Splitfinger
From SoSH
Contents |
Overview
The split-finger fastball is a relatively recent addition to the pitcher's arsenal. The pitch is typically thrown with a speed slightly less than a fastball. Because the speed is fast, the batter must react quickly to the pitch. If the split-finger starts in the hitting zone, most hitters will swing at it, thinking it's a fastball. Its sharp drop make the pitcher extremely difficult to hit. When the pitch slips out of a pitchers hand, it typically behaves like a straight, slightly slower fastball (which is very hittable). Split-fingers are rarely called for strikes, as they dive much below the strike zone. They are typically thrown late in the count as strikeout pitches.
Grip
The ball is typically wedged in between the middle and forefinger's. Because the awkward grip is difficult to achieve, many pitchers cannot hide their attempt to wedge the ball, so they typically use the grip for every pitch, and switch, as needed, during their windup.
Action
The split-finger is much like a very fast knuckleball. Instead of dancing, the ball typically dives sharply once it reaches the plate. When the pitch does not come out of the hand smoothly, it will act like a straight, slightly slower fastball.
Variants
The most common variant is the "forkball", thrown like the splitter but jammed deeper into the fingers. Because of this awkward grip, the forkball tends to have less speed and less spin than the regular splitter, causing more of a knuckeball-like tumbling and less of a dive when the ball reaches the plate. The forkball is perhaps the most stressful pitch a pitcher can throw, causing much stress on the shoulder and elbow.
Another variant, thought to be invented by Mike Boddicker and popularized by Al Nipper, is known as the "foshball". The foshball is thrown like a split-finger fastball, except that the ball is placed between the middle and ring fingers, and it acts like a splitter with changeup or screwball action. Boddicker is thought to have initially called it a "forkscrew", but Orioles' pitching coach Ray Miller changed the name to foshball, a cross between a forkball and a dead fish (slang for changeup). This pitch is sometimes called the "Vulcan change" (a term coined by Eric Gagne) because the pitchers hand appears to be making the Star Trek sign for "live long and prosper"
