FAQ to Jim Abbott:
Tips On How To Play Baseball - With One or Two Hands and Coaching Advice

Also see Jim Abbott's Official Website

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For Fans of Jim Abbott

Home
Biography
Resources
Current Events
Contact

Jim Abbott's
Official Site:

Speaking
Photos and Video


Q. How did you develop your pitching style?

I naturally threw a cut fastball. It was very hard for me to throw the ball straight even if I tried. Everything else in my style, followed off the foundation of pitching aggressively in the strike zone with the fastball, letting that natural movement work.

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Q. You had a strong 10-year career, why do you believe you were so consistent?

Thank you. I gave my best day in and day out. It wasn't always good enough, but I tried to work as hard as I possibly could.

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Q. Growing up, how did you overcome playing with the birth defect of having only one hand?

I had the great benefit of being surrounded by people who encouraged me to see what could be possible. Beyond that I loved sports and baseball in particular; I just played as much as I possibly could.

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Q. What were some of your pitching techniques in handling the level of competition in the MLB while dealing with your birth defect?

There were only a few. I had difficulty hiding the grips on my pitches from opposing teams and coaches; this affected me more later in my career when throwing more off speed pitches became important. You just can't sneak anything by the hitters at that level.

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Q. Did your handicap have an affect on hiding grips of pitches?

I don't, in anyway way, want to use my hand as an excuse for any difficulties I had on the mound. Until the day I retired, I always believed that there was a way to get things done, no matter what the circumstances were. I worked hard to try to hide the pitches from other teams, but if my stuff would have been good enough, it wouldn't have been such an issue. I think the pitching coaches that I had at the time would agree. I am certain that there will be another pitcher some day, born like me, who will devise an even better way of going after major league hitters.

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Q. Do you know of other one-handed pitchers?

Yes! Chad Bentz is a pitcher currently pitching with the Montreal Expos.

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Q. After struggling to master switching your glove to field did you ever doubt what you were doing? And if so what drove you to continue?

Only when I saw a few line drives up the middle did I doubt my technique, but I learned to "duck" like everybody else.

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Q. I am the coach of a player with only one hand. What is the best way to help him?

I was very fortunate to be surrounded by people who treated me just like the other kids on the team. The most important aspect of your coaching will probably be flexibility. Just learning to do things in a little different way is the key. Maybe holding the bat in a new way or transferring the ball from the glove to his hand. There are many ways to do it, it just takes a lot of time and practice to get to a point where it's second nature. One thing I found very effective was throwing a ball against a wall to field it, this really helped increase my speed in switching the glove of and on. Maybe a local sporting goods store can help you restring his glove so that the opening where he takes his hand in and out is a little wider... little adjustments like these really helped me. Keep up the great work. I will always remember and cherish the people who reached out to me when I was a kid. They made a lasting impact on my life.

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Q. Do you know of special glove for those with a hand problem?

I am sorry to say that I don't know of any customized glove manufacturers. I used to go to a great shoe repair shop, where they could make slight alterations in my gloves.

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Q. What advice would you give to players with disabilities? What were the keys to your success?

I believe you need to be very open minded to new solutions. Comfortable with trying different ways of getting things done, and be strong enough to ignore the attention that being different might bring.

For more information on Jim Abbott,
and to bring him to do a speech at your event,

Contact Lilly Walters, email: Lilly@jimabbott.info or call 909-398-1228
Jim Abbott, One Handed Baseball Pitcher and Motivational Keynote Sports Business Speaker Also see Jim Abbott's Official Website

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Jim Abbott, One Handed Baseball Pitcher and Motivational Keynote Speaker

Jim Abott, One Handed Baseball Pitcher and Motivational Keynote Speaker

Jim Abbot, One Handed Baseball Pitcher and Motivational Keynote Speaker

Jim Abbott, One Handed Baseball Pitcher and Motivational Keynote Speaker

Jim Abbott, One Handed Baseball Pitcher and Motivational Keynote Speaker

Jim Abbott, One Handed Baseball Pitcher and Motivational Keynote Speaker

Jim Abott, One Handed Baseball Pitcher and Motivational Keynote Speaker

Jim Abbot, One Handed Baseball Pitcher and Motivational Keynote Speaker

Jim Abbott, One Handed Baseball Pitcher and Motivational Keynote Speaker

Jim Abbott, One Handed Baseball Pitcher and Motivational Keynote Speaker