How to Throw an Effective Cut Fastball
The most famous cutter pitcher -- and arguably one of the best -- is Mariano Rivera. He just celebrated his 1,000th game appearance as the New York Yankees' closer by using this elusive pitch that darts away from the hitter's bat as if it is alive. In your efforts to throw an effective cut fastball, you've chosen a challenging pitch and a noble pitcher.
A cut fastball, or cutter, moves away from your throwing side with about 95 percent of your regular fastball velocity. The off-center grip causes the baseball to have more side spin, as opposed to the fastball's usual top-to-bottom rotation. This odd rotation is due to the Magnus Effect, the name for the phenomena of physics that causes a baseball to rotate in the area toward the least pressure. Whatever the science behind the pitch, it works.
A cut fastball, or cutter, moves away from your throwing side with about 95 percent of your regular fastball velocity. The off-center grip causes the baseball to have more side spin, as opposed to the fastball's usual top-to-bottom rotation. This odd rotation is due to the Magnus Effect, the name for the phenomena of physics that causes a baseball to rotate in the area toward the least pressure. Whatever the science behind the pitch, it works.
Things You'll Need
- baseball
Instructions
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1
Hold the baseball with the correct grip for a cut fastball: Hold the ball in your throwing hand with your index and middle fingers on the open top of the ball's "U" seam. Unlike a two-seam fastball grip, slide your thumb toward your ring and little fingers so that the ball is held slightly off-center.
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Throw the ball using the same pitching mechanics, arm slot and arm speed as your regular fastball.
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3
Practice and experiment. Adding pressure to the index finger will move the baseball toward the throwing-arm side while additional middle finger pressure will cause the ball to move away.
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