Why Nobody Throws The Best Pitch in Baseball

Summary

The script delves into the enigmatic world of the knuckleball pitch in baseball, a notoriously difficult pitch to master and hit due to its unpredictable movement. It discusses the pitch's history, its rarity with only 70 knuckleballers in MLB's history, and its resurgence with modern pitchers like Matt Waldren. The script highlights the challenges faced by catchers and umpires, the physical demands on pitchers, and the potential for the knuckleball to revolutionize the game once again.

Takeaways

• 🥎 The knuckleball is considered the most unhittable pitch in baseball due to its unpredictable movement caused by zero spin.
• 🎯 Despite being slow and seemingly easy to hit, knuckleballs are notoriously difficult for even the best hitters to make contact with.
• 👨‍🦳 Only around 70 knuckleballers have played in MLB's history, with 12.5% of them being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
• 👧 Teenagers and older players alike can throw knuckleballs, and they require minimal arm and lower body strength.
• 🤝 Knuckleball pitchers often have long careers with less risk of injury due to the low stress the pitch puts on their arms.
• 📉 The knuckleball almost went extinct from 2020 to 2023, with only a few pitchers throwing it with limited success.
• 🚀 Matt Waldron is credited with reviving the knuckleball, throwing it in a new way that has caught the attention of the baseball world.
• 🔄 Traditional knuckleballers often struggle with being effective due to the pitch's volatility and the difficulty catchers have in handling it.
• 👶 Many players learn the knuckleball as a last resort to save their careers when they struggle with other pitching roles.
• 🏫 There are specialized facilities and programs dedicated to teaching the knuckleball to aspiring pitchers.
• 📉 The success rate of learning and mastering the knuckleball is very low, despite many attempting to do so.

Q & A

What makes the knuckleball the most unhittable pitch in baseball?

The knuckleball is unhittable due to its zero spin, which causes the ball to move in unpredictable ways, making it difficult for hitters to anticipate its trajectory.

Why are there so few knuckleball pitchers in MLB history?

There have only been around 70 knuckleballers in MLB's history due to the difficulty of learning the pitch and the specific skills required to throw it effectively.

What is unique about the knuckleball's effect on hitters?

Hitters often dodge balls that are right down the middle and swing at pitches that hit them because the knuckleball's unpredictable movement tricks their perception.

How did Josh Booty, a former LSU quarterback, learn to throw a knuckleball?

Josh Booty learned to throw a knuckleball in a few months to compete in a reality TV show, despite not having pitched for 17 years, demonstrating the pitch's accessibility to those without traditional pitching experience.

Why did the knuckleball almost go extinct between 2020 and 2023?

The knuckleball nearly went extinct during this period because there were only three knuckleball pitchers who performed poorly, throwing a combined 15 innings with an ERA over 13.

What is special about Matt Waldren's approach to throwing a knuckleball?

Matt Waldren is bringing back the knuckleball in a new way, with a technique that is nastier and different from traditional knuckleball pitching, which has inspired others to follow suit.

Why do knuckleball pitchers often start as regular pitchers or position players?

Many knuckleball pitchers begin as regular pitchers or position players because they may not initially succeed in those roles, and learning the knuckleball as a last resort can save their careers.

How did the knuckleball help Tim Wakefield extend his MLB career?

Tim Wakefield learned the knuckleball after struggling as a regular pitcher with a career ERA over five, which allowed him to return to MLB and win a Cy Young Award.

What challenges do catchers face when catching a knuckleball?

Catchers face difficulty catching knuckleballs due to their unpredictable movement, often leading to passed balls or wild pitches, and sometimes requiring specialized catchers who can handle the pitch.

Why have teams struggled to develop knuckleball pitchers despite the potential benefits?

Teams have struggled to develop knuckleball pitchers because the pitch is extremely difficult to learn correctly, and even those with the physical capability often fail to master it.

How does the traditional knuckleball differ from the approach used by Matt Waldren?

Matt Waldren's approach to the knuckleball is different in that he throws it less frequently, mixes it with other pitches like sinkers, cutters, and sweepers, and maintains a higher velocity, making it harder for hitters to prepare for.