How to Throw an Effective Two-Seam Fastball

The two-seam fastball is a pitch that has become more and more influential in baseball. While the traditional four-seam fastball usually has 2-3 more mph than the two-seam fastball, it moves in a straight line towards the plate and is therefore easier for a batter to hit. The two-seam fastball will run either right or left depending on which seam you place the pressure, and thus will be harder for the batter to hit.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A baseball
• A catcher
• A mound

1. 

   Start by gripping the baseball along the two parallel seams on top of the baseball, with your second finger holding the inside seam, your third finger holding the outside seam, and your thumb underneath the ball. Hide this grip in your glove and make sure not to "tip your pitch" to the hitter

2. 
   greg maddux had one of the best two-seamers of all time

   Decide on which way you want the pitch to break. For a righty, if you want the ball to break to the left (like a cutter), put slightly more pressure on your third finger; If you want the ball to have a backwards break to the right, put slightly more pressure on your second finger. If you are a lefty, do the exact opposite. This little bit of pressure will cause the ball to get just a little bit of break that will throw the hitter off.

3. 

   Move into your windup just as if you were throwing a four-seam fastball. The release of a two-seamer is exactly the same as the release of the four-seamer; the break simply comes from the little bit of pressure placed on either seam of the ball. However, the ball will experience a bit more of a break if you lower your arm angle to a 3/4 angle rather than over-the-top delivery

4. 

   The ball should be only 2-3 mph slower than your four-seam fastball and should have just a little bit of movement so that the hitter will not get solid contact with the ball. If the ball doesn't move as much as you want it to, try adding more pressure onto either seam. Remember that the pitch probably won't work right the first couple times you throw it, but keep practicing it and it should get to a place where you want it to be

Resources

• Nolan Ryan's Pitcher's Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Power, Precision, and Long-Term Performance
• The Art & Science of Pitching