How to Throw a Cut Fastball

The cut fastball--part fastball, part slider--has all the advantages of the standard four seam fastball with an intriguing benefit; it moves to the side either coming in on the hitter or moving away from him. Properly thrown, it'll move almost as fast as a four seam fastball with almost no sink. This fastball can be a devastating pitch if mastered, but does require a lot of practice to get right.

Instructions

1. Begin by gripping the ball as you would a four seam fastball. Place your middle and index fingers perpendicular to the seams about three quarters of an inch apart. Fold your ring finger and thumb down and hold them against the bottom of the ball.

2. Make a slight variation to your grip to turn the four seam fastball into a cut fastball. Move your fingers slightly off center of the ball. Your middle finger should be right of center on the ball and your index finger should be near the center of the ball. This will create the side-to-side movement you are looking for.

3. Place your fingers on the right side of the ball to make the ball move to the left and place them on the left side of the ball to make the ball move to the right.

4. Hold the ball with your fingers, not your palm. This will ensure the pitch moves almost as fast as the four seam fastball.

5. Practice throwing the pitch repeatedly with slightly different finger positions. There is no one best way to grip the ball, but the main key is to use an off-center grip. The pitch can be challenging to make move and throw accurately at first. Find what works best for you and if you discover you cannot make the pitch work, concentrate on other pitches. No pitcher needs to throw every type of pitch.

Tips & Warnings

• Throw the cut fastball over the inside corner to get a called strike and outside to get the batter to chase a bad pitch.

• Never pitch without first properly stretching and warming up your arm.