Baseball Pitches Explained – Fastballs, Changeups, and More

Whether you’re a baseball player or a fan, understanding the different types of pitches is key to appreciating the game. In this blog post, we’ll explain the basics of fastballs, changeups, and more.

Fastballs

Most pitchers throw some variation of a fastball, which is the basic type of pitch thrown in baseball. A fastball is a pitch that is thrown very fast, usually around 90-100 miles per hour for a right-handed pitcher (lefties tend to throw a bit slower). The speed of the pitch makes it very difficult for hitters to hit the ball squarely with the bat, and therefore results in a lot of strikeouts. Hitters will often try to hit fastballs early in the count before they get behind in the count and have to defend against other harder-to-hit pitches.

Changeups

A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball The changeup is the slowest pitch that a pitcher can throw, and is also known as a off-speed pitch. The idea behind the changeup is to thrown an opposite pitch to what the batter is expecting. So, if a right-handed pitcher is going to throw a curveball, they will cock their wrist clockwise; when they go to throw the changeup, they will cock their wrist counterclockwise. This deception makes it hard for the batter to hit the ball

Sliders

Sliders
A slider is a pitch that is meant to deceive the batter. It looks like a fastball, but it breaks down and away from a right-handed batter or in and away from a left-handed batter. It’s important to grip the baseball correctly when throwing a slider The ball should be held across the seams, and the thumb and middle finger should be placed on either side of the ball, slightly off-center. The pinky finger and ring finger should be tucked underneath the baseball. When thrown correctly, a slider will spin quickly and break sharply.

Curveballs

A curveball is a type of pitch in baseball that is thrown with spin so that it curves while in the air. It is slower than a fastball and breaks away from a batter who hits it. Curveballs are typically thrown by pitchers who also throw fastballs, as the two pitches can look the same at first but then break in opposite directions.

There are two types of curveballs, bases on how they break. A vertical curveball drops down as it approaches the plate, while a horizontal curveball moves from side to side. Vertical curveballs are also called sliders, while horizontal curveballs are also called cambios.

Pitchers who throw curveballs typically use a range of speeds and spins to keep batters guessing. The most common grip for a curveball is the three-finger grip, but there are also two-finger and four-finger grips. Curveballs can be thrown using different arm motions, such as an overhand or sidearm motion.

To throw a curveball, the pitcher holds the ball with the seams running across his fingers and puts his index and middle fingers close together with his thumb on top of the ball. He then snaps his wrist to generate spin on the ball and releases it high in the strike zone As the ball moves through the air, gravity and friction cause it to spin more quickly and drop down towards the plate.

The key to throwing a successful curveball is to make sure that you snap your wrist at exactly the right moment – too early or too late and the pitch will not have enough spin to make it break properly. Pitchers who throw curves often spend hours practicing their technique so that they can master this perfect timing.

Sinkers

Sinkers are a type of fastball that is designed to, well, sink. Sinkers have a lot of vertical movement, which makes them tough for batters to hit. They’re also great for inducing ground balls which can be helpful if you’re trying to get out of a jam.

Splitter

A splitter is a type of fastball that is gripped and thrown like a fastball, but with the middle finger close to the seam instead of across the seam (as with a four-seam fastball). The result is similar to a forkball or cut fastball. The ball doesn’t spin as much and tends to drop suddenly when it reaches home plate making it hard for hitters to adjust.

Knuckleball

The knuckleball is one of the most unique pitches in baseball, and it can be very effective if thrown correctly. This pitch is thrown with the fingertips near the top of the baseball, and the index and middle fingers are extended straight out. The thumb is positioned underneath the ball. When the ball is released, the wrist snaps downward, causing the ball to spin. This spin makes the ball appear to rise and fall as it approaches the batter, making it very difficult to hit.

Cutter

Cutter is a type of fastball that is grips slightly off-center, resulting in spin that makes the ball veer away from the batter just before it reaches the plate. It is often thrown by pitchers who also throw a four-seam fastball, as the cutter can appear to be a four-seam fastball at first, only to break at the last second. The cutter is generally considered to be a more effective pitch against right-handed hitters, as it breaks away from them, while lefties tend to have more success against it due to the way it breaks.

Screwball

A screwball is a type of fastball pitch that is thrown with reverse spin, causing it to travel in the opposite direction of a traditional fastball. It is one of the most difficult pitches to control and throwing it correctly takes a great deal of practice.

The screwball gets its name from the way it is thrown – the ball must be cupped in the hand and then released so that it spins like a screw as it travels towards the batter. This spin causes the ball to “break” or change directions in mid-air, making it very difficult for hitters to predict where it will end up.

Although typically thrown by right-handed pitchers, there are a few lefties who have mastered the screwball and use it to great effect. Warren Spahn one of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball history was known for his screwball and used it to help him win many games.

If you are a pitcher who is trying to learn how to throw a screwball, be aware that it is a very difficult pitch to master. It takes a lot of practice and even more patience to perfect. But if you can learn how to throw this elusive pitch correctly, you will give hitters fits and may find yourself with a new secret weapon in your pitching arsenal.

Palmball

The Palmball is a type of fastball pitch in baseball. The pitch is griped like a two-seam fastball, but instead of the ball sitting in the fingers, it rests in the palm of the hand. The pitcher then pushes off the mound with his index and middle finger bent inward to create topspin on the ball.