What is a Pitch?
In baseball, a pitch is a throw from the pitcher to the catcher, usually with the goal of getting the batter to swing and miss, or at least make weak contact with the ball. This pitch is usually what people think of when they hear the term “pitch” in baseball.
Types of Pitches
There are a variety of different types of pitches that a pitcher can throw. The most common types are the fastball, curveball, slider, changeup, knuckleball, and split-finger fastball. Each of these pitches has its own unique characteristics and trajectory.
The Fastball
The fastball is the most common pitch in baseball. It is thrown with the most velocity and is the pitch that most batters try to hit. It is thrown with a four-seam grip and the pitcher tries to throw it as fast as possible. Fastballs can be thrown at different speeds and can be thrown with different types of movement.
The Curveball
The curveball is the second most common pitch in baseball and is thrown with a two-seam grip. It is thrown with a snapping motion and is designed to break downward as it approaches the plate. This pitch is usually used to get the batter to swing and miss as the ball breaks away from the batter’s swing path.
The Slider
The slider is a pitch that is thrown with a two-seam grip and is designed to break away from the batter as it approaches the plate. It is usually thrown with more velocity than a curveball but with less velocity than a fastball. It is used to disrupt the batter’s timing and to make them swing and miss.
The Changeup
The changeup is a pitch that is thrown with a two-seam grip and is designed to look like a fastball out of the pitcher’s hand. It is thrown with less velocity than a fastball, but with a similar trajectory. It is used to disrupt the batter’s timing and to make them swing and miss.
The Knuckleball
The knuckleball is a pitch that is thrown with a knuckle grip and is designed to move erratically as it approaches the plate. It is usually thrown with less velocity than a fastball and is used to disrupt the batter’s timing and make them swing and miss.
The Split-Finger Fastball
The split-finger fastball is a pitch that is thrown with a split-finger grip and is designed to break downward as it approaches the plate. It is usually thrown with more velocity than a curveball but with less velocity than a fastball. It is used to disrupt the batter’s timing and to make them swing and miss.
Conclusion
The most common type of pitch in baseball is the fastball. It is thrown with the most velocity and is the pitch that most batters try to hit. It is thrown with a four-seam grip and the pitcher tries to throw it as fast as possible. Other common pitches include the curveball, slider, changeup, knuckleball, and split-finger fastball. Each of these pitches has its own unique characteristics and trajectory, and is used to disrupt the batter’s timing and make them swing and miss.
Key Takeaways
- A pitch is a throw from the pitcher to the catcher in baseball.
- The most common type of pitch in baseball is the fastball, which is thrown with the most velocity and is the pitch that most batters try to hit.
- Other common types of pitches include the curveball, slider, changeup, knuckleball, and split-finger fastball.
- Each pitch has its own unique characteristics and trajectory, and is used to disrupt the batter’s timing and make them swing and miss.