I really need to get movement on my fastball and my 2 seam doesnt move, and niether does the 4 seam. Is there any simple things i an do to make the pitch move more?
Posts: 14 | Location: arkansas | Registered: June 12, 2007
The four seam will not tend to have a lot of movement. It is the straightest pitch.
Movement is affected by grips and by finger pressure. And to some degree mechanics. It can be more difficult, for instance, to get movement from an "over the top" delivery than from a low three quarters.
"Show me a guy who won't pitch inside and I'll show you a loser" Sandy Koufax
Posts: 4133 | Location: Texas, USA | Registered: June 02, 2003
Typically, for me, fingers closer together promotes movement while fingers farther apart keeps it straighter. Play with the index and middle finger along with the thumb. Different combos can do different things. Experimentation is amazing!
Posts: 1344 | Location: Dallas | Registered: May 06, 2006
I've found that pitchers who have a hard time getting arm side movement on their pitch have more success throwing a cut fastball.
The way I teach it... start with your four seam grip, put your fingers together and slide them over to the top of the "horseshoe". Apply a little more pressure to your middle finger than your index finger.
Be sure you learn this pitch with a coach who understands it. You will get more movement if you turn you hand at release (kind of like a mini slider), but that also opens you up to injury.
You can probably find pictures online to show you the grip better than I was able to describe it in words
Make the routine play!
Posts: 113 | Location: Illinois | Registered: May 25, 2006
The first thing you can do is make sure you are throwing left handed.
(Rim shot, please!)
But for those of us who were cursed with right-handedness, the advice above is good. I would add that a common issue is gripping the ball too tightly or too deeply in the hand/fingers. Try to move the ball out to your fingertips, hold it more loosely and throw with whip action instead of by muscling the ball.
Posts: 2510 | Location: Virginia | Registered: February 01, 2006
well your 4 seam fastball is supoosed to be the fast and straight dominate pitch but for your 2 seam you want to have movement and you put movement by applying pressure with your index or your middle finger!
i know this by training with 4 professinal scouts but try to apply pressure different ways with your fingers and you will get different results try it!!!
Posts: 6 | Location: Alabny | Registered: September 02, 2007
Originally posted by rebel_freshmenphenom: well your 4 seam fastball is supoosed to be the fast and straight dominate pitch but for your 2 seam you want to have movement and you put movement by applying pressure with your index or your middle finger!
i know this by training with 4 professinal scouts but try to apply pressure different ways with your fingers and you will get different results try it!!!
same concept almost as putting spin on a basketball,,let the ball spin as freely as possible off your finger tip pads,,putting pressure on this finger or that finger will slow down your ball and make you less consistent..work on letting the ball spin,,dont choke it with pressure points.
Posts: 187 | Location: DUPAGE COUNTY ILLINOIS | Registered: February 03, 2006
the 4 seam fastball is supposed to be your fastest fast ball and the faster you throw the flatter it will be. So on the 2 seamer dont try to throw it any harder the grip will do it for you, and if you throw over the top it may be a little more difficult to find movement in that pitch. So I would try and lower your arm slot to give it some movement as well.
