Out of all the baseball pitching grips, fastball grips are the easiest to master and be consistent with. The lower one's arm slot the more the ball is likely to run. Keep in mind that arm slot plays a role in amount of movement on this pitch. Try to exaggerate pronation on this pitch and you're more likely to execute it with great movement. The wrist naturally pronates through release. By placing more of the pressure on the index finger, it will naturally cause the ball to move in the direction of the pitching arm side at the release point and subsequently towards the plate, creating the "running" movement. It should be noted that length of fingers and overall hand size can play a role in how much the ball may move, to some degree. To get this pitch to be effective and run the way it's supposed to, you should place slightly more pressure on the index finger than the middle finger. Maintain a good arm slot not too high, not too low.Put slightly more pressure on the index finger.Properly place the fingers with the seams.More images of two-seam fastball grips Image source: 4 secrets to a great two-seam fastball Ball should run in and possibly down to the pitcher's respective pitching arm side.Still a fastball so all force is applied right through the middle of the ball creating backspin with a little extra pressure on the index finger.
![grip for fastball 2 finger grip for fastball 2 finger](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/De1KX03IUCM/maxresdefault.jpg)
Index and middle fingers going with the seams, thumb underneath.Here are some pictures of different two seam fastball grips. To develop a great fastball like James Shields, it's important to remember this:Ī 2 seamer should be thrown at or close to maximum velocity while providing added movement. The index and middle fingers are now placed in line with the seams with the thumb, again, being placed underneath. I say "allegedly" because some pitchers throw their two seamer a couple miles per hour slower than their two seamer but many throw both pitches just as hard. This allegedly causes the ball to move more but also a hair slower. It is called a "two seam" because when thrown, the pitch only has two seams cutting through the air towards the target. The 2 seamer is a pitch thrown much like the 4-seamer but with different finger placement and with a different function. I love that movement right there as Shields gets Neil Walker with this two-seamer that curls back over the plate for the backwards K.
![grip for fastball 2 finger grip for fastball 2 finger](http://www.youthpitching.com/img/2-seam-grip-1.jpg)
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.īut first, check out this two-seam fastball from pitcher James Shields: Image source: