Positions to Use for Throwing a Fastball

Leg Position

• The windup and positioning of your legs should be similar for all pitches. Stand so both feet are pointing toward the plate. For right-handed pitchers, drop the left foot back and behind your body. Pivot and turn the front foot so the side of the foot is parallel with the rubber. Shift your weight onto the forward foot against the rubber, then lift your back leg into the air until your knee reaches your waist, and bend the knee to generate momentum and to maintain balance. Push off with your right foot -- that still is on the rubber -- and, as you throw the pitch, land the left leg forward so it is squarely in front of you and so the foot is pointing toward the plate. Left-handed pitchers should perform the same motions, but substitute the right leg for the left leg, and vice versa.

Four-seam Fastball

• A four-seam fastball travels fast and in a relatively straight line toward the target. To throw a fastball, place your index finger and your middle finger across the wide horseshoe shape created by the seams. Position your fingers so the fingertips are over the top seams of the horseshoe while the lower ends of your fingers are over the lower seams. Grip the bottom of the ball with your thumb by placing it on a bare, leather portion of the ball. Hold the ball with your fingers to create a gap or space between the ball and the palm of your hand. As the left leg is being lifted into the air, drop your arm holding the ball down and back while bending the non-throwing arm so the elbow is pointing toward the plate to maintain your balance. As you push off with your pivot foot, lift the throwing arm up and over your shoulder. Release the ball once it has passed your face, then follow through by allowing the throwing arm to fall around the body and toward the front leg.

Two-Seam Fastball

• A two-seam fastball is a fastball that initially appears to move in a straight line but gradually sinks down and cuts to the side on its way to the plate. Place your index and middle fingers directly on top of the seams where the seams create a narrow alley shape on the ball. With your fingers gripping the seams, place your thumb on the smooth leather between the narrow seams on the other side of the ball. To get more movement on your two-seamer, hold the ball tighter with your fingers, but make sure to leave a gap of space between the palm and the ball. To deceive the batter, use the same windup and throwing motion as you would for a regular four-seam faster, allowing the fingers and the spin to create the pitch's movement.

Split-Finger Fastball

• The split-finger fastball appears to be a normal fastball, then drops with a dramatic downward motion on its way to the plate. To throw this pitch, stretch the index and middle fingers and grip them along the outer edges of the horseshoe seams so both seams are just inside the fingers and so the top seam runs between the fingertips. Your thumb should be placed directly on the top horseshoe seam on the bottom end of the ball; make sure it is not on the same seam gripped by your fingers. When releasing the ball, keep your wrist stiff and your fingers pointing upward.

Cutter

• The cut fastball, or cutter, is an effective fastball that cuts sharply to the right or left at the last second before reaching the plate. While throwing the pitch, the leg movements should be the same as with a normal fastball; however, to create movement, you must hold and throw the ball correctly to generate side spin on the ball. Grip the ball with the same hand and finger position that you do with a four-seam fastball, but shift the entire grip slightly off-center so the index finger is directly on the top horseshoe seam and the middle finger is stretching across the big part of the horseshoe seam. Position your thumb on the bare leather portion on the bottom end of the ball, between the narrow seams, and bring the thumb slightly up the inside portion of the ball that is closer to your fingers. As you throw the pitch, use the same windup motion as you would for a fastball, but as you release the ball, slightly turn your wrist.