What is the differenc between a 2 steam fastball and a 4 steam ?

Question

is it the control?

finger placement?

Answer 1

as the ball spins towards home plate, two seams rotate forward for a 2 seam v.s. 4 for a 4 seamer (the ball is turned about 90 degrees)

check out the link for 2 seam specifics, hopefull it'll clarify what i said

Answer 2

2 seam= less velocity, more movement

4 seam= more velocity, less movement

Answer 3

both. well, the grip determines the movement.  the ball will move differently depending on how you hold it.  2 seams tend to move in a on a righty.  4 seamer tails away.  hope this helps.

Answer 4

wow......do you mean seam?

Answer 5

steam?

ha-ha-ha-ha-ha

not luaghing at you but the joke!

Answer 6

Edit: I was way off. Here from wikipedia:

A four-seam fastball, also called a rising fastball or a cross-seam fastball, is a pitch in baseball. It is a member of the fastball family. This pitch is gripped across the seams, in contrast to the two-seam fastball which is gripped along the seams.[1]

Answer 7

A four-seam is first two fingers going across the horseshoe shape in the seam, so there are 4 points where your fingers are touching a seam.  This pitch, if thrown hard enough will rise a little bit because of the backspin and the two horseshoe shapes on the ball constantly catching air from that backspin.  A two seam is where you run your first two fingers along the tips of the horse shoes.  This pitch does not rise that much because there will be only the two seams on the bottom of the ball catching air.

Answer 8

ok none of these other answers seem like they know what they are talking about.

the difference is the way you place your fingers on the ball.

they are meant to do different things.

a 2-seam fastball will tend to move more then a 4 seam

if youre left handed  (like me) then it moves away from a right handed batter.

if youre right handed then it moves in on a right handed batter.

a 4 seam fastball is easier to control.

a 2 seam fastball is taught to better pitchers beacause it is more effective