split finger fast ball....

The Split finger FB started out as a change-up and "a pitch designed to keep youngsters from throwing breaking balls too early." (see Bob' Cluck's "Play better Baseball" pg 29)

Bob Cluck and Roger Craig developed it in the late 70s at the San Diego School of Baseball.

Pros took it a step further by pushing the ball further between their fingers and throwing it harder. Craig took the pitch to the majors and Detroit in 82. Cluck took it to Houston.

I've also heard the so-called horror stories and know a few years ago the the San Diego Padres were considering preventing all their pitchers from throwing it. UNITL... Dave Stewart came around and taught Kevin Brown and allowed Sterling Hitchcock to throw it along with others in the organization and went to the world series. Now with Dave Smith as Pitching coach, teh Split finger is still a major weapon in most Padre Pitcher's Aresenal.

What I find "funny" is... that for many years (only 10-15 years ago) this pitch was the alternative to CBs for youngsters and now the rumors are that no one should pitch it until college or professional ball. How fast baseball wisdom (or rumour) changes.

I like to look at it this way... If you have a good FB and CB (or slider) and Change...why bother in HS.. You want to leave something in reserve for the next level, and there is enough of a doubt of the risk of the pitch that a prudent pitcher makes sure to learn the pitch from a professional! But, If you have to pull out all stops ... Well that is your decision.