split-fingered fastball

noun

split-fin·​gered fastball ˈsplit-ˈfiŋ-gərd- How to pronounce split-fingered fastball (audio)
: 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
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.
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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for split-fingered fastball

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of split-fingered fastball was in 1979

Rhymes for split-fingered fastball

See All Rhymes for split-fingered fastball

Browse Nearby Words

split fence
split-fingered fastball
split flag
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Split-fingered fastball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/split-fingered%20fastball. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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