How to Throw a Splitter Baseballs

Introduction

The splitter, or split-finger fastball, resembles a fastball in both velocity and direction as it heads toward the plate. When thrown well, though, it loses speed and drops to the dirt just before it reaches the hitter.

 Overall Things You'll Need

•     Baseball Fielding Gloves
•     Baseballs
•     Baseball Scoresheets
•     Baseball Cleats
•     Baseball Caps/hats

Instructions

Step One

Grip the ball as you would a two-seam fastball, holding it with your middle and index fingers at the point where the seams are closest to each other.

Step Two

Spread your middle and index fingers outward and along the seams, extending them to the point where the seams are farthest from each other.

Step Three

Support the ball with your thumb and small fingers. Your thumb should lie along the seam stitched on the underside of the ball, while the ball should rest in a "V" formation.

Step Four

Go into your windup. Remember to pivot and shift your body weight from your back foot forward toward home plate.

Step Five

Keep your wrist loose as you release, and try not to throw the ball with more than an adequate amount of force.

Step Six

Throw the pitch using the same motion as a fastball, flicking your wrist downward as you release.

Step Seven

Follow through. Your feet should parallel each other at the end of the pitch, and your throwing arm should come across the front of your body.

Tips 

Wrist angle is key 

The key to effective movement is the angle of the wrist snap. You should avoid the wrist action that typically occurs when throwing a fastball. This is done by focusing on keeping your hand on top of the ball throughout the entire release. The pitch I throw gets more of a forkball tumbling action. The spin coming out of your hand should look like a bad knuckleball but thrown with a lot more velocity. Overall, it's a devastating pitch which is much easier to control than a curveball and much easier on the arm than a slider.

Throw a great splitter 

Hold the ball where the seams are farthest apart. Put your index and middle finger a little bit outside the seams on opposite sides of the ball. Put your thumb underneath the ball and your ring and pinkie off to the side. The ball should sink at least one foot.

How to throw a knuckle curve 

If you want a breaking ball without hurting your arm, the knuckle curve is perfect. Hold the ball on the horse shoe in the seams. Dig your index finger into the seams while your middle finger stays extended. Throw the ball like a fastball, don't change arm speed or wrist movement. It will feel uncomfortable at first, but practice makes perfect. Plus, it looks like a fastball to the batter so it will be unexpected.

Breaking split 

First, when holding the ball you should split your finger so you can see the 'U' seam between your index and middle finger. Have only one thumb on the bottom half of the ball so there is a half inch space from the ball and your thumb's knuckle. I keep my wrist back on the delivery so the ball slips though the fingers causing tremendous break. I screw batters into the ground with this pitch. Make sure you have enough arm speed to get the ball across the plate.

How to throw a split fingere fastball

First, you should grip your fingers on the top of the ball like a 'V', then you should try to get used to the grip so it wont hurt your fingers. Then do your wind up. When you throw it, you should release it in front of you and snap your wrist back (like throwing a sinker). When you first start throwing it, it should have a lollipop break (like a Barry Zito curveball), then when you start throwing it more, it will break right off a table, it will look like a fastball. Then at the last 6 inches of the plate it should head straight down. If you get really good at throwing it, you will have a tail on the ball when you release it. It will go in to a right hander then break right off a table.

Exerting differing pressures with your fingertips will control the splitter's downward movement. Experiment with making the ball drop at different speeds as it approaches home plate.

 A similar, though more challenging, pitch grip is the forkball. Grip a forkball by splitting your middle and index fingers as wide as possible, creating a "V" formation outside the seams. Your thumb should provide the main support, lying on the underside of the ball between the middle and index fingers. When thrown properly, the ball should show more movement than a change-up.

Warnings

This is an advanced pitch for more mature arms only. Consult a baseball coach or manager for more information on throwing the splitter.