Editing Fastball (section)

===Four-seam fastball===
{{main|Four-seam fastball}}
{{tone|section|date=June 2017}}
[[File:Three fastballs.gif|thumb|320x320px|Spin of 3 four-seam-fastballs thrown by [[Paul Skenes]], [[Bailey Ober]], and [[James Karinchak]] respectively, from the catcher's perspective.]]
The '''four-seam fastball''' is the most common variant of the fastball. The pitch is used often by the [[pitcher]] to get ahead in the count or when he needs to throw a [[strike (baseball)|strike]]. This type of fastball is intended to have minimal lateral movement, relying more on its velocity and vertical 'rising' movement. It is typically the fastest pitch a pitcher throws, with recorded top speeds above {{cvt|100|mph|m/s}}. Two general methods are used to throw a four-seam fastball. The first and most traditional way is to find the horseshoe seam area, or the area where the seams are the furthest apart. Keeping those seams parallel to the body, the pitcher places his index and middle fingers perpendicular to them with the pads on the furthest seam from him. The thumb then rests underneath the ball about in the middle of the two fingers. With this grip, the thumb will generally have no seam on which to rest.[[File:Four-Seem Fastball.gif|thumb|200px|An animated diagram of a four-seam fastball]]

The four-seam fastball is widely regarded as the main key to advancing to the next level of play. One of a baseball scout's main criteria when scouting a prospect is how fast he throws a four-seam fastball.