Q&A for How to Throw a Sinker

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Question

When is the best time to throw it?

Community Answer

When the batter is least expecting it, or if the batter likes the ball high. You should throw a sinker to trick the batter.

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Question

How do I get horizontal movement?

Trevor Gentry

Community Answer

More sidespin. You may also want to work on your release point. Try leading your pitch with your thumb forward like a circle change.

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Question

What pitch best sets up the sinker?

Community Answer

The fastball.

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Question

What will it look like when I throw it?

Community Answer

The sinker will look like a fastball, then just drop.

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Question

How old should I be to throw this pitch? Will it have any negative side effects?

Community Answer

There isn't an age where you should throw a sinker. It does put a lot of strain on your arm and wrist because all the motion is in your wrist and your velocity is in your upper arm. It's good to learn how to throw more advanced pitches so you can get used to throwing them; more pitch variety is better.

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Question

Can I learn how to throw a sinker even if I've never played baseball until now? (I'm 15.)

Community Answer

Yes, I never played a day of baseball until I started high school and I was the ace pitcher my sophomore year. It just takes practice, the more you throw, the better your sinker will be.

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Question

Can I be a sidearm and throw a sinker?

Community Answer

Yes, it is actually better this way because then the pronation of the wrist is more natural to the arm slot.

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Question

Can I make it drop without topspin?

Community Answer

Yes, with a knuckle ball. Hold it like a fastball and plant the tips of your fingers on the laces. Don't throw the ball, you want to push the ball away.

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Question

What age is appropriate for trying this pitch?

Community Answer

Any age, although you may want to wait until you're more experienced with basic throws.

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Question

Is it good for my arm to throw a sinker?

Community Answer

As long as you throw the sinker as it is supposed to be thrown (like a fastball), then you will be OK.

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Question

Does the alternative sinker have the same amount of movement as the regular?

Community Answer

No, a normal sinker would run a little towards the throwing arm side of the pitcher, while the alternative one would just sink like a fast changeup.

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Question

How fast will it go?

Community Answer

It will go a little slower than a 2 seam fast ball. The spin slows it down. It's just like a curve ball.

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Question

How do I make the ball sinks more? It seems like less spin is better to make a sinker sink.

joshcueva

Community Answer

Have more throwing delay and swing your arm more downward, but also grip right and control right.

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Question

How much should the sinker drop?

Antoine Pelletier

Community Answer

A good 85 - 90 MPH sinker will drop almost 2 feet down and a bit inside (compare to a 4-seam fast ball trajectory). This doesn't seem like much, but take into account that gravity has very little effect on a ball going this fast in a 60-foot range; a little break is devastating at such speed.

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Question

Is it bad for my arm to throw a sinker?

Community Answer

No. A sinker is a glorified two-seam fastball. If you put pressure on your two fingers on top, the ball will naturally sink down and in.

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Question

Will the ball curve or slide when it drops, or does it go straight down?

Community Answer

If you are right handed, the ball will sink down and into right handed batters, and away from lefties. If you are left handed, it will sink down and into left handed hitters, and away from righties.

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Question

Should I flick my wrist when I throw a sinker?

Community Answer

If thrown properly, you naturally will have wrist action. When paying catch, it's good to practice flicking your wrist then snapping back as a reminder. Then when you're actually pitching, you'll have good wrist action without thinking about it.

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