A Complete Guide to Throwing a Perfect Sinker

This article is a A Complete Guide to Throwing a Perfect Sinker. It covers everything from grip and stance, to the release point and follow through. We will also cover some of the most common mistakes that people make when throwing this type of pitch. If you want to learn how to throw a good fastball then read on!

A sinker is a type of fastball pitch. It is named for its sinking action, as the ball sinks more rapidly than a typical fastball. The sinker is thrown with the same arm motion and speed as a fastball, but with a slightly higher release point. This gives the ball backspin, which makes it dip or sink as it approaches the plate. A good sinker will have some added lateral movement, making it difficult for batters to hit.

A perfect sinker is a fastball that has excellent downward movement and minimal lateral movement. This makes it difficult for batters to hit and results in lots of strikeouts and ground balls. The perfect sinker can be used by pitchers to get quick outs and get lots of strikeouts.

Complete Guide to Throwing a Perfect Sinker

There are a few things to keep in mind when pitching a sinker. Grip and stance are very important, as is the release point. You also need to have good control over your fastball so that you can add the extra movement needed for the sinker.

Grip – The grip for a sinker is similar to the grip for a two-seam fastball, but is not identical. The best grip for a sinker can be found in your palms and fingertips rather than the fingers themselves. This will give you better control over the pitch and allow you to have more movement on it.
Stance – Keep your weight back by bending at the knees when pitching a sinker. This will keep you in a good throwing position and give you better leverage on the pitch. You should stand tall with your shoulders squared, but bend forward at the waist to maintain balance while pitching.
Release Point – The release point for this pitch is very important as well. To throw an effective sinker, you need to drop down just a bit more than you would with a normal fastball. This will give the ball backspin and make it sink as soon as it hits the plate.

Gripping the ball for a Sinker’s Pitch.

When gripping the ball for a sinker’s pitch, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, you want to grip the ball with your index and middle fingers on the seams. This will give you more control over the pitch and help it break downward.
Secondly, you want to make sure that your hand is close to your body when you release the ball. This will give it that extra bit of speed needed to make the sinker move downward.
Finally, you want to slightly grip the seams with your thumb. This is called “screwing” the ball and this will also help increase velocity on your pitch.

The more times you practice throwing a sinker’s pitch, the more comfortable you will get with it. When pitching, remember to keep your wrist firm to ensure that the ball is released at high velocity. This will give you an effective sinking fastball!

How to Throw a Sinker Pitch?

When trying to throw a sinker pitch, it’s important to use your fingertips from your fingernails to your fingertips. It will make the pitch more effective and get better movement on the ball.

Also, you should not use a windup when throwing this pitch. A windup will cause the pitch to be higher in the air rather than going straight towards home plate.

To improve your control of this pitch, practice throwing many pitches consecutively at one time while using a target that won’t move around much such as a wall or an unmovable object.

The most common technique for throwing a sinker:

First, you need to find two markers that are twenty feet apart. These two markers should be at the center, and about three feet high up from the ground.
Next, you need to get into a throwing position while standing inside of one of the circles that is twenty feet across.
After this step, start by holding your hands shoulder-width apart and making sure to keep your fingertips under your wrist for maximum power and control when throwing your sinker.
As you prepare to throw it, use a simple pitching motion where you swing forward while taking a step with your front foot while making sure to point it towards the target (two objects that are 20′ apart).
Then bring back your arm in preparation for release, but make sure that you don’t over-rotate your shoulder as you do this or it will affect the movement and control of your pitch.
Finally, release the ball by dropping your elbow and fingers while pushing off with your back foot to generate power. The idea is to have a downward motion when throwing the ball in order to make it move more towards the ground and less in the air.
Repeat steps 2 through 6 until you’ve thrown 20 pitches consecutively, making sure to rotate between both circles so that each one is given an equal amount of opportunity.

After practicing these steps, you should be able to successfully throw a sinker that breaks downwards into the strike zone! Pitchers use different techniques for throwing sinkers depending on their own physical and mental attributes.

Each pitcher needs to find what works best for him or her. Over time you will be able to figure out the inner-mechanics of your own pitching style and improve drastically!

