Dave 'Boo' Ferriss: Former RHP Boston Red Sox

 

1. Could you tell us your story on dropping down?

  I started pitching sidearm to righties in the minors in 1942. I was a 3/4’s guy like a lot of pitchers today, not straight over the top. It was a spot pitch for me that I would use sometimes vs better hitters when I was ahead with two strikes. 

 

2. What are some of the advantages you had from your arm angle?

My biggest advantage was that I pitched from the right side of the rubber, so when I did drop down to sidearm, the must have looked to the hitter like it was coming in from behind him. Most of the time I only dropped down to big powerful righties, like DiMaggio and Greenberg. They were some great hitters in the 40’s.

 

3. If you didn't drop down, do you think you would have had the same success?

 To be honest I'm not quite sure

4. What would you tell someone debating on changing their arm angle?

 It can be an effective pitch versus same side hitters. Try it and see if it works, why not. 

5. Are there any mechanical tips that you'd give to someone throwing sidearm/submarine?

 No not really. For me going sidearm just came naturally I guess, trust your arm. 

6. What pitches did you throw?

I threw: fastball, curve, change, towards end of my career I threw a slider. I wasn’t an overpowering pitcher, wasn’t a Bob Feller. Was never going to blow it by a hitter but always had really good control. 

7. How did you pitch to lefties/righties?

Righties- I would go right after them and hit my spots. More fast/curve…lefties- I would mix it up, inside-outside, up-down, tried to make sure I could show them I could come in. Used my change more to them. 

8. Lastly what was your favorite part about pitching from down there?

 I was thankful to pitch in a World Series game in 1946 in Fenway Park. It was against a very solid Cardinals team with Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst, Enos Slaughter and I shut them out. It’s every baseball players dream to play in a World Series and I got to do that.