What Are the Movements of Pitches?

Many different pitching strategies exist in baseball, but ultimately the goal of each one is the same, deceive the hitter. The pitcher throws the ball using multiple methods to produce varying movements and speeds on its way to the plate. A pitcher does not have to be able to throw many pitches to be successful, however he must master at least two. And the position from which the pitcher releases the ball is just as important as the type of pitch that he throws.

  1. Curveball

    • The curveball is often the second pitch that the pitcher employs. Only experienced pitchers who have reached physical maturity and strengthened their arms should throw this pitch. When the curveball enters the hitting zone, it achieves speeds slightly below a fastball and is moving downwards. Often, pitchers throw curveballs that move only slightly as they approach the plate, causing the hitter to avoid swinging on a viable pitch. The primary strategy behind the movement of the curveball is deception (see reference 3).

    Slider

    • The slider mirrors the curveball, however the ball moves with more velocity through the air and shifts to one side or the other horizontally rather than moving downward. This pitch resembles a fastball to the hitter, who swings at it only to find that it has moved to either side once it approaches the plate, resulting in a strike (see reference 3).

    Fastball

    • The fastball is baseball's common pitch, and there are two variations.The four-seam fastball produces the most velocity of any pitch but provides little movement. Its lack of movement also makes it easiest to control. The two-seam fastball causes the ball to move in the direction of the throwing hand side of the strike zone. This horizontal movement is called “tailing.” However, this movement reduces the speed of the pitch, making it a 1-3 mph slower than a four-seam fastball. When throwing either fastball pitch, a major pitcher launches the ball at speeds that reach the high-80s to low-90s. Sometimes, however, this pitch exceeds 95 miles per hour (see reference 2).

    Changeup

    • The changeup is baseball’s primary deceptive pitch. While the movement of the ball makes the changeup merely a slow fastball, it produces more movement on its way to the plate, unlike the fastball which has a straight trajectory. The hitter attempts to hit a fastball, but the ball is moving much more slowly than it appears. By moving only five mph slower than the average fastball, the changeup reaches the plate just late enough to result in a strike (see reference 3).

    Forkball

    • The forkball requires advanced technique. Most pitchers wait until they have mastered basic pitches such as the fastball before taking on this more challenging pitch (see reference 3). The forkball is ideal for pitchers with large hands, since the pitcher keeps the ball deep within his palms as he throws, resulting in downward movement. This throw does not have the backspin of a fastball (see reference 1).