I am a 16 yr old LHP. Although it is rare to find this at my age, at this point my changeup is better than my curveball. That is not too say that the curve is bad, all I hear is how much potential the pitch has to be really good. It's a big, slow curve and breaks a ton but I have trouble locating as well as I want. I can throw it for a strike but I can't necessarily locate it perfectly and if it's hung over the plate, ouch. The main issue is when I try to throw it, let's say, for a first pitch strike. I find myself overcompensating too much and "snapping" too much and therefore it ends up in front of the plate and inside to the righties in the dirt. Although that's not a bad 0-2 pitch (try to get them chasing maybe), starting a batter off you need to get ahead. I've tried to "snap" less, but the break nearly isn't as sharp and it's put in play harder much more often. Any suggestions?

Throw it a little bit harder in that situation and accept a little less break. A first pitch curve seldom has to do much to be effective unless you start throwing it to almost every batter.

Plus, if you throw it harder like CADad suggested, you might get later movement.

JH

Take it up with our coaches in PA next weekend--talk with Coach Blinn and Coach Mandl--keep in mind that they are both LHP

TRhit- I will certainly do that next weekend. Did you get my father's message earlier?

Do you have a target to throw to when you are throwing the curve? It is important to throw the ball to a location as opposed to throwing it and trying to get it to a location. You might start with throwing just above the catcher's shoulder to get the ball to curve for a strike. Then try throwing to the catchers mask and breaking the ball off of the plate as an out pitch. Start with these locations and then make small adjustments as needed. I also agree that you may want to throw the ball a little harder. Don't over-throw just relax and throw like you would on a 3-0 fastball to a number nine hitter. Hope that helps. Good luck!