Video summary
In this engaging instructional video from Pitching Ninja X FanDuel featuring host Gab and guest Heimie, the primary focus is on mastering various baseball pitch grips to improve performance for fantasy leagues like FanDuel. The session begins with an examination of fastball techniques, where Heimie initially demonstrates a two-seam grip before learning how to transition into a four-seamer by adjusting his finger placement across the seams. A key lesson highlighted during this segment involves ensuring that fingers are positioned correctly so they can naturally release off the ball upon throwing; if the hand feels too tight or small for the standard grip, using acrylic nails is suggested as an effective alternative to achieve the necessary looseness and spin potential required for a high-velocity fastball.
The tutorial then progresses to breaking down curveball mechanics through different gripping styles, including the spike grip and variations that utilize specific seams to induce downward movement. Heimie explores how positioning one or two fingers over certain stitches can alter the ball's trajectory, while also learning about non-spike methods where the middle finger is placed prominently in front of the seam to generate spin without relying on a deep cut into the leather. The host emphasizes that these grip adjustments should feel natural and comfortable for each individual pitcher, noting that even minor changes like slightly spiking a finger can significantly impact how the ball spins off the hand compared to throwing it straight as a standard fastball.
A special highlight of the video is the introduction of the "Kate Smith Special," which utilizes a modified splitter grip designed specifically to deceive batters by mimicking a four-seam fastball until the very last moment before dropping sharply. This technique requires precise finger placement and a relaxed release, allowing the pitch to maintain its initial velocity while naturally dipping due to the unique seam interaction. The video concludes with an enthusiastic throwing challenge where Heimie attempts to hit high speeds using these new grips; despite some humorous moments involving radar gun readings that seemed lower than expected, both participants agree on having fun and successfully executing their pitches without embarrassing themselves in front of a virtual audience or actual batters.
Read the full video transcript
What's up everybody? It is pitching
ninja here with Gab. It is pitching with
ninja or pitching with Gab.
>> Pitching with Gab.
>> Yeah, pitching with Gab.
Now, we're going to do three different
pitches. So, number one, let's see what
you're working with.
>> Okay.
>> What's your fastball grip look like?
>> I threw a softball fastball like this.
>> Uh-huh.
So, so if you were to throw a fastball
now, like you're
>> like this.
>> Kind of like a two seam Yeah, there we
go.
>> It feels right.
>> Yeah. So, now try to do this. Just
reverse that.
>> Oh, I go like
>> Go four seam.
>> Oh.
>> fingers over here. Like that.
>> Just to get a better grip. Put your
thumb under. You can either tuck your
thumb.
>> Well, I don't think I don't I think my
hand's too small.
>> It Yeah, it might not feel good.
>> Yeah, I know. I don't think I can grab.
>> And get And as best you can't get that
[music] finger off it. So, you you want
to feel like it can naturally come out
of your hand and and you want to feel
like it's coming out with just looser
little looser. Like it's coming out like
that. Like it's
>> are like extending my grip.
>> Yeah, it might The nails might help
actually. I
>> Some acrylics? Yeah.
>> Yeah, totally. Now, let's go over some
pitching mechanics. Let's Number one,
without any without any cues,
pretend you're throwing a pitch
right here.
>> Can I step a little?
>> Uh-huh. You do whatever you want.
And now we're going to work out a little
bit. We've got a rubber here.
>> The Ray-Bans are
>> Ray-Bans are rubber. Now, when you go
in, take a rocker step back with this
foot. Yep. Rocker step. Now, come back
over and try to lift this leg.
Yeah, uh-huh. And now time it with your
throw. Yeah. That's a good
>> My my my outfit is restricting me.
>> But, can I say your arm action may be a
little constricted. Do with what I just
said.
>> Okay. You want to do a four seam
fastball? Fingers closer? Like that?
These two as far off as you can cuz
those only slow the ball down.
>> No one would hit that like 400 feet, but
it's so fine.
Now, let's try curveball.
>> Got it.
>> Let's go spike grip. Like what you did
before.
>> Sorry, I'm tying my top in the back.
>> Now, what do you think a curveball grip
would look like? If you were to try to
make it spin, what do you think what do
you
>> I don't know. Do people go like this or
something?
>> Could be a slider, could be a curveball.
That's okay. One or two, yeah.
>> It's like this?
>> Yeah, so one thing you want to keep in
mind is this seam over here can help
your curveball. So, you want to
>> You guys want to go over that?
Got it.
>> Yeah, so just just when you throw it
naturally go. The other thing you can
work on if that's not comfortable for
you if you can do this, spike your
finger a little bit and do that.
Now, maybe makes it easier to just now
throw it like a fastball.
>> Oh, like that.
>> Yeah, that's it.
>> I go
>> Spike this like that.
>> Ooh, jeez.
>> Or like that. And now just Just see how
hard you can throw it. Remember rocker
step.
Yep.
Okay, now let's do a non-spike one.
Let's try that out. Now just do this
one. Hold it like this and try to get
your Try to do
>> This?
>> Yeah, don't don't use this finger for
almost anything. Just try to get this
middle finger in front of the ball.
>> Now
I'm telling you if I had my LeBron
jersey on right now, I'd have way more
action.
>> So, this is a curve This means a
curveball's coming.
>> Okay.
>> When they're warming up
>> Oh, when they're warming up?
>> Yeah, no, no, no, no, no.
SO, THEY WILL THEY WILL THROW LIKE
FASTBALL.
>> OKAY.
>> Curveball is that. Yep.
>> Okay, here we go.
>> Excellent. Do you have Kate's splitter
grip? We're going to teach you the Kate
Smith special.
>> Okay, I'm ready.
>> We're doing a modified Kate Smith
splitter grip.
>> Mini hand grip?
>> Mini hand grip, but that yeah, that'll
work. And when you let it come off your
finger, let it come off that finger just
a little bit.
>> I go
>> When you throw it, just throw it
straight.
>> Okay.
>> Like that.
>> Throw it.
>> Yeah, this one you do you literally want
to throw a fastball and it will it will
automatically do what it's going to
>> go. Okay.
>> This is for Kate Smith out there. Stu
it. Make him proud.
>> For the Guardians win.
>> [clears throat]
>> Oh, one more one more as hard as you
can. Throw it right through him.
I looked on you one time. Let's see how
you Let's see how fast you throw.
>> Heimie, we have a gun here. How hard are
you going to throw it?
>> I'm saying no faster than 20.
>> You're going to throw faster than 20.
With all the work we put in?
>> We put in a lot of work.
>> With all your hard work.
>> 25.
>> All right, that didn't get There's no
batteries. Hold on, Will.
She did great. I thought it went great.
>> Yeah, I mean, I didn't completely
embarrass myself and I had fun.
>> I'm pretty sure they were all strikes.
Like, they were all swinging strikes.
The radar gun didn't quite get it, but
it might have been 103.
>> Keep your phone on in case you get a
call. Yeah, I mean, I'm sure some teams
could need me.
>> What do you think?