In another thread cgeorg wrote this:



So, being curious, I pulled out my ball, and tried it. My thumb fit is pretty snug, so I actually wasn't too worried about it...but I held the ball, relaxed, and it dropped right off....fingers first. Hmm....

I put the ball on my hand, and really looked at it. I realized that with my fingers in the ball up to the first knuckle, and my thumb in all the way, I can (with ease) lift my palm off the ball, resulting in a gap wide enough to stick a pencil through. Does this, as I suspect, indicate that my span is off?? Would that also cause me to squeeze??

I have also been experiencing some pain at the base of my thumb (palm side). Now that I think of it, this is probably from squeezing, too...I had just thought I needed a thumb insert.

Is a new ball (or a plug and redrill) the only way I can stop squeezing???

It sounds like your span is off. And if your span is off, then that would definately attribute the squeezing and grabbing you think and probably are doing.

It also sounds like your thumb pitches are off a little as well. The thumb should come out first I would imagine with this exercise, but I wouldn't know this is the first I've ever heard about it.

Unfortunately a redrill is the only way to fix a bad fit. It's the only way that I know of.

Actually that space is normal if the span is right. Having a proper fit is important in order to stop squeezing, but it will take more than just that to stop.

I agree with what infernocal said.



This is normal.

To add to all of that, the only part of the hand that should come in contact with the ball is the base of the thumb, the base of the index finger, the index finger and the fingers where they go into the ball.

infernocal, are you talking here about the swing or the picture above?

Both, the ball should hang on the hand the same way during the swing, and also the pinkie should be in contact near the finger tip normally the pad, or if you tuck the pinkie at the the first knuckle.

In Lefty's picture neither the index finger or pinkie is touching in order to show there is space under the palm.