Biomechanical analysis of forearm pronation and its relationship to ball movement for the two-seam and four-seam fastball pitches

Just like a changeup, this pitch is slower than a fastball, but thrown with the same arm motion. If you want to apply more movement to your 2 seamer, try applying extra pressure to your index finger before your throw. You will notice that the ball will display more movement than before. Rather than going from side to side, you might begin to notice more of the vertical movement of the ball. For this pitch to be effective, you should note that the length of a person’s fingers can actually play a role in how much movement a 2 seam fastball can achieve. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about gripping and throwing a 2-seam fastball with simple, step-by-step instructions…

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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. While both of those particular pitches in baseball travel at high rates of speed, unlike a curveball or slider, these two types of pitches have very different movement paths. For the four-seam fastball, place two fingers across the seams with your thumb underneath. If you rotate the ball 360 degrees towards home plate from this position, you can count the four seams; hence, a four-seam grip. For smaller hands, it is natural to use three fingers on the seam.

The worlds of engineering and baseball have collided. Researchers at Utah State University are breaking down the physics of a new baseball pitch that’s been getting a lot of attention. This pitch is slightly more difficult to locate than the four-seamer, but still is thrown with good control. Still a fastball so all slow pitch machine force is applied right through the middle of the ball creating backspin with a little extra pressure on the index finger. A 2 seamer should be thrown at or close to maximum velocity while providing added movement. Explore my pitching workouts and throwing programs for players who work hard and don’t make excuses.

One of the most amazing things about the Cardinals’ World Series victory this year was that they did it without arguably their best pitcher. Adam Wainwright missed the 2011 season, yet still had a curveball that was 10 runs more valuable than second place finisher Wandy Rodriguez. That is a testament to just how dominant Wainwright’s bender can be. Baseball will be a better place with Wainwright back on the mound.

Its usually 9-12 mph slower than the 4-seam fastball. This one is still in the fastball family and moves the opposite way of the 2-seamer. Slower than a fastball, but thrown with the same arm motion. Your thumb should be directly underneath the baseball, not touching any of the seams below.

Though his velocity is not explosive, Lee relies on excellent movement and pinpoint command to make his two-seam fastball baseball’s best. It sets up his plus curveball and changeup very nicely. One pitcher calls what they throw as curve, but another calls it a slurve.

The 4 seam fastball is typically the first pitch that a young player will learn how to throw. The grip will allow the ball to move towards your throwing hand side, and may drop the velocity a few miles per hour, creating a good pitch to mix in with the four seamer. To grip the two seamer, position the ball a bit deeper in your hand than you would a four seam fastball. Once a pitcher learns how to grip a four-seam fastball, he should add a 2-seam fastball to his pitching arsenal. The motivation behind Smith’s study was years of speculation from fans and baseball insiders about what differentiates the three fastballs.

The two-seam fastball has a little more movement to the arm side. That means the ball will fade to the right on its way toward the plate if you’re a right-handed pitcher. If you’re a lefty, the ball will break toward the left side of the plate. As it moves in that direction, it will lose a bit of velocity and move down in the zone. Generally, pitchers will have slightly less control with this pitch because of that movement.

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. According to a study by Bleacher Report, Brandon Woodruff has the ultimate four-seamer in today’s game. Hey, I just want to take a second to thank you for stopping by and visiting coach and playing baseball.com. We as adults have a special privilege and an enormous responsibility to deliver to our baseball youth today.