What is A Splitter?

Question

Is it just a split finger fastball or does it include other pitches.

Answer 1

The split finger fastball or splitter thrown with the same arm motion as a normal fastball but the adjusted grip causes it to behave quite differently. The ball is gripped tightly with the index and middle finger "split" along the outside of the horseshoe seam. It is also held farther back in the hand than with other pitches, though not so much that the ball touches the webbing of the fingers. A splitter will drop dramatically as it approaches the plate, and break to either the right or left. The split-finger fastball is often most effective when it is located as a 'ball'; the pitch starts in the strike zone and then falls out of it, causing batters to 'chase' the pitch.

Answer 2

I wouldn't call a splitter a change-up. In fact, most splitters are versions of a fastball. It's just that the grip, with the index and middle fingers forming a "V" shape along the seams, causes the ball to drop at the plate. This movement distinguishes it from a normal fastball.

Answer 3

It's just a split finger fastball. Although some will tell you that a splitter isn't a fastball, but a changeup. Like a changeup, a splitter appears as a fastball to the hitter, and both are thrown with full arm action and less velocity.

Answer 4

Delivered just like a fastball and can almost be at the same velocity as a fastball but with a drop as it reaches the plate.

Answer 5

aka split finger fastball. The ball is gripped when you split your fingers as the seems begin to widen. The ball is thrown by snaping your wrist down. The ball will then have a diving motion before it slams into the catchers mitt.