What is a Baseball Pitch?
A baseball pitch is the act of throwing a baseball with the aim of getting the opposing batter to either swing and miss or make weak contact with the ball. The pitcher will use a combination of speed, movement and location to try and fool the batter into making bad contact. The pitch is usually thrown from the pitching mound located 60 feet 6 inches from the back of home plate.
Types of Baseball Pitches
There are many different types of pitches a pitcher can throw. Some of the most common pitches include the fastball, curveball, slider, changeup and knuckleball.
Fastball: The fastball is usually thrown with maximum velocity and is the most common type of pitch. It is thrown straight and can be thrown with different speeds.
Curveball: The curveball is a pitch that is thrown with a lot of spin and breaks in the opposite direction of the fastball. It is usually thrown with less velocity than the fastball and can be used to deceive the batter.
Slider: The slider is a pitch that is thrown with a lot of spin and breaks in the same direction as the fastball. It is usually thrown with less velocity than the fastball and can be used to deceive the batter.
Changeup: The changeup is a pitch that is thrown with less velocity than a fastball and is used to deceive the batter. It is thrown with a lot of spin and breaks in the opposite direction of the fastball.
Knuckleball: The knuckleball is a pitch that is thrown with very little spin and can be difficult to hit. It is usually thrown with less velocity than the fastball and can be used to deceive the batter.
How to Throw a Baseball Pitch
Throwing a pitch is not something that can be learned overnight. It requires practice and dedication to master the art of throwing a pitch.
Gripping the Ball
The first step to throwing a pitch is to grip the ball correctly. The grip will depend on the type of pitch being thrown, as each type of pitch requires a different grip.
- Fastball – Four-seam grip
- Curveball – Two-seam grip
- Slider – Three-fingers grip
- Changeup – Palm grip
- Knuckleball – Knuckled grip
Pitching Motion
The pitching motion is the sequence of movements the pitcher makes when throwing a pitch. The motion usually consists of the windup, the stride, the release, and the follow-through.
- Windup – The pitcher winds up by raising the pitching arm and bringing the elbow back.
- Stride – The pitcher then takes a step forward with the non-pitching foot and brings the pitching arm forward.
- Release – The pitcher then releases the pitch by snapping the wrist and pushing off with the non-pitching foot.
- Follow-through – The pitcher then follows through with the pitch by bringing the arm forward and down.
Control
Once the pitcher has mastered the basics of throwing a pitch, the next step is to learn how to control the pitch. Control is the ability to throw a pitch with accuracy and consistency. To do this, the pitcher must practice their delivery and hone their mechanics.
Location
Once the pitcher has mastered the basics of throwing a pitch and has developed good control, the next step is to learn how to locate the pitch. The pitcher must be able to locate the pitch in different parts of the strike zone. To do this, the pitcher must practice their delivery and be able to make adjustments to their release point.
Speed and Movement
Once the pitcher has mastered the basics of throwing a pitch, the next step is to learn how to control the speed and movement of the pitch. The speed and movement of the pitch will depend on the type of pitch being thrown.
A fastball is usually thrown with maximum velocity and is intended to be thrown straight. A curveball is usually thrown with less velocity than the fastball and is intended to break in the opposite direction of the fastball. A slider is usually thrown with less velocity than the fastball and is intended to break in the same direction as the fastball. A changeup is usually thrown with less velocity than the fastball and is intended to break in the opposite direction of the fastball. A knuckleball is usually thrown with very little spin and is intended to break unpredictably.
Mental Preparation
In order to throw a successful pitch, the pitcher must also be mentally prepared. The pitcher must have confidence in their ability and be able to focus on the task at hand.
Practice
Finally, the pitcher must practice their delivery and hone their mechanics. The pitcher must also practice their control, location and speed and movement of the pitch.
Conclusion
Throwing a successful pitch requires practice and dedication. The pitcher must master the basics of throwing a pitch and develop good control, location and speed and movement of the pitch. The pitcher must also be mentally prepared and have confidence in their ability. With practice and dedication, the pitcher can become a successful pitcher.