The Best Types of Pitches

When you're a pitcher in baseball, the more types of pitches you can effectively throw, the better. Although almost all pitchers have a specialty pitch, they might choose to throw different pitches in various situations. For example, certain pitches work best when a pitcher would like a ground-ball out. Others work best when pitchers need a strike out.

  1. Fastball

    • The fastball is one of the most common pitches thrown and a favorite to throw when pitchers need a strikeout. For example, the best power pitchers can throw fastballs in the high 90 mph range, overpowering batters with the pitch. There are two types of fastballs: two-seamers and four-seamers. Four-seamers are thrown more powerfully because they are gripped loosely, allowing it to leave the hand with less friction. Two-seam fastballs are generally 1 to 3 mph slower than four-seamers because they're gripped tighter. It's not uncommon for two-seamers to show a bit of movement, either.

    Curveball

    • The curveball is a good pitch to learn how to throw, because, when executed correctly and located properly, it can be one of the most challenging pitches for hitters to read. Unlike a fastball, which spins from bottom to top, curveballs spin from top to bottom, giving it its movement. This breaking ball can trick hitters into thinking the ball will be located in a particular area, then curve away from the area at the last second. It can be an ideal strikeout pitch if pitchers find themselves ahead in the count.

    Slider

    • The slider is a popular and deceiving strikeout pitch. Initially it appears to be a fastball, but then, if thrown correctly, will feature a late break and slide out of the strike zone. So batters thinking fastball can swing and miss the pitch altogether. The slider was one of former Major League Baseball player Jeremy Bonderman's specialty pitches. It was typically thrown when he was ahead in the count or when he wanted to throw a strikeout.

    Sinker

    • The sinker ball is a pitch commonly thrown when a pitcher is trying to get a ground ball out or turn a double play. Fitting to the name, when thrown properly, the sinker starts off in the strike zone, then has a late break so that the ball drops out of the strike zone and out of the hitter's sweet spot. If the hitter makes contact with the ball, chances are it will either go foul or result in a ground ball that can be fielded for an out.