Comments on: How to Throw a Fastball

on 8/19/2006 Instead of throwing a regular fastball with no movement,have your fastball cut up to 6-7 in. To do this you will have to grip the ball with your middle and index fingers to where the seams are parallel each other, like you would a four seam-fastball. Move your fingers to the left or to the right depending on which way you want the ball to cut.

on 8/11/2006 To gain more movement on a fastball, place your thumb back, so that the ball is being clutched by your top to fingers, but not being balanced with your thumb.

on 8/8/2006 Grip the ball across the 4 seam about two fingers apart from each other, and when you release, snap your wrist.

on 8/8/2006 First, grip the ball like you would a fastball, then attach your other fingers and thumb to the ball about 1/4 inches away from each other. Next, snap your wrist like a curveball. Usually it curves about 4 1/2 inches at the last second, so they go down if you throw it 2 inches above the strike zone and down the mid plate. I call it the all-fingered fastcurver.

on 8/8/2006 My favorite pitch is a fastball. I throw a four and a two seamer. Two seams are great for younger kids. I'm 14 and I throw a fastball, change-up, and a knuckleball. I have never had any arm problems, and I will not throw a breaking ball as long as I pitch.

on 8/8/2006 First, take you time to get to your balance point then explode downward at the catcher and keep you eye on the catchers mitt. If you are afraid of hitting the batter, pretend he is not there.

on 8/8/2006 Throw as hard as you can with your wrist facing second base, release the ball at an 82 degree angle,
you'll have a 14 inch break.

on 8/8/2006 Grip the ball with your index and middle finger inside of the horseshoe: ( )
and your thumb directly under the ball (or wherever is most comfortable for you). Release like a normal fastball, but put pressure on your index finger. The closer your fingers are together on the ball, the more movement.

on 8/8/2006 Have your middle and index finger each on the 2 seams closest )(. Then do a normal fastball approach and flick your wrist slightly to give more motion.

on 8/8/2006 I am 16, and I throw in the mid 80's. My most effective pitch is the two seam fastball. The reason for this is if I am down in a count, I can turn to this pitch and because it moves so much, the batter will be fooled and swing even if it's not a strike. The four seam fastball is what I normally throw in a 3-0 count, simply because it it a little easier to control. If you get ahead of a batter 0-2, then you should give him some junk to wave at, and if he doesn't bite, hit him with a two seamer down and away. I can almost guarantee he'll chase it if you throw it anywhere near the plate. He'll be protecting and the ball will be jumping around, so he won't know where it will cross.

on 8/8/2006 I know that it is impossible to really effectively alter your pitching mechanics, but I will try to do the best I can.

First of all, never throw junk! You can not afford to lose your arm just because you wanted to get a few strike outs in little league, at least wait until you are 14 or 15 (or start to shave) to start throwing junk. Take a look at Jamie Moyer, who is a veteran major league pitcher. He is not successful because of his slurve or any other breaking pitch. He is successful because he changes speeds. Get your fastball established and work on a good change up.
To throw a straight change, you just need to hold the ball as if you were throwing a four seam fastball, only with 3 fingers, and shove it into your palm. The key to an effective change up is to throw with the same arm speed as a fastball. The batter expects the ball to be a fastball, so their previous timing on your fastball will be the same, thus causing them to swing early and give a very meager slap at the ball (which will end in a miss or a weak ground ball).

The key to setting up the change up is a fastball. If you throw a change up to a batter the first pitch, they will hit it. Why? Because you have not shown them the pitch and they can't set their timing. Hitting is timing, pitching is upsetting that timing. OK, now about mechanics;
First, hold the ball behind you with your palm facing away. This allows for full hip rotation and gives you a faster fastball when used correctly. Secondly, your stride from the stretch or windup should be 80-100% of your full body height, from head to toe. Another important aspect is to have your body aligned - your shoulders, arms, hip, pretty much everything besides your head, should remain in line with each other until you explode.

*NOTE* No matter how strong your arm is, that will only increase endurance, it will not make you move faster, your arm speed does that. To get your arm to move faster you need explosive hip rotation.

Just try out this advice and you will see a dramatic difference in your pitching.

on 8/8/2006 When you throw your fastball, make sure you snap your wrist. If you snap your wrist it will actually make you throw faster. It might also put some movement on it.

on 8/8/2006 To hold the four seam fastball, you take the two seam and turn it left until your middle and index finger are on the one seam (about a half an inch apart), then place your thumb directly underneath your fingers on the bottom of the ball. A four seam fastball is faster than a two seam because it grabs more air with the seams. Also, it will really move if you throw it hard enough.

on 8/8/2006 This will increase your pitching speed about 3 or 4 mph.
When you're lifting your leg in the wind up, bend you right leg to get a little more push off of the mound. It helped me a lot with my fastball.

on 8/8/2006 Hold the ball exactly like you would hold a knuckleball. Then turn your wrist so that your knuckles are pointing to the left of you (right handed), throw the ball and roll your fingers off the ball. It's a slow pitch, but it's like a sinker, knuckle, and a change up in one. Perfect for a 0-2 count.