Throw a Cut Fastball
The cut fastball, or cutter, is a variation of either a two- or four-seam fastball. When thrown as a right-handed pitch, it moves from right to left, almost like a curveball, but with later, less severe break. The mechanics of the pitch, however, are still pure fastball, so you won't have to throw the pitch like a curveball. When thrown correctly, the cutter is a devastating pitch, designed to draw off-balance contact.
Contents
Steps
Two-Seam Cut Fastball Grip
- Start off by gripping the ball as you would a two-seam fastball. A two-seam fastball is gripped with the index and middle fingers on the two narrow seams of the baseball.
- Instead of leaving your fingers there, move your two fingers over to the right. Make sure your fingers are relatively close together. Your fingers can either be positioned so that your middle finger runs along the seam, or so that the seam runs directly in the middle of both fingers. Experiment with what works best for you.
- Move your thumb over so that it's diametrically opposed to your top two fingers. Diametrically opposed just means that if you extended both fingers in the same direction, they would eventually form a perfect circle.
- Think of the ball like a clock. If your thumb on a normal two-seam grip is at 6 o'clock, your thumb now should be at a 4 o'clock or 5 o'clock position.
- Turn in your wrist slightly in the direction of your thumb. For right-handed pitchers, this means turning your wrist slightly to the left. For left-handed pitchers, this means turning your wrist slightly to the right.
- Lead with the middle finger. When throwing a two-seam fastball, put extra pressure on your middle finger. This will create a natural spin on the ball that will help it cut.
Four-Seam Cut Fastball Grip
- Start off by gripping the ball as would a four-seam fastball. A four-seam fastball is gripped with the index and middle fingers going perpendicular across the U-shaped seams. Your two fingers should touch the seams of the baseball in four places: the bottom of both fingers and the top.
- Move your two fingers together and slightly to the right, placing extra pressure on your middle finger. This will help create the cut in your fastball, as the last finger that touches the ball will be the middle finger.
- Keep your thumb in the bottom position, or perhaps up on the inside of the ball, anchoring. Your thumb and your top fingers may not be exactly diametrically opposed, but they should be pretty comfortable.
Delivering the Pitch
- Hide the cut grip in your glove going into the windup. You don't want to telegraph your pitch until the exact moment you release the baseball. Tipping the hitter off early could ruin the surprise of the pitch.
- Think "fastball" all the way. The cutter is a fastball, after all. You want a simple up-and-down motion with your hand, not delivering any spin with your wrist.
- Make sure your arm-speed is similar to your fastball arm-speed.
- Extend your arm fully as you deliver the pitch.
- Follow through, and snap your wrist down while applying slight pressure with your middle finger for slight spin. This will cause the ball to move away from a right handed batter and in on a left handed batter.
Tips
- To add a lot of cut to this pitch, apply more pressure with your middle finger.
- This pitch is best used in a righty vs. lefty or lefty vs. righty match up as it will ride in on their hands and the bat handle.
- Start this pitch on the inside of a right handed batter and the outside of a left handed batter.
- Make sure you reach out as far as you can with your arm as you throw. This will make you get on top of the ball, allowing for more movement.
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