Complete Guide to Throwing a Perfect Sinker

Tips in properly releasing a Sinker’s Pitch

When throwing a sinker, you must release the ball with a downward motion. This will cause it to move more towards the ground and less in the air.

To ensure that you’re releasing the ball correctly, make sure to:

Keep your elbow close to your body when pitching
Drop your fingers and push off with your back foot to generate power
Swing forward while taking a step with your front foot

Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you throw this pitch, the better control and movement you will have on it. As always, consult with a professional pitcher if you’re having trouble mastering this type of pitch.

Now that we’ve gone over the proper technique of throwing a sinking fastball, let’s figure out what type of pitch it is.

What Type of Pitch is the Sinker?

The sinker is considered to be one of many types of fastballs that exist today. Other types include:

Straight fastball (also known as an “ordinary“) – thrown with no spin, the ball will go straight and fast
Two-Seam Fastball – thrown with backspin, this pitch will move towards the ground and is used to get batters out by inducing them to hit a ground ball

The sinker falls under the Two-seam fastball category because it is thrown with backspin. This type of fastball is used to get batters out by inducing them to hit a ground ball.

Types of Fast ball

Four-Seam Fastball – thrown with topspin, it moves in the air and is often used as an “out” pitch
Cut Fastball or “Cutter” – thrown with a lot of cutting action, it moves laterally in the air and is used to disrupt the hitter’s timing
Split-Finger Fastball – thrown with little to no spin, it moves in the air and is used as a change-up pitch
Forkball – thrown with no spin, it moves in the air and is used as a change-up pitch. Literally the slowest fastball around 75 – 85 mph.

The sinking fastball is categorized by the way it moves towards home plate. It’s important to understand that there are different types of sinkers, and not all of them will move in the same direction.

What Makes a Perfect Sinker?

It’s important to understand the different characteristics of a perfect sinker. A good pitcher will be able to control his or her ball movement and location in order to get better results on the mound.

Less vertical movement than a standard fastball
Sinks quickly into the ground, but it should land slightly to the inside of the batters plate
Must have enough speed and back spin
Will have a sudden break just before hitting the plate, forcing hitters to swing early or not at all.

It’s important to have control over your fastball movement if you want to be successful on the pitcher’s mound. Throwing a sinker takes time and practice, but it can be extremely rewarding once you’re able to master this pitch!

Sinker Pitching Deliveries

Pitchers use different postures in order to successfully throw a sinking fastball. The one you choose will depend on your personal abilities and preferences, but here are some popular examples:

The Windup Position

When a pitcher has his pivot foot stepping on the pitching rubber and at least one of his shoulders is facing the batter, he is in the windup. A pitcher may step aside with his free foot or take a step back when starting his delivery from the windup position.

The pitcher then advances his pivot foot in line to the pitching rubber, lifts his free leg, pushes off with his pivot foot, and walks toward home plate to pitch to the catcher.

The Stretch or the Set Position

Another popular pitching delivery is the stretch or set position. When a pitcher assumes this position, he stands with his pivot foot on the rubber and stretches his throwing arm toward first base. His other foot is usually positioned somewhere near the front edge of home plate.

The pitcher then brings his non-pivot foot in front of the pivot foot, bends his knee and hip so that he is in a sitting position, and swings his throwing arm toward the plate. He releases the ball as he comes to a standing position.

Which is suited for a Sinker Pitch?

Pitchers use the stretch position more often when throwing a sinking fastball. This pitching delivery gives them more time and space to get in a good throwing position, which is important for controlling the ball’s movement.

The Windup Position can also be used to throw a sinker, but it may be harder to control your ball movement if you are using it to pitch the sinker.

You can choose between both pitching deliveries when you want your sinking fastball to break slightly toward home plate or away from it. A pitcher’s grip, his arm angle and wrist position all play a role in determining how much movement he will get on this particular pitch.

