One of the most common misconceptions in baseball is that playing baseball regularly keeps you in shape for a great pitch. However, a great pitch comes from a good grip on the baseball. Hitting the baseball to score a home run depends on timing, but good pitching grips can always get in the way of the perfect timing.
Here are the seven most common pitching grips that every baseball player should know:
Four-Seam Fastball
The four-seam fastball is perhaps the most common pitch and the first baseball pitching grip that beginners learn. This pitching grip is fast but also gives the pitchers greater control on where they place the pitch.
To grip a four-seam fastball, you should place your index and middle fingertips on the perpendicular seam of the ball. The horseshoe seam of the ball should be facing the ring finger of your hand while your thumb is directly underneath the baseball, resting on the smooth leather instead of a seam.
While holding the baseball, hold it with your fingertips rather than in the palm so that the ball is a little away from the palm to ensure that the friction between the ball and your hand is minimum. Less friction will allow the ball to leave faster from your hand. The name of this pitching grip is a four-seam fastball because when the ball leaves your hand, the batter sees four parallel seams spinning.
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Two-Seam Fastball
A two-seam fastball is more like a cutter or sinker held slightly tighter and deeper in hand than the four-seam fastball. The fastball is about 1-3MPH slower than the four-seam fastball and sinks slightly. While the four-seam fastball is thought of as a straight pitch, the two-seam fastball is considered as a movement pitch because there is a slight movement and batters find it difficult to get a solid hit on it. Moreover, the two-seam fastball offers slower speed and less control to the pitcher.
To hold a two-seam fastball, place your index and middle fingers directly on top of the narrow seams. Place your thumb direct underneath the ball at the bottom on the smooth leather between the narrow seams. Hold the ball tighter and closer to your palm, and throw at full velocity. The name two-seam comes from the two horizontal seams that appear spinning towards the batter.
Beginner’s Curveball
This is one of the best pitching grips for the younger and advanced pitchers, and it does the exact opposite of a fastball. While a fastball spins from bottom to top involving a backspin, the curveball spins from top to bottom. Moreover, the leverage in a fastball comes from behind the top of the ball, whereas in a curveball, the leverage comes from in front of the ball.
To hold the beginner’s curveball, place your middle finger along the bottom seam of the ball while pointing out the index finger. Place your thumb at the back seam. When you throw the pitch, rotate your thumb upward, snap your middle finger downward, and point the index finger in the direction of the batter. The ball will go in the direction your index finger points.
Circle Changeup
Like the four-seam fastball, the circle changeup is another excellent pitching grip. To grip this pitch, hold the baseball with your thumb and index finger to make a circle or an OK sign with your hand. Place the three other fingers at the center of the ball and tuck the ball against the OK gesture of your index finger and thumb. Throw this ball with the same speed as a fastball but turn the ball over slightly by throwing the circle to the target as if you are giving a thumbs-down.
Knuckle Curveball
Knuckle curveball is an advanced variation of the curveball and is also called the spike curve. If you want to play mind games with the batter, try this pitching grip. The ball is thrown in the same way you would throw a beginner’s curveball with the difference lying in the index finger tucked back into the seam of the ball. Instead of the index finger pointing towards your target, the knuckle points towards the target. The ball looks like it is floating and darting in different directions to the batter because there is no spin added to the ball.
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Slider
As per the hitting legend Ted Williams, the slider is the best pitch in baseball. It is the third-fastest pitch in baseball after four-seam and two-seam fastballs. To grip a slider, position the ball in a similar manner as you would a two-seam fastball, but place your middle and index fingers beside the right seam. Rest your ring finger at the side of the ball and position your thumb under the ball on the smooth leather. Use a similar arm speed to a fastball and keep your wrist loose while throwing the ball to give more spin. With the perfect grip, the ball will spin off your index finger from the outside of the ball.
Split-Finger Fastball
The split-finger, also known as the splitter, looks similar to the two-seam fastball with a twist at the end. It is an advanced pitching grip and seems to work well if you have big hands. The pitch is Place your middle and index finger placed outside the seams and place your thumb on the back seam instead of the front. Throw the palm-side wrist directly at your target with the middle and index fingers extended upwards. The grip on the ball should be firm, and the wrist should be stiff. The release and delivery are similar to the two-seam fastball.
The splitter pitching grip was invented by Roger Craig and is popular amongst ace players such as Bruce Sutter, Rich Harden, and David Cone.
Conclusion
As a baseball beginner, you would find these pitching grips intriguing and will have to practice a lot to get the perfect grip and throw. The pitching grips may seem easy when you look at them, but only the right angle, speed, and release can perfect the pitch. There are several more pitching grips, such as straight curveball, palmball, three-finger changeup, and more, that you can learn once you have mastered these seven grips.
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