split-fingered fastball
noun
split-fin·gered fastball
ˈsplit-ˈfiŋ-gərd- 
: a fastball thrown with the ball gripped as for a forkball so that it drops rapidly as it nears the plate
called also split-finger, splitter
Examples of split-fingered fastball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On Thursday, a regression in the sharpness of Tanaka’s best two pitches — a split-finger fastball and a slider — was his biggest downfall.
—
Benjamin Hoffman, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2019
By this logic, wouldn’t white baseball pitchers have an advantage because their light skin helps them disguise the light baseball when throwing a split-finger fastball?
—Mike Bianchi, orlandosentinel.com, 5 Dec. 2019
That’s an impressive feat, considering Darvish throws more than six pitches and his split-finger fastball and hard curve can be difficult to catch.
—Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, 28 Aug. 2019
Domingo German is facing an innings limit, big-game pitcher Masahiro Tanaka has struggled to find his split-finger fastball all season and James Paxton has only just begun to put together consistent starts.
—Kristie Ackert, courant.com, 11 Aug. 2019
Put on 15 pounds and work on a split-finger fastball ...
—Dan Brechlin, courant.com, 2 Aug. 2019
While his standout pitch, the split-finger fastball, has eluded him much of the season, Tanaka has been the Yankees’ most reliable pitcher — a 3.81 E.R.A. over a team-high 111 innings — thanks to secondary pitches and guile.
—James Wagner, New York Times, 14 July 2019
The most noticeable difference, other than varying the speeds on his slider and curve, was the unveiling of his split-finger fastball.
—Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, 13 July 2019
And until Posey’s single, Norwood was deceptively successful thanks to use of a split-finger fastball to complement a sharp slider and 96-mph fastball.
—Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, 12 July 2018
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Benjamin Hoffman, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2019
By this logic, wouldn’t white baseball pitchers have an advantage because their light skin helps them disguise the light baseball when throwing a split-finger fastball?
—Mike Bianchi, orlandosentinel.com, 5 Dec. 2019
That’s an impressive feat, considering Darvish throws more than six pitches and his split-finger fastball and hard curve can be difficult to catch.
—Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, 28 Aug. 2019
Domingo German is facing an innings limit, big-game pitcher Masahiro Tanaka has struggled to find his split-finger fastball all season and James Paxton has only just begun to put together consistent starts.
—Kristie Ackert, courant.com, 11 Aug. 2019
Put on 15 pounds and work on a split-finger fastball ...
—Dan Brechlin, courant.com, 2 Aug. 2019
While his standout pitch, the split-finger fastball, has eluded him much of the season, Tanaka has been the Yankees’ most reliable pitcher — a 3.81 E.R.A. over a team-high 111 innings — thanks to secondary pitches and guile.
—James Wagner, New York Times, 14 July 2019
The most noticeable difference, other than varying the speeds on his slider and curve, was the unveiling of his split-finger fastball.
—Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, 13 July 2019
And until Posey’s single, Norwood was deceptively successful thanks to use of a split-finger fastball to complement a sharp slider and 96-mph fastball.
—Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, 12 July 2018
Articles Related to split-fingered fastball
Dictionary Entries Near split-fingered fastball
Cite this Entry
“Split-fingered fastball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/split-fingered%20fastball. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share