Advantages of a Sinker Pitch

There are many reasons why a pitcher should learn how to throw a sinker. Here are some of the advantages:

The sinker is an effective pitch to get batters out. It’s a high-velocity throw with major sidespin, which makes it difficult for the hitter to make contact. When combined with a pitcher’s natural motion, this can be an extremely effective pitch!
The sinker moves downwards – this type of pitch has been known to have an average vertical drop of about two feet from release point to home plate.
Another characteristic of the sinker is that it’s thrown with backspin – this will cause the ball to move more towards the ground and less in the air. When combined with a pitcher’s natural motion, this can be an extremely effective pitch!
Have higher chance of a ground ball – when a batter is expecting a high pitch, it’s easier for the ball to sink and head towards the ground rather than be in the air.
Sinkers can help reduce injury risk since they generate more movement and come with major sidespin; this prevents pitchers from taking as many pitches on their arms and increasing their chances of hurting themselves.
A sinker has very little movement in one direction – usually towards the ground. This type of pitch manipulates aerodynamic friction on the ball as it is thrown, making it even harder for hitters to make contact.
Most pitchers use only four pitches: fastball, curveball, slider, changeup. The sinker is another variation on the fastball, and it does not require any new mechanics to be successful.

Tricks in Pitching a Sinker

One of the keys to pitching is anticipating the batter and deceiving him. When you’re throwing a sinker, you can try to deceive the batter by:

throwing a fastball first and then following with a sinker. This will make the batter think that you are going to throw a fastball, and he may start to swing too early.
using different arm motions when you throw your pitches. For example, you can use a windmill motion when you throw your fastball, and then switch to a more compact motion when you throw your sinker. This will make the batter second-guess what type of pitch you’re throwing.
throwing your sinker with a lot of movement. This will make it harder for the batter to hit, and he may start to swing at pitches that are out of the strike zone.
throwing a curveball or slider after your sinker. This will make the batter think that you’re going to throw another sinker, and he may not be ready for a different type of pitch.

When you’re pitching, it’s important to be unpredictable and to keep the batter off balance. By using these tricks, you can increase your chances of getting him out!

Common Mistakes in Sinker Pitch

When throwing a sinker pitch, there are a few common mistakes that can lead to an ineffective pitch.

One mistake is dropping your elbow below your shoulder as you release the ball. This can cause the ball to drop too quickly and not give enough backspin to make it move down in the strike zone.
Another mistake is gripping the ball too tightly, which will reduce its speed and movement. You should grip the ball with a light touch, applying pressure only when you release it.
Finally, another common mistake is pitching from too close to the plate. This will limit the amount of movement on your sinker and make it easier for the batter to hit.

Tips for Perfecting a Sinker Pitch

In order to perfect your sinker pitch, you’ll need to make sure that you have good control over your fastball. You’ll also need to develop a consistent delivery and make sure that you’re able to keep the ball down in the zone.

When throwing a sinker, be sure to use a smooth, fluid motion and focus on driving down and through the ball. Follow these steps to increase your sinker’s effectiveness.

Approach the mound, holding a baseball in one hand and picking up a handful of dirt with the other. Get into your normal pitching position on top of the rubber, oriented toward home plate. Grip the baseball as you would for a regular fastball, using four fingers on the top and your thumb on the bottom.
Take a deep breath, hold it in, and then let it out while you begin to step forward with your lead leg. As you do, push off the ground with your back foot and drive your front shoulder toward the plate. At the same time, flick your wrists to release the ball.
As you let go of the ball, continue your forward momentum and bring your lead leg down so that you’re in a solid fielding position. Your back leg should be bent and your glove should be up and out in front of you, ready to catch the ball.
Practice makes perfect pitching. Pitching motion as often as you can, preferably daily. Don’t wait for a game situation to practice your sinker pitch, but instead use this training session to perfect your form and increase your level of comfort with the pitch.
During an actual game, be sure to mix in some fastballs in order to keep players from sitting back and waiting for sinkers.
Don’t lift too much weight. Heavy lifting can ruin your pitching delivery and mechanics. Stick to a weightlifting program that will help you build muscle without adding bulk. Pitching takes a lot of arm strength. Make sure you’re doing some form of arm strengthening on a regular basis so that you can maintain the velocity on your sinker pitch.
Physical activity can be beneficial. Playing another sport can help you become a better pitcher. Activities such as basketball, tennis, and golf will help improve your hand eye coordination as well as your overall athleticism. This will carry over to the mound and allow you to be more consistent with your sinker pitch.
Before you practice releasing and delivering, practice your stance and grip. When you get really good at your stance and grip, it will be easier to focus on the release and delivery.
Visualize where you want the ball to land. Many pitchers find that visualizing the location of the pitch before they throw it actually helps them to achieve better results. By picturing the ball traveling to its desired destination, you’ll be more likely to hit your mark. A good way to practice this is by using a strike zone target.
Don’t waste pitches. Make sure that you’re not walking hitters, as this will quickly put you in a bad position. Work on throwing strikes and making the hitter hit your pitch. This will help you to stay ahead in the count and give you more opportunities to use your sinker.

