Movement on four-seam fastball

[staiviv]

How come you can't add movement to your four-seam fastball. I have ESPN insider and I looked at some scouting reports and some pitchers have GOOD movement on their four-seam fastballs.

[MarkB]

There is no movement on any 4 seam fastball by definition. A 4 seam fastball is straight and does not move. When you hear a reference to movement on a fastball, it means a variation of the fastball, such as the 2-seam fastball or the cutter.

[mvpmodder07]

There is no movement on any 4 seam fastball by definition. A 4 seam fastball is straight and does not move. When you hear a reference to movement on a fastball, it means a variation of the fastball, such as the 2-seam fastball or the cutter

I dont know if that is exactly right. Some guys throw 2 seamers that are flat and don't move. It really is all about the pitcher.

[jlaramay]

Yeah, altho as a pitcher their are ways to put movement on a seemily straight 4-seamer...of course like already said if it moves it's not a 4-seamer technically...but if you use a four-seam GRIP and use uneven pressure on the seams and flick your wrist (much like a doorknob slider) You can dip the ball or cut it in... :wtg:

University @ Buffalo LH Closer??? I wish.... :hail:

[cybernetic]

if a 4-seam moves it's really the trajectory and usually it's because the pitcher throws side-arm or 3/4 angle but it doesn't actually move it just goes on an angle because of the delivery of the pitcher.. a lot of lefties have a 9-3 trajectory on pitches because of the way they throw it

[probaseball203]

a 4 seamer can have movement...im a starting pitcher at my high school..and i can put movement on my 4 seamer..when im on..im unhittable with the 4 seamer

[MarkB]

Newsflash: if it has movement, it's not a 4 seamer. I used the 2 seamer and cutter as examples. A 4 seam fastball is a basic fastball. It rotates over the seams, there is equal turbulence on all sides of the ball, hence, no movement. If there is greater turbulence on one side over the other, it affects the balls movement. A 4 seam fastball is any fastball thrown which doesn't move in any way, regardless of grip used.

[All_Star]

Jon Leiber throws a sinking four seam fastball, he even said he doesnt know why it moves.

[kevineasyc]

John Lieber does not have a sinking 4-seam fastball. He has a 2-seam sinking fastball.

[rainman79]

if your wrist is slightly turned on the release, you can create movement on the four-seam fastball. the ball will have some kind of sidespin, making it move just a little bit, usually tailing away. guys like pedro martinez and jake peavy do not have a straight fastball, yet they are throwing a four-seam when they gear up and bring it...so ::newsflash:: by definition, a four-seam fastball is a fastball that goes straight, but not everyone is built the same way, so different people's fastballs move different ways, even if it is a four seamer. what they should do in mvp is either give you a choice of putting movement on the four-seam, or allow you to not have it for certain pitchers. guys like paul quantrill and jeff nelson do not throw four-seamers, so they shouldnt have them in the game.

[jlaramay]

exactly! Cuz I throw Left-handed and 3/4 release and my 4-seam fastball tends to cut down and in if I throw... :-) :wtg:

University @ Buffalo- LH Closer??? Possibility!

[nutts55]

A four seam fastball is a fastball griped so that four seams grab the air, making it less likely to move, but not impossible. I coach high school baseball and have seen may kids have movement on their four seamer with out extra pressure. Their velocity, arm slot, and many other factors can contribute to movement. But a four seam fastball is just a fastball griped so that four seams grab the air.

[Fastflink2009]

A four seam fastball can have movement!!!! It's that simple. When I take pitching lessons, and the instructor catches me, when I throw a four seam he says it sometimes moves left or right. A 2 seam fastball will move and so will a 4 seam. I don't know what you guys learned but I am 100% sure that 4 seamers can move b/c I have caught pitchers also where their 4 seamer moves. :duh:

[All_Star]

jon leiber may throw a 2-seamer, but most of his sinking fastballs are 4-seamers, it can have sink depending on how u throw it

[SwinginSoriano]

4 seamers have "movement" on the way the pitcher delivers it to the plate. Someone like Scott Proctor can throw 97 and have anyone turn on it while Roger Clemens can throw 92-94 and get that 4 seam past way more hitters. (Not because it actually 'moves') Also, putting it in the right place has a lot to do with it though!

[Sidewinder]

When it comes to pitching, every pitch by any pitcher will vary from other pitchers. That's what makes facing different pitchers and the various batter matchups interesting.

Bottom line is ball movement is effected primarily by

1. Grip

2. Finger pressure

3. Wrist angle

4. Atmosphere(Humidity, Elevation)Air resistance

So yes, a 4 seemer can have varied movement depending on these factors. Traditionally a 4 seemer can have a psuedo rising effect, but the grip presents the least amount of air resistance thus less movement and more velocity than any other pitch.

[jamcadbury]

a 4 seamer can have movement...im a starting pitcher at my high school..and i can put movement on my 4 seamer..when im on..im unhittable with the 4 seamer

Liar

[googles123]

I think what scouts mean when they say a player has movement on the 4 seamer, is that a pitcher puts incredible backspin on the ball, so it appears to rise towards the batter. Thats why roger clemans 93 fastball is so unhittable, whereas a guy who is throwing 100 but with little movement can be smacked around. You'll notice guys swinging way under a fastball that ends up a little beneath thier eyes, its because they think the baseball is coming in belt high, as the ball should if it didn't have that tremendous backspin that keeps it in a near straight line.