Sinker Grip: How To Grip A Sinker

The sinker grip in baseball is a variation of the 2 seam fastball grip. The sinker is sometimes called a moving or sinking fastball. The sinker is gripped on top of the ball with the narrow seams exposed. This is in contrast to the 4-seam fastball, which must be gripped on the wide seams to get it to travel in a true trajectory with all seams rotating. Both of these fastball pitches are released with backspin. When releasing the sinker, you usually apply pressure against the seam with either the index or middle finger. It's a matter of preference. This imparts the sidespin that causes the ball to drop. Lefthand pitchers like to use this pitch against lefthand hitters because the ball tends to break down and away.