As you come through release, throw hard and think about getting on top of the ball and using your index/middle fingers to “roll over” to generate sidespin. We find that many athletes employ “FT 1” for both sinkers and two-seamers, but the most common separator is how the grip is used at release to create the desired movement. However, before we dive into that component, we’ll want to dissect how to hold the ball first. It’s called the two-seamer because, due to the grip, the batter sees only one pair or horizontal seams spinning, instead of two. Here are some pictures of different two seam fastball grips… In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about throwing a two-seam fastball that goes beyond “dirty” or “nasty” and usually involves embarrassing the batter…
It’s a great pitch to use if you are trying to overpower a hitter, or if their swing is slow. Pitchers have many choices to make when it comes to what type of pitch they want to throw. In this post, we’re going to take a look at the 4 seam fastball vs. the 2 seam fastball. We’ll discuss how each pitch is thrown and how it affects hitters. Lastly, we’ll give you our take on which type of fastball is best. A two-seam fastball is generally one of a pitcher’s fastest pitches, although it doesn’t have quite the same velocity as a four-seam fastball.
A pitching coach will tell you that a good 4 seam fastball is thrown with an over-the-top arm slot and with lots of spin on it. The main difference between a two-seam fastball and a four-seam fastball is movement. You will also notice a difference in speed, but the biggest difference is in the way the ball moves. In addition to speed and movement, you will find that grip and control also vary with the pitches.
With a four-seam fastball, more spin means more power in the pitch. Grip the ball with the seams either on top or with your fingers how to buy hittrax across the narrowest seams. Pressure on your index and middle finger at the release point will produce added movement.
Additionally, as part of most player’s arsenals, these two pitches are strategized to attack low in the zone and are recognized for inducing weak contact. Try to exaggerate pronation on this pitch and you’re more likely to execute it with great movement. Ball should run in and possibly down to the pitcher’s respective pitching arm side. Your thumb should be directly underneath the baseball, not touching any of the seams below.
A 4-seam fastball travels on a straight-line path to the plate while the 2-seam fastball travels either to the right or left, depending on the arm you use to throw the ball. When a right-handed pitcher throws the 2-seam ball to the center with the right hand, it will still move to the left; likewise, if thrown by a left-handed pitcher, it moves to the right. As stated earlier, 2 seam fastballs typically move to the pitcher’s arm side. Movement is great for pitchers – as long as they can control it. If a pitcher wants to generate more movement on his fastball, then a 2 seam is the way to go.
Because of the finger pressure, though, velocity decreases. The key is to maintain consistent arm action and arm speed so as not to tip the pitch. If you’ve ever watched a baseball game, you might realize that people talk about 4 seam versus 2 seam fastballs and want to know the difference.
Place your index and middle fingertips directly over the corresponding ball seams. This pitch is slightly more difficult to locate than the four-seamer, but still is thrown with good control. That causes the ball to sink to some degree, though this is not considered a “breaking pitch” and is thrown at full velocity.
There is a tumbling down action to the baseball, which can be seen out of the pitchers hand. The baseball starts in the zone and dives straight into the ground. The 2-seam fastball generally requires more seasoned skills to master than does the 4-seamer, since it has a higher chance of missing the strike zone.
The general rule for right handed pitchers is that throwing to a left handed batter, you will be placed at an advantage because the batter will be forced to be jammed inside with the pitch. The same goes for right handed batters facing a left handed pitcher. This creates the unique movement that clearly separates the 2 seamer and sinker from the 4 seam fastball. In this case, you will hold the ball so that the seams form a “U”. Using your index and middle fingers, you grip the ball on the two seams at the top of the “U”.