Both college and pro baseball pitchers master a variety of pitches, specifically fastballs. Every baseball pitcher who plays at a high level learns at least two or three types of fastballs. Each fastball moves in a unique manner that throws the batter off balance. In addition to our premium sports betting tips, it’s helpful to learn more about the game to increase your chances of success. Let’s learn more about the different types of fastballs a pitcher can throw.

Four-Seam Fastball

A four-seam fastball is the most basic form of a fastball, and it’s also the easiest to learn for most pitchers. A four-seam fastball is usually the first pitch pitchers will learn to throw. This pitch doesn’t have vertical or horizontal movement as it flies toward the batter; its primary goals are speed and accuracy. Place your middle and index fingers across the ball’s widest point to throw a four-seam fastball. Your fingers should be about half an inch apart, and your thumb will rest at the bottom of the ball against the seam. With this grip and proper form, you can throw a speedy and straight fastball.

Two-Seam Fastball

Like a four-seam fastball, a two-seam fastball also moves at high speed. The difference is that a two-seam fastball has a downward and horizontal movement, while a four-seam does not. To throw a two-seam, grip the ball along the seams in the place where the seams are closest together. Place your thumb under the ball on the smooth area between the seams and place most of the pressure on your middle finger and thumb. For right-handed pitchers, a two-seam will move downward and in towards a right-handed hitter, and vice-versa for left-handed pitchers and batters.

Cut Fastball

Also known as a cutter, a cut fastball moves the opposite way of a two-seam. While a two-seam from a right-hand pitcher moves to the inside of a right-handed batter, a cutter will move to the left. It’s one of the more complex types of fastballs that a pitcher can throw, and it can take years to master. The grip for this pitch is like a four-seam, except you move your middle and index finger so that your middle finger rests along the closed, U-shaped end of the seam. When you throw this pitch, apply pressure to your middle finger to make it move.

Split-Finger Fastball

A splitter, or a split-finger fastball, is an advanced fastball that takes years to master. To throw a splitter, split your middle and index fingers and place them along the seams of the widest part of the ball with your thumb resting along the bottom of the ball on the back seam. When a pitcher throws a splitter with the correct form and grip, the ball will dive downwards just before it reaches the plate, causing the batter to miss or ground out.