2 seam fastball

2-Seam Fastball

The 2-seam fastball is held with two fingers along or inside the seams and thrown naturally. It's slightly slower than a 4-seam fastball but moves in the direction of the pitcher's dominant side. Use the 2-seamer to make hitters swing and miss or to "freeze" them as the pitch breaks back into the strike zone.

"Keep the 2-seam fastball low in the strike zone. A high 2-seamer that fails to break has home run written all over it."

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Step 1

Grip the ball

First two fingers of your throwing hand directly along or inside the parallel seams at their narrowest point

Thumb rests on the bottom of the ball beneath and between the fingers

Finger's width between your palm and the back of the ball

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Step 2

Make your pitching delivery

Hold the ball loosely

Release the ball directly toward home plate

Palm behind and under the ball

Put backspin on the ball

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Skills Drills

Catch

To work on your 2-seam fastball control, play a game of catch with a partner approximately pitching distance away. Use the 2-seam fastball grip and award one point for each throw to the middle of the other's chest. Play to 10, 15 or 21. Focus on getting a feel for the amount and direction of the movement in the pitch.

Troubleshooting Tips

Need a Break?

If the ball is not breaking at all, check your grip. Your fingers should be on top of the parallel seams, and you should have some space between the back of the ball and your palm. Gripping the ball off the laces or too far back into your palm can flatten the 2-seam fastball.

READ "Fastball basics"

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by
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