How Do You Throw A Split Finger?
The split finger fastball is a pitch primarily used by power pitchers that appears as a fastball until dropping sharply as it approaches the plate. It is a pitch that requires large hands and can place a lot of stress on the arm, and is therefore most often used at the professional level, and not often seen in Little League. Grip the ball with the seams, as you would for a two-seam fastball. Spread your index and middle fingers wide, like a ‘V’ shape and grip the ball between these fingers. The seams should fall between your fingers. The ball does not have to be forced back into the webbing of your fingers, just deep enough that you are getting a strong grip from the fingers that are split. Throw the ball like you would a fastball. Like a changeup, it is crucial that the arm movement appears the same for a split finger as it would for a fastball. It is the expectation of a fastball, combined with the pitches late movement that makes it so successful. Throw it low in the strike zone. A