How to counter a Sinker Pitch?

If a batter knows that you’re going to throw a sinker, they may try to anticipate the pitch and hit it before it has a chance to sink.

There are a few different ways to counter a sinker pitch.

The first is to simply hit it out before it start to drop. A home run will easily get the job done, especially if the ball is pitched in a location where it’s difficult for the catcher to catch it.
The batter can try bunting the ball. If they can get the bat on the ball and place it in a good location, they may be able to reach first base safely.
Another way to counter a sinker is to take a big swing and miss. If you can’t make solid contact with the ball, the pitcher will likely become frustrated and start making mistakes. Take advantage of these mistakes and put the ball in play.
Finally, you can also try to hit the ball on the ground. This is often the best option, as it increases your chances of reaching base safely. Be sure to stay compact and make good contact with the ball.

In order to counteract this, you’ll need to be able to throw other pitches that will make the hitter hesitate.

Overhand Curveball

The best way to go about throwing an overhand curveball is by holding the ball with your thumb on top and your four fingers underneath. When you release the ball, snap your wrist to create the rotation. This pitch will move down and away from a right-handed hitter.

In order to throw a good overhand curveball, you’ll need to have strong wrists and fingers that can create enough snap for rotation as well as downward movement away from a right-handed batter. Over time, this pitch will be easier to control if it’s thrown with proper mechanics.

Many pitchers find success throwing one overhand curveball and one underhand sinker. This will help to keep the hitter guessing and off balance, as they’ll have a tough time anticipating what pitch you’re going to throw next!

FAQs

Are there any drawbacks?

Like any other pitch, the sinker has some drawbacks that you need to be aware of. The main drawback is that it’s a difficult pitch to control. If you’re not able to throw it with consistent accuracy, the batter will start to lay off of it and it will become less effective.

Another drawback is that it can be tough on your arm. The sinker requires a lot of power to throw and puts extra stress on your shoulder and elbow. If you’re not used to throwing this pitch, it can lead to arm fatigue and increase your chances of getting injured.

Although the sinker has some drawbacks, it’s still an effective pitch that can help you get batters out!

Is it difficult to learn?

No, the sinker is not a very complicated pitch. It’s just another variation of your fastball that you can throw in order to get batters off-balance and increase your chances for success. If you practice throwing this pitch often with proper form, then it will be an easy addition to your pitching arsenal.

So, if you’re looking to add another weapon to your pitching arsenal, the sinker is a great option! It’s an easy pitch to learn and can be very effective in getting batters out. Use these tips to help you master this pitch and become a more successful pitcher!

What happens if I accidentally overthrow the sinker?

Overthrowing a pitch can cause problems with your accuracy and control. In addition, it can also lead to decreased velocity and increased movement on the ball making it easy for batters to hit it. Be sure to focus on throwing strikes with your sinker and don’t try to overpower the pitch.

What if I can’t throw the ball hard enough to make it spin?

In order for the sinker to be effective, you need to be able to throw it with some power. If you don’t have a lot of arm strength, your pitch will lose velocity and movement. Work on developing more arm strength so that you can throw the sinker with more authority.

What if I can’t control the ball?

If you’re having trouble controlling your sinker, make sure that you’re using proper form and following these tips. Also, be sure to practice often so that you can improve your accuracy and consistency. With enough practice, you’ll be able to improve your accuracy and become a more successful pitcher.

Conclusion

So, the sinker is a great pitch to throw when you’re looking for an effective way to get batters off balance. It’s not a difficult pitch to learn, but it does require some practice in order to improve your accuracy and control. Use these tips to help you master the sinker and become a more successful pitcher!

With enough practice and some tips from this article, it won’t be long until you master this pitch! Thanks for reading! Be sure to check out our other pitching articles for more helpful tips and information. As always, feel free to leave a comment below with any questions or concerns!