnus pitches collide with air molecules only one-half of the time, the seams of Marshall pitches continuously collide with air molecules. Therefore, Marshall pitches have significantly increased air molecule pressures acting on them.

Pitchers can place the Marshall circle of friction at various positions on the leading surface of their pitches. When air molecules collide with these seams, pressure increases to push the baseballs away from their circles of friction.

a) Marshall Slider

Marshall sliders have circles of friction spinning clockwise on the top pitching arm side of their leading surfaces with downwardly directed spin axes. Their seams rotate forward to collide with air molecules and create continuous increased pressure. Consequently, Marshall sliders have increased pressure on top pitching arm side of baseballs. These pressures should cause Marshall sliders to move downwardly and away from the pitching arm.

Gravity also pushes Marshall sliders downwardly and away from the pitching arm. Air molecules decelerate pitches. Decelerating Marshall sliders move downwardly and away from the pitching arm. Therefore, rapidly spinning Marshall sliders have several variables that cause them to change directions downwardly and away from the pitching arm. The increased falling rates of Marshall sliders fool batters into swinging above where they actually cross home plate.

1) Marshall Slider Grip

To grip Marshall sliders, pitchers lay their 2^nd and 3^rd digits diagonally across the narrow seams of baseballs. Pitchers turn the lateral side of the distal phalange of their 3^rd digit against the seam along the top edge of the loop. They lay their 2^nd digit tightly next to their 3^rd digit. Pitchers jam Marshall sliders tightly against the proximal phalange of their 2^nd and 3^rd digits. Tight grips generate greater release spin velocities. Pitchers squeeze the baseball between their 3^rd and 4^th digits. The middle phalange of their 4^th digit forms a platform against which their 3^rd digit pushes. The 5^th digit tucks under the 4^th digit. The side of the joint between the proximal and distal phalanges of the 1^st digit presses tightly against the baseball.

2) Marshall Slider Release

Pitchers drive the side of their 3^rd digit at forty-five degree angles through the baseball. When the 3^rd digit reaches the end of its driveline, the 3^rd digit drives through the baseball such that the baseball moves outside of the 3^rd digit with a downward spiral spin axis.

b) Marshall Sinker

Marshall sinkers have circles of friction spinning counter-clockwise on the top non-pitching arm side of their leading surfaces with downwardly directed spin axes. Their seams rotate forward to collide with air molecules and create continuous increased pressure. Consequently, Marshall sinkers have increased pressure on top non-pitching arm side of baseballs. These pressures should cause Marshall sinkers to move downwardly and toward the pitching arm.

Gravity also pushes Marshall sinkers downwardly and toward the pitching arm. Air molecules decelerate pitches. Decelerating Marshall sinkers move downwardly and toward the pitching arm. Therefore, rapidly spinning Marshall sinkers have several variables that cause them to change directions downwardly and toward the pitching arm. The increased falling rates of Marshall sinkers fool batters into swinging above where they actually cross home plate.

1) Marshall Sinker Grip

To grip Marshall sinkers, pitchers lay their 3^rd digits diagonally across the narrow seams of baseballs. Pitchers turn the lateral side of the distal phalange of their 3^rd digit against the seam along the bottom edge of the loop. They lay their 2^nd digit tightly next to their 3^rd digit on the opposite side of the seam. Pitchers jam Marshall sinkers tightly against the proximal phalange of their 3^rd digits. Tight grips generate greater release spin velocities. Pitchers squeeze the baseball between their 3^rd and 4^th digits. The middle phalange of their 4^th digit forms a platform against which their 1^st digit pushes. The 5^th digit tucks under the 4^th digit. The pad of the 1^st digit presses tightly against the baseball.

2) Marshall Sinker Release

Pitchers drive the side of their 3^rd digit at forty-five degree angles through the baseball. When the 3^rd digit reaches the end of its driveline, the 3^rd digit drives through the baseball such that the baseball moves inside of the 3^rd digit with a downward spiral spin axis.

Coaching Adult Pitchers