Fastball Variations

The best way to work on your movement is experimenting with different pressure points with your fingers. The reason Greg Maddux has such good movement is that he is constantly experimenting with different grips, finger placement, or release point. I read that he tries to invent a new pitch each time he works in the pen (can you imagine how many different pitches that is?).
The moral is practice, practice, practice. Pitch, Pitch, Pitch. Don't be afraid to try new things during the game (1-1 or 1-2 are good counts), you never no what you can do till you try.
The forkball is a successful pitch if thrown low in the zone just like any pitch. Are you throwing a fork or split because there is a difference?

Keep working hard,
Justin Stringer
Do It Right Baseball
Lane Tech Baseball
www.doitrightbaseball.com
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Thanks, I've done that before and I guess I thought it wasn't okay to throw like that in the games, but then again every fb grip is basically a different pressure point with different laces rotating.

The "forkball" is holding the lace so that http://zeus.baseballgreece.com/pictures2/sf1.jpg it comes down, I'm not really sure what its called but a coach wants me to try it - my change was hanging too much so my only offspeed is a curve.

I've been throwing a ton, taking today/tomorrow off, just some light throwing. Is there anything else I should do for recovery?

Correction: This is a very common misconception, that picture you had posted is of a split finger, not a forkball. If you want to see a forkball watch Jose Conteras of the White Sox
http://www.ligerz.com/images/forkball.jpg

And there will be no split finger without the pitcher have extraordinary long fingers---take a look at the fingers of the guys have good split fingers---Pedro has fingers like a spider

Try tweeking your arm slot and posture. See where your head is at at release point on video. This could be the answer to getting the movement you want.

trhit

quote:

And there will be no split finger without the pitcher have extraordinary long fingers---take a look at the fingers of the guys have good split fingers---Pedro has fingers like a spider

I believe long fingers are benificial in throwing a split, but thier are examples of pitchers with shorter fingers who had great splits.

Dee,

I'm drawing a blank as to who had short fingers and a great split, could you please help me remember?

Thanks!

Rod Beck had very small hands as did Jeff Brantley. Both of these pitchers also had very good split fingers.....Roger Craig era guys... It is not ideal to have short fingers for this pitch, but it can be done and done well.

Thanks Dee,

I never knew Rod Beck had small hands, I guess it's true you learn something everyday!