split-fingered fastball

[ split-fing-gerd fast-bawl ]

noun

, Baseball.

1. a pitch, similar to the forkball but thrown with the same arm speed as a fastball, that drops suddenly as it nears the batter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of split-fingered fastball¹

First recorded in 1975–80; split ( def ) (in the sense “parted lengthwise”) + fingered ( def ) + fastball ( def )

Example Sentences

Brito suggested he learn a split-fingered fastball, but no one in the Dodgers system threw one.

From Los Angeles Times

They scored three more in the fifth for a 6-5 lead when Max Muncy blooped a double to left, Miguel Rojas hit an RBI single to left, and Ohtani poked a 92-mph split-fingered fastball on the outer half from Rays right-hander Taj Bradley into the first row near the right-field foul pole for the shortest homer of his seven-year career.

From Los Angeles Times

Teoscar Hernández walked to open the ninth and took second on a balk, but Rangers closer Kirby Yates struck out the next three batters for his 10th save, winning a 10-pitch battle against Jason Heyward, who struck out on an 86-mph split-fingered fastball before pinch-hitter Will Smith whiffed on an 87-mph splitter to end the game.

From Los Angeles Times

The velocity of Yamamoto’s secondary pitches were also down, his curveball by 2.4 mph and his split-fingered fastball by 2.9 mph.

From Los Angeles Times

The velocity of his secondary pitches were also down Saturday, his curve by 2.4 mph and his split-fingered fastball by 2.9 mph.

From Los Angeles Times