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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.
Steps
Two-Seam Cut Fastball Grip
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1Start 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.[1]
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2Instead 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.[2]Advertisement
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3Move 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.
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4Turn 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.
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5Lead with the middle finger. When throwing a two-seam fastball,[3] 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
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1Start 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.[4]
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2Move 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.
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3Keep 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
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1Hide 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.[5]
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2Think "fastball" all the way. The cutter is a fastball, after all.[6] 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.
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3Follow through, and snap your wrist down while applying slight pressure with your middle finger for slight spin.[7] This will cause the ball to move away from a right handed batter and in on a left handed batter.
Community Q&A
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QuestionIs it okay to throw a cutter if I'm a youth pitcher? (I'm 11.)
Community AnswerYes. Throwing a cutter will not torque your wrist or violently turn your thumb and fingers, both of which stress the tendons. A fastball/cutter is a clean throw. Your arm will last longer if you continue to pitch as you age. -
QuestionWill throwing like this help me to throw faster?Community AnswerNo, this is just a pitch that curves inside or outside depending on what arm you throw with. Throwing this way will give you a tactical advantage but your speed will stay the same.
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QuestionHow do I throw a knuckle curve?
Community AnswerFor the grip its just a regular curve ball, but you put your middle finger's knuckle against the ball. For the delivery, it's a fastball delivery, but experiment and figure out which is best for you.
-Step-8.webp)
References
- ↑ http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/2_seam_fastball_grip.htm
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA83LhMHaxw&t=74s
- ↑ http://www.baseball-pitching-tips.com/two-seam.html
- ↑ http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_grips.htm
- ↑ https://baseball.epicsports.com/baseball-pitching-styles.html
- ↑ http://www.helpful-baseball-drills.com/howtothrowafastball.html
- ↑ http://www.helpful-baseball-drills.com/howtothrowacutter.html
- http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/how_to_throw_cutter.htm
About This Article
To throw a cut fastball, start by gripping the ball with your index and middle fingers on the two narrow seams of the baseball. Next, move your two fingers over to the right, keeping them relatively close together, so that your middle finger runs along the seam. Then, turn your wrist slightly in the direction of your thumb and snap your wrist down with your middle finger to create spin that will help the ball cut as you release it. For tips on different kinds of grips, read on!
