If you want to learn how to bake a cake, talk to a baker. If you want to know about flying airplanes, see a pilot. And if you're struggling to perfect your delivery of a knuckleball, spend a couple of hours with Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro.
That's precisely what Minnesota Twins knuckler and Nashville native R.A. Dickey did in January, just weeks before reporting to spring training.
After five seasons that saw him repeatedly sent back to the minors, Dickey cleaned up his mechanics thanks to some hands-on advice from Niekro, and the results have been on display over his 18 relief appearances this year.
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Comments » 5
Sammy_Burklow_IsAMoron writes:
Knuckleball = long career (if you learn to throw it properly). Good luck RA.
chargervol writes:
I coached an All-Star 17-18yr. old team. There was a team that had five kids signed to colleges. We eventually sent four kids to colleges. When we played that team we knew they were dead red fastball hitters. They were hitting six or more home runs a game. We decided to throw our knuckleballer, circle change mid to upper 70mph. pitcher. He had them frustrated the whole game. We ended up prevailing 5-3. There coaches were a little upset after the game. As we were shaking hands after the game, I told their players they needed to work on their approach to breaking pitches. I hope they did. They were really a good bunch of ballplayers and seemed like some really good kids. GO VOLS!!!
Wayfarer writes:
My Dad was catcher/pitcher who threw a knuckleball. I stubbed more fingers and ate more dirt trying to catch him than I care to remember. It would dive, float, and sort of sway so many different ways as a catcher you had to be ready for it. No other pitch is more unpredictable as the knuckler. It a hard pitch to master but wickedly successful if you do. Dad was good enough to sign with the Yankees but a injury while at Colorado Springs for Air Force MOS training during the Korean War ended his playing days. I still have his copy of his Yankee contract.
chargervol writes:
Any player that is looking to advance in their preferred sport will listen to any advise and weigh heavily on what they could or did learn. I talked to these guys before and after the game. We talked baseball. I did forewarn them that we had a little something for them, they just laughed. After the game, they approached me. My advice for them was, look for the fastball first, but always keep an eye on the rotation of the ball. That tends to give you an idea of what type pitch it is. That is why I was coaching. At that level, I liked to win, but I would try to help and develope any player. These were young men trying to craft their sport. After the game, I got a couple of them together and I had a little batting practice with them and their coaches were with me. There coaches were appreciative and open to the tips I showed them. We had a really good time. Those guys were great. I don't see the point in calling people names. It not good for the character. I have a reputation to retain. Hopefully, you'll read this and understand, I was just trying to help them in their developement. Anywho, GO VOLS!!!
blitzshoot writes:
Good reply. My son fights. It can brutal, but when he has a bad day, I respect the opposing fighter and trainer along with their comments of "good fight." We return the favor when he wins. You are doing a good thing, but there will always be sore losers who are losers no matter what.
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