How to Throw a Sinker in Baseball

Throwing a sinker in baseball can be a great way to get an out. But how do you do it? Read this blog post to find out!

What is a Sinker?

A sinker is a type of pitch in baseball. It is a fastball that has downward movement. A sinker is thrown by gripping the baseball with the index and middle fingers along the seams of the ball. The sinker is held slightly off-center in the hand, with the thumb opposite the middle finger.

Definition

In baseball, a sinker is a type of fastball that is known for its “sinking” action due to the movement created by air resistance. The pitch is thrown with three things in mind: first, to get on top of the ball and create backspin; second, to get the ball to “sink” or “tail” down and in towards a right-handed batter or away from a left-handed batter; and third, to create deception by hiding the ball from the batter until it’s too late.

The grip for a sinker is different than a four-seam fastball in that the ball is held deeper in the hand, often with the pointer finger extended along one of the seams. This allows the pitcher to apply pressure to the top of the ball, resulting in increased spin and movement.

Sinkers are typically thrown with less velocity than a four-seam fastball, but make up for it with their movement. The best sinkerball pitchers can induce weak contact and ground balls at a high rate, which is why they are often used in late-inning situations with runners on base.

While all pitchers have some natural sink on their fastballs, some pitchers rely on this pitch more than others. Notable sinkerball pitchers include Dallas Keuchel, Jake Odorizzi, Masahiro Tanaka, Justin Verlander, and Zack Greinke.

History

Sinkers have been around for as long as baseball has been played. The first recorded instance of someone throwing a sinker was in 1884, when Pud Galvin of the Buffalo Bisons tossed one to Buck Ewing of the New York Metropolitans. Galvin called his sinker the “drop pitch,” and it quickly became a staple in his repertoire.

The pitch gained popularity in the early 1900s, when pitchers began to experiment with different ways to grip the ball to achieve different results. One of the most famous sinkerballers of this era was Christy Mathewson, who used his sinker to great effect en route to a Hall-of-Fame career.

Even today, sinkers remain an important part of a pitcher’s arsenal. Many of the game’s best hurlers, such as Mariano Rivera and Justin Verlander, have used sinkers to great effect over the course of their careers.

How to Throw a Sinker

Grip

The grip for a sinker is the same as a four-seam fastball grip. The only difference is the pressure you put on the ball. You will use your middle finger and index finger to put pressure on the side of the ball opposite from your thumb. The amount of pressure you put on the ball will determine how much spin is imparted on the ball and ultimately how much movement it will have.

Arm Angle

The arm angle is one of the most important aspects of throwing a sinker. This pitch is meant to be thrown with a low arm angle, somewhere between sidearm and submarine. By throwing the ball with a low arm angle, the ball will have more movement and be harder to hit.

Release Point

One thing to keep in mind when throwing a sinker is your release point. You want to release the ball a little closer to the ground than you would with a four-seam fastball. This will cause the ball to have more backspin, which in turn will make it sink more. You also want to grip the ball a little off-center, about three-quarters of the way up the seams. This will create more friction on the ball and again make it sink more.

Why Throw a Sinker?

A sinker is a type of pitch in baseball that is thrown with a two-seam grip. The two-seam grip allows the pitcher to put spin on the ball, which makes the ball sink when it is thrown. Sinkers are usually thrown by pitchers who want to get ground balls. Ground balls are easier to field than fly balls, so pitchers who throw sinkers are trying to get the batter to hit the ball into the ground.

Movement

A key to throwing a successful sinker is to get movement on the ball. As the name suggests, a sinker should sink as it approaches the plate. Sinkers are thrown with a two-seam grip, which means the ball is held with the two seams running across the top of the baseball. This grip is different from a four-seam grip, which is used for pitches that don’t have as much movement, like a fastball.

When throwing a sinker, pitchers try to get extra spin on the ball by applying pressure with their index and middle fingers. This extra spin makes the ball move down and to the pitcher’s glove-side (for a right-handed pitcher) as it approaches home plate.

Velocity

Throwing a sinker is all about getting good velocity on the ball. A good sinker will have plenty of movement, but if it doesn’t have velocity, it won’t be effective. Sinkers are thrown with a two-seam grip, which is held like a four-seam fastball grip, but the fingers are placed slightly off-center. This gives the ball spin and makes it appear to drop as it approaches the hitter.

Hitting a Sinker

A sinker is a type of fastball in baseball. The pitch is thrown with speed and has a downward motion. To hit a sinker, you must be patient and wait for the right moment to swing. When the pitch is low in the strike zone, that is when you should swing. A good way to practice hitting a sinker is to use a pitching machine.

Timing

The key to throwing a sinker is all about timing. You want to release the ball at the top of your pitching motion, just as your arm is about to start moving down. This way, you can get good downward movement on the ball, and it will sink as it approaches the plate.

Location

A sinker is a type of pitch in baseball that is meant to sink when it reaches the plate. It is also sometimes called a “dugout” or “tailing fastball.” Sinkers are usually thrown by pitchers who have a lot of movement on their pitches, and they are often used to get ground balls.

The easiest way to throw a sinker is to start by gripping the ball with your index and middle fingers along the seams. You will want to have your thumb underneath the ball for support. To throw a sinker, you will want to keep your elbow up and your arm close to your body. As you release the ball, you will want to snap your wrist and follow through with your hand towards the catcher. The biggest key for throwing a sinker is to have good arm action and follow through; if you don’t, the ball will likely not sink as much as you would like it too.

One thing that can help you throw a successful sinker is by using different types of baseballs. A heavier baseball will usually sink more than a lighter one. You can also try adding some extra pressure to the baseball before you throw it. This can be done by holding the ball tighter in your hand or by using a seam-gripping technique.

Conclusion

The most important thing to remember when throwing a sinker is to keep your wrist firm. A lot of times pitchers will try to guide the ball into the ground, but this only increases the chance of a wild pitch. Let the ball sink on its own and focus on keeping it low in the zone.

With a little practice, you should be able to throw a consistent sinker that will keep hitters off balance and help your team win games.