4-seam fastball question

quote:

Originally posted by Lcbball1133:
I'm a RH pitcher and grip my 4-seam fastball with the horseshoe facing to the left

does it matter if the horseshoe's facing left or
right?

Doesn't matter at all.

quote:

I know that your thumb is supposed to be directly under the ball, between your middle and index fingers

Not necessarily. Your thumb should, on a fastball, be relaxed and in its natural position. Your two fingers should be able to complete their flip down through the ball as the thumb releases. Some will have the thumb come up to the pad of the hand under the forefinger and middle finger, some will even have the thumb come up between, but others will emphasize the two fingers snapping through and will have the thumb release to the side to let that happen.

If you focus on placing your thumb directly underneath and between your index and middle fingers, often you will find that the ball will cut, if your two fingers roll off the right side of the ball to get around the thumb. You kind of need to see what works best for you.

Also, beware of holding the ball too tightly or too deeply in the hand. You need to have a relaxed grip that allows your forefinger and middle finger to whip through.

I don't believe the horseshoe position matters in terms of the pitch itself, but I always found the ball more comfortable in that position. Also it is easier to find that grip by feel, which is something that by now you should be able to do automatically (not only as a pitcher, but while fielding). And, it's easier to slip to your curve ball or 2-seamer grip from that position without looking or fumbling as well, which a pitcher absolutely must be able to do to avoid tipping his pitches. (Not to mention a cutter and slider, if you throw those, have to be thrown with the horseshoe out, pretty much.) So, for these reasons I would indeed recommend you make the switch.

yes when I hold my 4-seamer with the horseshoe to the left, my thumb is almost directly underneath my index finger, is that what I want?

What does your catcher say? Is it moving? Which is faster?

[quote]Also, beware of holding the ball...too deeply in the hand...[quote]

Nolan Ryan choked it all the way. Stay in your comfort zone.

[quote](Not to mention a cutter and slider, if you throw those, have to be thrown with the horseshoe out, pretty much.)...[quote]

From what I understand, Bert Blyleven had the same grip for all three pitches...he was a monster

quote:

Nolan Ryan choked it all the way

Not buying this one. In fact, though I'm not very tech savvy with copying photos off the internet into here, I found several photos with a quick Google search that pretty much prove otherwise.