If you’re new to baseball or just want to learn a little bit more about the sport, it’s important to get started with one of the essential maneuvers: the pitch. There are different types of pitches, each of which has its specific advantages. Here’s what you should know about some of them.

Different Types of Baseball Pitches

1. Four-Seam Fastball

The four-seam fastball is all about delivering intense power to strike out the hitter. It’s the fastest of all fastball types and is typically thrown in the range of at least 100 miles per hour in the professional league. This ball is released hard, fast, and straight, with little movement. Because it’s so speedy, hitters typically don’t have enough speed or time to respond, especially when the ball is perfectly placed higher up in the hitting zone.

2. Curveball

The curveball is a type of breaking ball or one that has a lot of spin on it. When released, the ball travels to the plate with a forward-facing spin, a maneuver that shifts the ball in a dramatic downward direction. These aren’t necessarily thrown with great speed, which can fool hitters who are trying to determine velocity when timing their swing. It’s often used as the final pitch to strike out hitters because it’s one that’s particularly easy to miss.

3. Slider

Another breaking ball is the slider. It’s an exceptionally quick, sharp, and drastic pitch that is tough for hitters to strike. What makes them particularly brutal for the batting team is that they are often difficult to pinpoint right away. Sliders can resemble fastballs, making it even trickier for the hitter to identify quickly. That leads to a slower response to a ball that comes fast, and that often requires a very sudden, specific aim to hit.

4. Forkball

Forkballs are off-speed pitches. They’re used to throw hitters off and make it difficult for them to find the proper timing to hit the ball. It’s called a “fork” because the pitcher grips the ball with split fingers. As the ball is released, it essentially slides out of hand and makes its journey to the plate before moving vertically ever so slightly. In general, it travels without rotating.

5. Knuckleball

Among the most challenging pitches is the knuckleball. Usually, pitchers place their grip on the ball’s seams before throwing, but the knuckleball doesn’t require that. The way it’s executed allows the ball to almost wobble unpredictably through the air as it travels to the plate. It’s especially challenging for players to strike because it doesn’t rotate, unlike the average pitch that spins very robustly.
 

Are you ready to boost your baseball know-how? Visit The Hitting Zone in O’Fallon, MO. The athletic club offers everything you need to improve your game, including batting cages and access to some of the area’s most qualified coaches and hitting instructors. Visit the website for more information, or call (636) 272-1015 to speak with a representative.