A good FASTBALL is a GREAT weapon!

Hey There Friend!

This week's article is all about the FASTBALL!

Many people believe that pitchers will "outgrow" this pitch. I disagree and here's why:

1. The fastball is typically thrown with the highest VELOCITY of any pitch in a pitcher's arsenal. If a movement pitch is thrown with "true spin" it is generally at least 3mph SLOWER on the radar gun than a fastball. For example, if a pitcher's fastball is 62mph her backward spinning rise ball will typically max out at 57-59mph. Being able to use the 62mph fastball will help create more timing issues for the hitter.

Let's say this pitcher opened the count with a change-up strike at 48mph that the batter watched, the next pitch was a 57mph rise ball right down Broadway that she fouled back and the 3rd pitch was a 62mph fastball at her hands that she couldn't catch up to and struck out.

All three of these pitches look and feel different to the hitter. That 62mph fastball keeps a hitter honest and will make it harder for her to be on time to the other pitches.

2. The 4-SEAM FASTBALL with good downward spin will hold a line to targets very well. One of the keys to being successful as a pitcher is the ability to throw the ball to locations that hitters can't make solid contact.

Let's say you know that a hitter has a hole in her swing and absolutely can't hit an outside pitch. All the pitcher must do to be successful is locate a pitch outside 3 times in a row. The 4-seam fastball is such a great option to use when you know that a hitter's weakness is a specific location.

Mastering targets with a fastball should be something that EVERY pitcher spends time practicing! HERE is one of my favorite ways to show pitchers and catchers exactly where the ball is crossing the plate.

3. The 2-SEAM FASTBALL has the potential to add some CUT to your fastball! This is a tool that many pitchers and coaches neglect to explore with the fastball. Lots of pitchers are able to get significant movement simply by where they grip the ball and the amount of pressure they apply with certain fingers.

HERE are various ways to grip the 2-seam fastball.

Don't let ANYONE tell you that advanced pitchers don't throw fastballs, that you can't succeed at the TOP level of the game with one, that you won't get recruited if you rely on it.

All of those things are just NOT true!

The fastball is a POWERFUL weapon when used with a purpose at ALL levels of the game.

If you've been neglecting this foundational pitch, I hope you will feel inspired to pull it back out and find a place for it in your arsenal of weapons!

All my BEST,
Myndie