How to Throw a Four Seam Fastball

The fastball is the anchor of a pitcher's repertoire of pitches. It's by far the most commonly thrown pitch, thrown by almost all pitchers. The four seam fastball is the fastest variety of fastball. When thrown properly, it'll appear to rise in the strike zone. Although the pitch does not actually rise, it appears to because it travels in a straight line and all other baseball pitches sink.

Instructions

    • 1

      Grip the ball by placing your middle and index fingers perpendicular to the seams. Your middle finger should be near the edge of the seam and your index finger should be about three quarters of an inch to the side of your middle finger. Fold your ring finger and thumb down and hold them against the bottom of the ball.

    • 2

      Hold the ball with your fingers, not your palm for the fastest results. The more of your palm that touches the ball, the slower the pitch will be.

    • 3

      Throw the ball with maximum effort and use a normal three quarter arm position. Your arm should be slightly slanted away from your head.

    • 4

      Snap your wrist forward as you let go of the ball. The harder you snap your wrist, the more rapidly the ball will spin and the ball will appear to rise.