Tips to Develop Your Fastball, Slider and Curve Ball

Most pitchers develop several main pitches and then throw variations of those pitches.

Here are some tips for throwing the fastball, slider and curve ball:

Fastball – Four Seam
• Fingers across the seams
• Ball will rotate over four seams
• Ball behavior: stays straight usually more velocity (speed)

Fastball – Two Seam
• Fingers positioned on “horseshoe” seams
• Ball will rotate over two seams
• Ball behavior: sinking action

Slider
• Middle finger on seam
• Slight rotation of hand at delivery
• Ball behavior: hard “sliding” or curve action

Curve Ball
• Middle finger on seam
• Deliver pitch with wrist “cocked,” pulling down on the seam
• Ball behavior: “12 o’clock to 6 o’clock” slow curving action

As a pitcher, you should always warm up and develop good ball control and placement.

View videos showing these pitches.

Rawlings has a variety of 5-Tool training baseballs to help you improve your pitching. Look for model numbers 5THITATP, 5THITAATP and 5THITAAATP. To improve or take care of your arm, the 5-Tool Resistance Bands and Resistance Ball are perfect.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for information on tools to improve your pitching.